Jainism and Buddhism- Origin, Teachings, History, Sects, Differences and Similarities

In the 6^th century, new religious ideas were emerging due to the prevailing social, economic, and religious conditions. In this period, Buddhism and Jainism emerged as one of the most popular religions. Buddha and Mahavira tried to find a solution to human suffering in their own way.

Emergence of Jainism and Buddhism

The society was divided into four Varnas and each Varna was allowed to do well-defined jobs based on their birth.

Contemporary economic and political developments helped in the emergence of new social groups which acquired considerable economic power. Kshatriyas, whether in the monarchies or in the gana-samghas, came to wield much more political power than before.

The varna system has generated tension in society and Kshatriyas have reacted strongly against Brahmana’s domination.

Origin of Buddhism

• Buddhism was founded by Gautama Buddha. It flourished in Sri Lanka and Southeast Asia.
• Gautam Buddha belongs to the Sakya clan and he was born in 566 B.C in Lumbini in Nepal.
• His father’s name was Suddhodana and his mother was Maya, princess of the Koliya clan.
• Gautam Buddha’s original name was Siddhartha. He left his home to seek knowledge and the true meaning of life, which is known as Mahabhinishkramana.
• Siddhartha attained supreme knowledge (Enlightenment) on the 49th day of his continuous meditation after that he became the Buddha (the enlightened one) at Bodh Gaya in Bihar.
• Gautam Buddha gave his first sermon at Deer Park at Sarnath near Varanasi. It is known as 'Dharmachakrapravartana'.
• Buddha died at the age of around 80 between 486-483 B.C. in Kushinagar (Mahaparinirvana).

Buddhist Philosophy

• Buddhism emphasized the law of 'karma' and Buddha said that the condition of a man in his life depends upon his own actions.
• He explains the concept of Nirvana and refers to it as extinguishing the fire of greed, hatred and delusion.
• Buddha (the exemplar), Dharma (doctrine) and Sangha (Commune) are the three jewels of Buddhism.
• Buddha emphasized the 'ahimsa' (non-killing) and the teaching of Buddha was liberal and democratic in approach.
• Buddha rejected the authority of the Vedas and the concept of animal sacrifices.
•  Buddhism is unique in denying the existence of a soul or atman. 
• Almost all the sects of Buddhism do not believe in the myth of God.
• The basic teachings of Buddha are contained in Four Noble Truths and Eight Fold Path.
• Four Noble Truths:
  • The Truth of suffering- Life is full of suffering
  • The Truth of cause of suffering- Desire is the cause of suffering
  • The Truth of the end of Suffering- There is a way to end suffering by ending desires 
  • The Truth of the path to end the suffering- If one follows the Eightfold path (Ashtangikamarg), enlightenment can be achieved.
• Eightfold path (Ashtangikamarg):
  • Right Understanding
  • Right Intent
  • Right Speech
  • Right Action
  • Right Livelihood
  • Right Effort
  • Right Mindfulness
  • Right Concentration

Buddhist Councils

Since the death of Gautam Buddha, the sanghas (Buddhist monastic communities) convened meetings from time to time to compile the teachings of Buddha and resolve disputes among the followers of Buddha. These meetings came to be known as Buddhist councils. 

Buddhist Councils held during the different centuries have changed the course of Buddhism.

First Buddhist Council

The First Buddhist Council was held in 483 B.C. in the Saptapmi cave near Rajagriha.

Mahakassapa was the Chairman of the First Buddhist Council. It was organized under the patronage of Ajatashatru (Haryanka dynasty).

At this council, Vinaya Pitaka (monastic codes) and Sutta Pitaka (Buddha teachings) were compiled by Mahkassapa and Ananda respectively.

Second Buddhist Council

The Second Buddhist Council was held at Vaisali in 383 B.C. in Vaishali (in present-day Bihar).

The council ended with the permanent split of the Buddhist order into Sthaviravadins (Theravada Buddhism- who wanted to preserve the teachings of Buddha in their original form) and Mahasangikas (interpreted teachings of Buddha more liberally).

It was held under the Chairmanship of Sabbakami under the patronage of Kalashoka (Sishunaga dynasty).

Third Buddhist Council

The third Council was held at Pataliputra during the reign of Ashoka (Mauryan dynasty).

It was held in 250 B. C under the chairmanship of Moggaliputta Tissa.

At this council, Abhidhamma Pitaka was collected.

Fourth Buddhist Council

The fourth Council was held during the reign of Kanishka in Kundalvan, Kashmir in 98 AD.

The council was presided over by Vasumitra and Ashvaghosha.

Abhidhamma Pitaka was translated from Prakrit to Sanskrit.

At this council, Buddhists were divided into Hinayans (lesser vehicle) and Mahayans (greater vehicle).

Schools of Buddhism/ Sects of Buddhism

Hinayana sect

Its followers believed in the original teaching of Buddhism and they don’t believe in Idol worship.

The oldest school of Hinayana Buddhism is Sthaviravada.

Its scriptures are in Pali and believes that Salvation can be achieved through self-discipline and meditation.

Mahayana sect

It introduced the idea of a deity in Buddhism.

Its scriptures are in Sanskrit and it believes that Salvation can be achieved by means of faith and devotion to the mindfulness of the Buddha.

They believed in the concept of Bodhisattvas i.e. one who defers his own salvation in order to work for the salvation of others.

Theravada sect

It is the oldest and most orthodox school of Buddhism.

It was mainly prevalent in Sri Lanka (Ceylon), Myanmar (Burma), and Thailand.

Vajrayana sect

It believes that salvation can be attained by acquiring magical powers called vajra.

It emerged in the 11^th century CE in Tibet and became popular in Eastern India.

Buddhist literature

The earliest Buddhist literature was written in Pali. Buddhist literature can be divided into the canonical and the non-canonical.

The canonical literature is represented by the “Tripitakas”.

Tripitaka:

“Tripitakas”, that is, three baskets - Vinaya Pitaka, Sutta Pitaka and Abhidhamma Pitaka. It is an ancient term for collections of Buddhist sacred scriptures.

a. Vinay Pitaka: It contains rules and regulations of daily life.

b. Sutta Pitaka: It is a collection of Buddha’s sayings.

c. Abhidhamma Pitaka: It deals with philosophy and metaphysics.

Jatakas: Jatakas are the most interesting stories on the previous births of the Buddha. It was written in Pali and each birth story is called a Jatak.

Mahavamsa: It describes the founding era of Theravada Buddhism in Sri Lanka. It's a historical poem written in Pali.

Buddhacharita: It is an epic poem about the life of Buddha written in Sanskrit by Ashvaghosha in the early 2nd century AD. 

Milindapanho: It is a compilation of dialogues between the Indo-Greek King Menander I or Milinda of Bactria and the Buddhist sage Nagasena (around 100 BC).

Origin of Jainism

• Twenty-four Tirthankaras were responsible for the origin and development of the Jaina religion and philosophy.
• The first Tirthankaras was Rishabhadev represented by the Symbol Bull.
• Vardhmana Mahavira was the 24^th Tirthankara or great teacher of Jainism.
• Mahavira was born in Kundagrama near Vaishali in Bihar in 540 B.C. He was a member of the Kshatriya clan. His father’s name was Siddhartha and his mother’s name was Trishala, a Lichchhavi princess.
• He left his home at the age of 30 in search of Knowledge. After wandering for 12 years, he realized the truth and became ‘Jina’ means the great conqueror.
• His followers are called Jains.
• Jainism believes in the concept of Karma and Salvation.
• Mahavira spent his entire life preaching his philosophy in Anga, Mithila, Magadha and Kosala. 
• Mahavira died at the age of 72 in 468 B.C. at Pavapuri near Patna.

Teachings of Jainism

The teaching of Jainism was based on the five doctrines or

Five vows of Jainism

(i) Satya- Truth

(ii) Ahimsa- Non-violence

(iii) Asteya- Not to Steal

(iv) Aparigraha- Non-possession

(v) Brahmacharya- Observe continence 

The fifth doctrine was added by Mahavira.

Triratnas of Jainism

In Jainism, the three jewels are also referred to as ratnatraya. These are

A. Samyak Darshana- Right Faith

B. Samyak Jnana- Right Knowledge

C. Samyak Charitra- Right Conduct

According to Jainism, man is the creator of his own destiny and he could attain 'moksha' by pursuing a life of purity, virtue, and renunciation.

Mahavira rejected the authority of the Vedas and believed that the world was not created by any supreme creator.

Jainism gave the Philosophy of Syadvada. Syadvada is a central philosophy of Jainism which declares that reality is relative and all judgements are conditional. It is also known as Anekantavada.

Jainism does believe in God, not as a creator, but as a perfect being.

Jain Councils

The first Jain Council was summoned at Pataliputra at about 300 B.C. under the chairmanship of Sthulabhadra. In this council, the sacred teachings of Mahavira were divided into twelve angas.

The second Jain Council was held at Vallabhi (Gujarat) in 512 A.D. It was presided over by Devardhi Kshemasarman. The final compilation of 12 Angas and Upangas was completed in this council.

Sects of Jainism

Jainism was divided into two sects - Shvetambaras (white clad) and Digambaras (sky clad) during the reign of Chandragupta Maurya.

Shvetambaras are those who wear white dresses while Digambaras are those who keep themselves naked.

Digambaras are followers of Bhadrabhau while Shvetambaras are followers of Sthulbhadra.

The two sects disagree on details of the life of Mahavira, the spiritual status of women, whether monks should wear clothes, rituals and which texts should be accepted as scripture.

Mula Sangh, Bisapantha, Terapantha, Taranpantha or Samaiyapantha, Gumanapantha, and Totapantha are some of the sub-sects of Digambaras. 

Murtipujaka, Sthanakvasi and Terapanthi are some of the sub-sects of Shvetambaras.

Ajivika is also a sect of Jainism and it was established by Nanda Vachcha.

Jain Texts

According to tradition, the original doctrines taught by Mahavira were contained in 14 old texts known as 'purvas'.

Jain literature is mainly divided into two categories- Agam and Non-agam literature.

Agams are considered sacred books of the Jain religion. These texts are further divided into two subcategories- Ang-agama (texts containing the direct preaching of Lord Mahavir compiled by Ganadharas in 12 main texts i.e. sutras) and Angbhaya-agamas (expansions of Ang-agamas).

Non-agam Literature contains commentary and explanation of Agam literature and some independent works, compiled by elder monks, nuns, and scholars.

The Jain texts were written in Prakrit and were finally compiled in the sixth century AD in Valabhi in Gujarat.

Angas, Upangas, Prakirnas, Chhedab, Sutras and Malasutras are the most important Jain Scripture.

Similarities between Buddhism and Jainism

• Both Jainism and Buddhism believed that the ultimate goal of life is to achieve salvation, however, the paths to attain the goal were different.
• Both Buddhism and Jainism appealed to the lower strata of society and admitted people from different sections of society.
• Both Jainism and Buddhism believed that one can be free from the cycle of birth and death by shunning desires and following the desired path.
• Both Buddhism and Jainism believe that strong moral principles can help achieve salvation rather than performing rituals and worshipping God. 

Difference between Buddhism and Jainism

Summary

• Buddhism and Jainism emerged as one of the most popular religions during the 6^th century.
• Buddhism was founded by Gautama Buddha. He was born in 566 B.C in Lumbini in Nepal.
• Gautam Buddha’s original name was Siddhartha. He left his home to seek knowledge and the true meaning of life, which is known as Mahabhinishkramana.
• He gave his first sermon which is known as 'Dharmachakra Pravartana' at Deer Park at Sarnath near Varanasi.
• Buddha (the exemplar), Dharma (doctrine) and Sangha (Commune) are the three jewels of Buddhism.
• The First Buddhist Council was held in 483 B.C in the Saptapmi cave near Rajagriha.
• The Second Buddhist Council was held at Vaisali in 383 B.C in Vaishali. The third Council was held at Pataliputra during the reign of Ashoka.
• The fourth Council was held during the reign of Kanishka in Kashmir in 98 AD.
• “Tripitakas”, that is three baskets - Vinaya Pitaka, Sutta Pitaka and Abhidhamma Pitaka.
• Twenty-four Tirthankaras were responsible for the origin and development of the Jaina religion and philosophy.
• The first Tirthankaras was Rishabhadev. Vardhmana Mahavira was the 24th tirthankaras.
• Mahavira was born in Kundagrama near Vaishali in Bihar in 540 B.C. He was a member of Kshtriya clan.
• The teaching of Jainism was based on the five doctrines: (i) Truth, (ii) Non-violence, (iii) Non-possession, (iv) Not to Steal (v) Observe continence (brahmacharya). 
• Jainism gave the Philosophy of Syadvada. It is also known as Anekantavada.
• The first Jain Council was summoned at Pataliputra at about 300 B.C. under the chairmanship of Stulabhadra.
• The second Jain Council was held at Vallabhi (Gujarat) in 512 A.D under the chairmanship of Devardhi Kshemasarman.
• Jainism was divided into two sects - Shvetambaras and Digambaras during the reign of Chandragupta Maurya.
• The Jain texts were written in Prakrit and were finally compiled in the sixth century AD in Valabhi in Gujarat.

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