Jainism and Buddhism: Teachings, Differences and More!

In Ancient India, humans searched for spirituality and needed clarity in the values and doctrines they should follow. They wanted to know how to lead their lives and what the do’s and don’ts were. This search for spirituality gave birth to two impactful religions: Jainism and Buddhism. Both these religions protested against the stringent rituals of the Vedic religion and offered practical paths to enlightenment while materially reshaping one’s spiritual and ethical thought.

Lord Mahavira founded Jainism, which is based on principles of rigorous self-discipline and compassion for all living beings. Siddhartha Gautama founded Buddhism, which preached a balanced path to conquer suffering. Although both have fundamental beliefs, the two philosophies differ in many ways and provide varied views on life, the soul, and liberation.

Jainism and Buddhism originated in India around the 6th century BCE during social and religious reform. Both emerged as alternatives to Vedic traditions, opposing Brahminical authority and the caste system.

1. Shared beliefs include:

• Ahimsa (non-violence) toward all living beings
• Karma and rebirth (samsara)
• Asceticism and self-discipline
• The goal of liberation moksha in Jainism and nirvana in Buddhism

Jainism, founded by Mahavira, emphasizes strict asceticism, belief in a permanent soul (jiva), and practices such as the Five Great Vows and idol worship.

Buddhism, founded by Gautama Buddha, teaches the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path and denies the existence of a permanent soul. Jainism is primarily practiced in India, while Buddhism has spread globally.

This article compares Jainism and Buddhism regarding history, beliefs, and practices to highlight their distinct spiritual paths.

Origins of Jainism and Buddhism: Historical Perspectives

The roots of Jainism and Buddhism lie in ancient India when spiritual exploration flourished, and new philosophies emerged to challenge Vedic orthodoxy. Here’s how the two religions came into being:

Jainism’s Historical Roots

Jainism traces its beginnings to the 6th century BCE with Lord Mahavira. He was the 24th Tirthankara, whose lineage dates back to centuries of enlightened teachers guiding humankind toward liberation. Nonetheless, his teachings systematized Jainism as we know it today.

Lord Mahavira preached asceticism, shunning possessions and worldly pleasures. He believed in Ahimsa, or nonviolence, not only towards human beings but also towards all living entities, however small. This accounts for vegetarianism among Jains and their utmost care to avoid harming even insects.

The emphasis on self-discipline and ethical purity aimed to help individuals break free from karmic cycles and achieve Moksha or liberation. These principles have remained the cornerstones of Jain philosophy, influencing millions of followers to lead lives of simplicity and compassion.

Buddhism’s Emergence

Buddhism, founded in the 5th–4th century BCE by Siddhartha Gautama, began as a personal quest to understand the nature of suffering. Born a prince, Siddhartha abandoned his life of luxury to seek deeper meaning through meditation and self-reflection.

After years of ascetic practices, he realized that extreme deprivation was as unfulfilling as indulgence. This realization led to the Middle Way, a path balanced between the two extremes. His enlightenment under the Bodhi Tree marked the starting point of Buddhism. The Buddha provided practical steps for overcoming suffering, attracting followers from all walks of life.

Principles of Jainism and Buddhism

Both Jainism and Buddhism, originating in ancient India, share several fundamental principles:

1. Ahimsa (Non-violence): Both religions prioritize non-violence towards humans and all living beings, including animals and even plants. This principle extends to thoughts, words, and actions.
2. Karma and Rebirth: Both believe in the law of karma, where actions and intentions have consequences that influence future lives. They both accept the concept of rebirth, where individuals are reborn based on their past actions.
3. Self-Control and Discipline: Both emphasize the importance of self-control and discipline in overcoming desires and attachments. This includes cultivating virtues such as honesty, compassion, and detachment.
4. Meditation: Both traditions emphasize the practice of meditation as a means of cultivating inner peace, developing mindfulness, and achieving spiritual liberation.
5. Enlightenment: The ultimate goal of both paths is to achieve enlightenment, a state of liberation from suffering and the cycle of rebirth. This is achieved through spiritual practices, ethical conduct, and the cultivation of wisdom.

While sharing these core principles, Jainism and Buddhism also have distinct philosophical and doctrinal differences.

Teachings of Jainism and Buddhism

Jainism and Buddhism both preach right living and spiritual liberation. Though they share similar principles, their methods reveal some interesting differences. The following are the key teachings of each:

• Teachings of Jainism

The central teaching of Jainism is non-violence or Ahimsa. This does not only refer to physical violence but also extends to thoughts and speech. Even unintentional harm caused to the most diminutive creature holds karmic significance for Jains. Hence, Jain monks and devout followers are incredibly cautious in their daily activities; some even sweep the ground as they walk to avoid stepping on insects.

The founder of Jainism, Lord Mahavira, advocated self-discipline as the path to liberation. The concept of karma is central to this philosophy. However, unlike other religions, Jainism views karma as a physical substance that attaches itself to the soul due to one’s actions. Each decision made adds to or subtracts from this karmic burden.

According to Jainism, the ultimate goal of life is Moksha (liberation). Jains pursue rigorous asceticism, fasting, renunciation, and self-control to achieve this.

• Teachings of Buddha

The teachings of Buddha revolve around understanding and overcoming suffering. Buddhism preaches the Four Noble Truths, which explain that suffering is a part of life, but there is a way to end it. The Eightfold Path provides a practical guide to achieving this, with steps like right mindfulness, action, and effort.

Mindfulness is central to Buddhism. It involves being fully present in the moment, whether meditating, working, or even eating. Buddhists cultivate inner peace and wisdom through mindfulness and meditation, leading to enlightenment.

Compassion is another pillar of Buddhism. The Buddha believed that by letting go of desires and attachments, we can free ourselves from suffering and help others do the same. 

Key Differences Between Jainism and Buddhism

Aspect	Jainism	Buddhism
Founder	Mahavira (24th Tirthankara)	Gautama Buddha
View on Soul	Believes in an eternal, individual soul (Atman) bound by karma	Denies the existence of a permanent soul (Anatta or non-self)
Path to Liberation	Strict asceticism to purify the soul and attain Moksha	Follows the Middle Way through the Four Noble Truths and Eightfold Path
Spiritual Practice	Emphasis on fasting, self-denial, and renunciation	Emphasis on mindfulness, balance, and meditation
Non-violence (Ahimsa)	Central and absolute principle—guides all actions	Emphasizes Metta (loving-kindness) and compassion to reduce suffering
Detachment	Achieved through extreme asceticism and rejection of all material comfort	Encouraged through mindfulness and letting go of attachments
Approach to Suffering	Eliminate karma through personal discipline	Understand and end suffering through insight and balanced living
Spread	Primarily practiced in India	Spread across Asia and the world

Similarities between Jainism and Buddhism

1. Non-Violence (Ahimsa):

• Jainism holds nonviolence (Ahimsa) as the most fundamental ethical principle. It applies not only to humans but also to all forms of life, including animals, insects, and microscopic organisms. True Jain followers go to great lengths to avoid harming any living being, including wearing masks to prevent inhaling tiny creatures and sweeping the ground before walking.
• Buddhism also regards non-violence as central to its ethical framework. However, it expresses Ahimsa through Metta (loving-kindness) and Karuna (compassion). While not as extreme as Jainism in daily practice, Buddhism teaches avoiding harm through speech, thought, and action to reduce suffering for all sentient beings.

2. Karma:

• In Jainism, karma is a physical substance that binds to the soul due to one’s actions, passions, and attachments. The more negative karma a soul accumulates, the more cycles of birth and suffering it endures. Liberation (moksha) is achieved by shedding karmic particles through strict ethical conduct and asceticism.
• In Buddhism, karma refers to intentional actions (mental, verbal, and physical) and their consequences. Karma shapes future rebirths and life experiences. Liberation (nirvana) occurs when one breaks free from the karmic cycle through wisdom, ethical living, and mental discipline.

3. Meditation:

• Jainism views meditation (Dhyana) as essential to spiritual awakening. Through deep reflection and inner silence, practitioners aim to detach from worldly desires and purify their souls, eventually freeing themselves from karma.
• Buddhism makes meditation one of its central practices. Techniques such as Vipassana (insight) and Samatha (calm) meditation cultivate mindfulness, concentration, and awareness of reality’s impermanent nature. These practices lead to mental clarity and, ultimately, liberation.

4. Rejection of Vedas and Caste System:

• Jainism does not accept the authority of the Vedas—the sacred texts of Hinduism. It critiques ritualism and the hierarchical caste system, emphasizing that spiritual progress depends on individual effort, not birth.
• Buddhism, similarly, rejects Vedic authority and upholds the equality of all beings. The Buddha admitted individuals from all castes, including women and marginalized communities, into his monastic order, thereby challenging the social norms of his time.

5. Renunciation and Detachment:

• Jainism encourages extreme renunciation, especially for monks and nuns. Detachment from material possessions, emotions, and sensory pleasures is necessary to stop the influx of karma and achieve spiritual liberation.
• Buddhism also values renunciation, but promotes the Middle Way—a path that avoids both indulgence and extreme self-denial. Practitioners are encouraged to let go of attachments and desires gradually through mindfulness, ethical conduct, and meditation.

Scriptures and Literature

Both Jainism and Buddhism have rich literary traditions that preserve their teachings, ethical codes, and spiritual philosophies. These sacred texts document the life and teachings of their founders and serve as guides for followers across generations.

• Jain Scriptures: Agamas

The primary scriptures of Jainism are known as the Agamas, which are believed to be the direct teachings of Lord Mahavira, the 24th Tirthankara. These texts were originally passed down orally and were later written down by Jain monks. The Agamas are divided into several sections, including the Angas (limbs) and Upangas (sub-limbs). They cover Jain cosmology, ethics, conduct for monks and laypeople, and philosophical discussions. Over time, due to sectarian differences, the Digambara and Svetambara sects developed different scriptural canons.

• Buddhist Scriptures: Tripitaka & Dhammapada

The most important texts in Buddhism are compiled in the Tripitaka or “Three Baskets.” These include the Vinaya Pitaka (monastic rules), Sutta Pitaka (teachings of the Buddha), and Abhidhamma Pitaka (philosophical analysis). Another well-known Buddhist scripture is the Dhammapada, a collection of the Buddha’s sayings on ethics and spiritual wisdom. These texts were originally written in Pali and Sanskrit and were preserved and transmitted by Buddhist councils and monastic communities.

• Language and Transmission

Jain texts were primarily written in Prakrit, while Buddhist texts were composed in Pali and later translated into Sanskrit, Tibetan, and Chinese, facilitating Buddhism’s global spread. Both traditions initially relied on oral transmission before their teachings were recorded in written form, preserving their spiritual heritage over millennia.

Symbols and Practices in Jainism and Buddhism

Both Jainism and Buddhism use distinct symbols and spiritual practices to represent and reinforce their core philosophies. These visual elements and rituals are vital in daily devotion, spiritual growth, and cultural identity.

• Jain Symbols and Practices

In Jainism, symbols are deeply tied to its values and cosmology. One of the most recognized symbols is the hand with a wheel (Ahimsa symbol). The raised hand signifies non-violence, and the wheel (Dharmachakra) represents the cycle of birth and rebirth and the resolve to halt it through right conduct. Another prominent symbol is the swastika, which stands for the four types of existence: heavenly, human, animal, and hellish beings. Jain temples, often intricately carved from marble, are sacred spaces where devotees engage in rituals, prayers, and offerings.

Jains also follow strict practices like fasting, especially during festivals such as Paryushan, and lead ascetic lifestyles, particularly for monks and nuns who renounce all worldly possessions.

• Buddhist Symbols and Practices

In Buddhism, symbols convey teachings and inspire contemplation. The Dharma Wheel (Dharmachakra) symbolizes the Buddha’s teachings and the path to enlightenment. The lotus flower represents purity, spiritual awakening, and the potential to rise above suffering. Stupas, dome-shaped structures, house relics and symbolize the enlightened mind.

Buddhists emphasize meditation, mindfulness, and ethical living. Monastic life is central to spiritual practice, with monks and nuns following a disciplined routine of study, reflection, and teaching. Fasting and chanting are also standard practices, especially during significant religious observances.

Together, these symbols and practices serve as tools for inner transformation and expressions of deep-rooted spiritual devotion.

Conclusion

Jainism and Buddhism originated in the 6th century BCE India as reformist movements opposing Vedic authority and the caste system. While they share core beliefs like non-violence (Ahimsa), karma, rebirth, and the goal of liberation, they differ in philosophy and practice. Jainism believes in a permanent soul (jiva) and emphasizes strict asceticism, whereas Buddhism teaches Anatta (no-self) and follows the Middle Path. Despite these differences, both stress ethical living, mindfulness, and spiritual self-effort. Understanding the difference between Jainism and Buddhism enhances our grasp of Indian philosophy and its lasting influence on global spiritual thought.

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