Buddhism and Jainism

Mahāvīra and Buddha were contemporaries, there are no mentions of the two teachers meeting, but there are mentions of Mahavira's disciples questioning Buddha in various Suttas. The Buddhists have always maintained that by the time Buddha and Mahavira were alive, Jainism was already an entrenched faith and culture in the region. Buddhist scriptures record philosophical dialogues between the wandering seeker Siddarttha Gotama (Buddha) and Udaka Ramaputta, and the first of several teachers that young Siddattha Gotama studied with before his enlightenment.

Buddhist scriptures attest that some of the first Buddhists were in fact Jains (Nirgranthas as they were then called, meaning "the unbonded ones") who "converted", but were encouraged by Buddha to maintain their Jain identity and practises such as giving alms to Jain monks and nuns. Buddhists recorded that Mahavira preached the "fourfold restraint" of the Nirgrantha tradition—a clear reference to the teachings of Mahavira's predecessor Lord Parshva (877-777 BC), traditionally the 23rd Tirthankara of Jainism -- who propounded the four vows of Ahinsa (Ahimsa), Satya (truth), Aparigraha (non-possessiveness), and Asteya (non-stealing), which may have been the template for the Five Precepts of Buddhism. Additionally, the Buddhist Anguttara Nikaya scripture quotes the independent philosopher Purana Kashyapa (the sixth century BC founder of a now extinct order) as listing the Nirgranthas as one of the six major classifications of humanity. The Pali texts mention the Buddha referring to the liberation of Mahavira (referred to as Niggantha Nataputta) at Pava.

Similarities and differences

The common terms in Buddhism and Jainism:

• Shramana
• Nibbana (Sanskrit: Nirvana): (the definition is different in the two traditions)
• Arahant: the term is used somewhat similarly.
• Dhamma (Sanskrit: Dharma)
• Jina
• Acharya (chief of the orders)
• Sutta (Sanskrit: Sutra) (scriptures)
• Indra/Shamkra (chief of the gods)

The terms that are used with different meanings:

• Pudgala
• Siddha

Common symbols:

• Pratima, foot prints
• Stupa
• The dharma-chakra
• The swastika
• The trirathna
• The ashta-mangalas
• Minor devas

Vegetarianism

Vegetarianism is required for both monks and laity in Jainism. In Buddhism, the monks in China, Japan, Korea and Vietnam are vegetarian; however strict vegetarianism is not required. By monastic tradition, a monk should eat whatever is placed in his bowl when begging food. The exceptions to not eat given meat were if the monk knew an animal was killed especially for him or he heard the animal being killed. See: Threefold rule

But for lay people it is not so clear and many lay Buddhists have chosen vegetarianism to better practice the Dhamma and keep the precepts. In general, the precept against killing living beings in Buddhism centers around intent, whereas, the Jains take it further and avoid all possible killing. Some Jains wear masks around the mouth, thinking it will prevent the killing of microorganisms. They also refrain from eating animal products and root vegetables, thereby not even killing the plant, as they trim the greens off the root plant. Seen in this way, the Buddhists who practice vegetarianism (animal products, such as eggs, honey, dairy, root vegetables acceptable to eat) are not that extreme, when compared to the Jain diet.

A further look at the similarities

Much has been made of the similarities between Buddha and Jesus in their lives and teachings, although there are some marked differences. The similarities between Buddhism and Jainism and Buddha and Mahavira are much more pronounced.

No creator god

• There is no creator god in Jainism.
• There is no creator god in Buddhism.

No creation myth

• There is no creation myth in Jainism, a first beginning is not knowable.
• There is no creation myth in Buddhism, a first beginning is not knowable.

Previous founders

• Mahavira was not the founder, but rather the re-discoverer of the truth according to Jainism.
• Buddha was not the founder, but rather the re-discoverer of the truth according to Buddhism.

24 prior teachers

• According to Jainism there are 24 known tirthankaras who discovered the truth after a time when the teachings were lost.
• According to Buddhism (Buddhavamsa) there were 24 previous Buddhas who discovered the truth (plus 3 in prehistoric times and Gotama-Buddha for a total of 28.

Warrior caste

• Mahavira was born into the ksatriya caste (warrior caste).
• Buddha was born into the ksatriya caste (warrior caste).

Siddhatha

• Mahavira was born to a ksatriyan chief named Siddhatha.
• Buddha was to a ksatriyan chief and Buddha's birth name was Siddhatha.

Yasoda

• Mahavira married a woman named Yasoda.
• Buddha married a woman named Yasoda.

One child

• Mahavira had one child (a daughter).
• Buddha had one child (a son).

Enlightenment under a tree

• Mahavira renounced the world at age 20 attained enlightenment under a tree at 28 and lived to 72 years.
• Buddha renounced the world at age 29 attained enlightenment under a tree at 35 and lived to 80 years.

Asceticism

• Mahavira practiced asceticism toward enlightenment.
• Buddha practiced asceticism toward / prior to enlightenment.

Rejection of caste

• Jainism rejects caste distinctions based on birth.
• Buddhism rejects caste distinctions based on birth.

5 precepts

• There are 5 great vows or precepts in Jainism.
• There are 5 primary precepts in Buddhism.

First Precept of Ahimsa

• The first precept in Jainism is Ahimsa (non-violence), which extends to all living beings.
• The first precept in Buddhism is to not kill, which extends to all living beings.

Second precept

• A second precept in Jainism is Satya (truthfulness).
• A second precept in Buddhism is truthfulness.

Third precept

• A third precept in Jainism is Asteya (not stealing).
• A third precept in Buddhism is not stealing.

Fourth precept

• A fourth precept in Jainism is Brahmacharya (celibacy for monks and nuns no sexual misconduct for lay people).
• A fourth precept in Buddhism is to refrain from sexual misconduct (celibacy for monks and nuns).

Fifth precept

• A fifth precept in Jainism in is Aparigraha non-materialism, non-attachment to material things.
• A fifth precept in Buddhism is refrain from intoxicating drinks and drugs which lead to carelessness. (The only precept of the 5 which is somewhat different, but not completely different since the Buddhist version is also calling for no attachment.)

Nirvana (Nibbana)

• Jainism teaches that one must undergo pure conduct, practice meditation and attain enlightenment, release from rebirth.
• Buddhism teaches that one must undergo pure conduct, practice meditation and attain enlightenment, release from rebirth.

Middle Way

The Buddha is of course famous for his Middle Way, breaking away from the ascetics by bathing and taking some food prior to enlightenment. But how much of a break-away from asceticism was it? By today's standards the practice of the Buddha would most certainly be still considered asceticism. As he sat for enlightenment the Buddha remarked:

"May nothing remain but skin and sinews and bones; may flesh and blood dry up in the body! Not before having achieved what can be achieved by manly strength, manly energy, manly exertion shall my energy subside!" (Majjhima Nikaya 70)

Such was the Buddha's persistence and determination to attain enlightenment.

Buddhist teachings list 13 ascetic practices conducive for jhanas as well as other teachings praising certain ascetic practices.

Plants

In Jainism plants are considered to have life force and spirit. In later Buddhist teachings a clear line was drawn where the Buddhist cosmology included humans, animals, devas and other celestial beings, but not plants. However, there is some indication that this may have been a later development and that the early Buddhists regarded plants as somewhat a borderline case between sentient and insentient. The Buddhist Vinaya prohibits monks and nuns from taking any kind of violence against plants. There is some scientific research that is showing some possible evidence of some neurobiology and possible sentience in plants.

References

• http://www.khmerbuddhism.com/profiles/blogs/plants-in-buddhism-and-the-idea-of-the-buddha-nature-of-grasses
• Plants in Buddhism and the Idea of the Buddha Nature of Grasses and Trees. Lambert Schmithausen, 2009.
• http://www.BuddhismA2Z.com/