How Buddhism differs from other religions
- Part 3 -

Thangjam Sanjoo Singh *

Wat (Buddhist Temple) from Thailand - 2007

Differences Between Hinduism and Buddhism

On God

Buddhism: The original Buddhist doctrine does not entail any godly figures, though the later Buddhist sects introduced some Godly figures.

Hinduism: The Hindus believe in 300,000 Gods.

On Caste System

Buddhism: There are four major sub sects in Buddhism, but none of them follow the caste system.

Hinduism: On the contrary, there are a number of castes and sub-castes in Hinduism, and the Hindus follow them rigidly.

On Asceticism

Buddhism: As the middle way, Buddhism rejects extreme asceticism as well as great wealth.

Hinduism: Most of the Hindus believe in extreme asceticism.

On Vedas

Buddhism: The Buddhists do not believe in the Vedas. Rather they firmly believe in the teachings of the Lord Buddha and the Buddhist scriptures.

Hinduism: Hinduism believes in the supremacy of four Vedas – Rigveda, Samveda, Yajurveda and Atharvaveda.

On Stages of Life

Buddhism: The Buddhists do not believe in the stages of life. People can join any of the stages any time depending upon their spiritual preparedness.

Hinduism: The Hindus believe in the four stages of life, also known as the ‘ashramas’ – Brahamacharya Ashram or Student life, Grihastha Ashram or family life, Vanprastha Ashram or the age at which a person leaves all the worldly desire and home, and Sanyasa Ashram – when a person meditates and awaits for the ultimate truth, death.

Buddhism & Jainism

The school of Buddhism evolved in the eastern part of India in 563 BCE. More or less at the same time (in & around 550 BCE) another school, Jainism, with almost similar thoughts, was developing in the same part of India. The founder of Jainism, Lord Mahavira was a contemporary of Lord Buddha, the founder of Buddhism and even the Buddhist texts called Lord Mahavira ‘an enlightened being’.

In the sixth century BCE and the preceding era, when both the schools of thought were developing and spreading their horizon, no rivalry seemed to have existed between them. This was because of the fact that both the religions almost believed in the same facts and philosophy of life. However, both differed on some of the views such as salvation and soul which led to their separate ways.

Similarities Between Buddhism and Jainism

On God

Buddhism: The original Buddhist doctrine does not entail any godly figures, though the later Buddhist sects introduced some Godly figures. The Buddhists believe in the Godlike figures or the Bodhisattvas, who take interest in the welfare of the world and work for its liberation.

Jainism: Alike Buddhism, Jainism also denies the existence of God, though they acknowledge the presence of the Jinas or Kevalins, who are higher than human beings in status but subject to change and evolution. However, unlike the Bodhisattvas, the Kevalins are rather indifferent to the prayers and problems and remain unaffected.

On Nirvana

Buddhism: In Buddhism, nirvana is freedom from the cycle of rebirth, when a being turns into a state of non-being, or Sunya, loses its identity and becomes nothing.

Jainism: In Jainism, nirvana is a state of moksha, where a being loses its identity and is free from the cycle of birth and death.

On Liberation

Buddhism: The path of liberation in Buddhism goes through good conduct and good deeds, as mentioned in Eightfold path, Four Noble Truths, Five Perceptions and other moral conducts.

Jainism: Similarly, the path of liberation in Jainism is to follow right perception, right knowledge, and right conduct. One has to overcome the worldly desires and feelings to attain liberation or to become a perfect soul.

On Yogic Practices

Buddhism: Buddhism emphasises on the practice of mediation and other forms of Yoga.

Jainism: In Jainism as well, meditation and other yogic practices are essential for self-purification and liberation. Concentrate on inner self.

On Non-Violence

Buddhism: Buddhism is a peaceful religion with non-violence at the heart of its thoughts and behaviour.

Jainism: Non-violence followed in action, thought, and speech is the highest morale in Jainism.

Difference Between Buddhism and Jainism

On Karma

Buddhism: Buddhism believes in the universality of Karma, which is a result of one’s action.

Jainism: Jainism also believes in the universality of karma and its effect on human beings. But, unlike Buddhism, karma, according to Jainism, is not a mere effect of one’s actions, but a real substance that flows into each individual body or jiva. This karmic substance remains with a being until good conduct and self-purification eliminates them.

On Soul

Buddhism: According to Buddhism, soul is an individuality that does exist in plants and animals, but not in non-living or inanimate things.

Jainism: According to Jainism, soul is present in every animate and inanimate object of the universe including its elements – earth, water, wind, fire and air.

On The Status And Evolution of Individual Beings

Buddhism: After Nirvana, there is no soul, but the individuality of an individual that passes into nothingness, which is beyond any description and speculation.

Jainism: After Nirvana, the soul continues to remain as an individual soul, but in the highest state of purity and enlightenment.

Survival And Disappearance : Over a period of time, while Buddhism disappeared from the Indian soil, Jainism survived in India, with its teachings intact, mostly untouched by the overwhelming philosophy and practices of Hinduism, at the same time imparting to the later some of its noblest ideas.

Besides, a major difference lies in the dominions of both the religions. Though both, Buddhism and Jainism, originated and developed individually in the same geographical area of India, but difference lies in their spread.

While Buddhism crossed the frontiers of its motherland and went to other parts of the Indian subcontinent, Central Asia, far eastern countries, and parts of North America and Europe as well, whereas Jainism, on the other hand, remained confined to India, the land of its origin.

To be continued....