Jainism and Buddhism

Jainism and Buddhism are the two branches of the Shramana tradition that still exist today. Until recently Jainism was largely confined to India, while Buddhism has largely flourished in countries outside of India. However the two traditions share remarkable similarities.

Buddhism separates itself from the Jain tradition by teaching an alternative to "extreme asceticism". Even though it is said that, during Buddha's life he undertook many fasts, penances and austerities, the descriptions of which are elsewhere found only in the Jain tradition (for example, the penance by five fires, plucking of hair, and the consumption of food using only one's cupped hands), ultimately Buddha abandoned these methods on his discovery of the Middle Way (Magga). To this day, many Buddhist teachings, principles, and terms used in Buddhism are identical to those of Jainism, but they may hold very different meanings for each.

Whether or not it was an influence of Jain culture and philosophy in ancient Bihar that gave rise to Buddhism is unclear, but there are some striking similarities between the two traditions, and Buddhism may have adopted many of its ideas and traditions from pre-existing ones held by the Jains. The two groups are so similar that early western archaeologists working in India often attributed Buddhist art and historical sites as being of Jain origin. Buddhist texts often mention Jain philosophy, and it seems likely that the latter was a well established tradition before the rise of Buddhism.

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 Siddartha Gautama(Buddha) and Udaka Ramaputta, who was likely a Jain, and the first of several teachers that young Siddartha Gautama 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 "four-fold restraint" of the Nirgrantha tradition 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. Mahāvīra and Buddha were contemporaries, however there is no mention of the two teachers ever meeting. The Pali texts mention the Buddha referring to the liberation of Mahavira (referred to as Niggantha Nataputta) at Pava.

The possibilities of Jainism and Buddhism being similar and not necessarily an offshoot is the spiritual path to gain Moksha is similar and hence the teachings and the beliefs are so similar.

The common concepts in Jainism and Buddhism:
* Shramana
* Nirvana: (the definition is different in the two traditions)
* Arhat: the term is used somewhat similarly.
* Dharma
* Jina
* Acharya (chief of the orders)
* Sutra (scriptures)
* Indra/Shakra (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 is required for both monks and laity in Jainism. In Buddhism, the monks in China, Japan and Korea are vegetarian; however vegetarianism is not required.

External links

*Comparison of Buddhism and Jainism
*A refutation by Buddha's of Nigantha Nataputta

More about Mahavir and the teachings http://www.cs.colostate.edu/~malaiya/mahavira.htmlhttp://www.jainguru.com/mahabir.html