Mains Practice Questions

Approach

• Begin the answer by writing about the rise and spread of Buddhism and Jainism.
• Compare the teachings and philosophy of Buddhism and Jainism.
• Illustrate using examples of converging and diverging teachings.
• Conclude as per the requirement of keywords.

Introduction

Ancient India, around the 6^th century BCE, witnessed a period of intellectual and spiritual transformation. The emergence of two influential religions – Jainism and Buddhism as responses to the limitations of the Vedic system, offered alternative paths to people for spiritual enlightenment.

Body

Rise of Jainism and Buddhism in India:

• Rise of Buddhism in India:
  • Buddhism started in India over 2,600 years ago as a way of life that had the potential to transform a person.
  • The religion is based upon the teachings, and life experiences of its founder Siddhartha Gautam (Gautam Buddha), born in 563 BCE.
    • He was born into the royal family of the Sakya clan who ruled from Kapilvastu, in Lumbini which is situated near the Indo-Nepal Border.
  • At the age of 29, Gautama left home rejecting his life of riches and embracing a lifestyle of asceticism, or extreme self-discipline.
    • After 49 consecutive days of meditation, Gautama attained Bodhi (enlightenment) under a pipal tree at Bodhgaya, a village in Bihar.
• Rise of Jainism in India:
  • Jainism came to prominence in the 6^th century B.C. when Lord Mahavira propagated the religion.
  • There were 24 great teachers, the last of whom was Lord Mahavira.
    • These twenty-four teachers were called Tirthankaras-people who had attained all knowledge (Moksha) while living and preached it to the people.
  • Vardhamana Mahavira, the 24^th Tirthankara, was born in 540 B.C. in a village called Kundagrama near Vaishali.
  • He practiced austerity for 12 years and attained the highest spiritual knowledge called Kaivalya (i.e. conquered misery and happiness) at the age of 42 years.
  • His missions took him to Koshala, Magadha, Mithila, Champa etc.
• Reasons associated with the rise of Jainism and Buddhism in India
  • The rise of Buddhism and Jainism stemmed from dissatisfaction with the caste system and rituals of Vedic religion. Offering an egalitarian approach, focus on non-violence, and clear paths to liberation, they appealed to both the suffering public and the growing merchant class. Their simple teachings and royal support from further fueled their spread.
    • Great Emperors like Ashoka, Kanishka and Harshavardhana patronized Buddhism whereas Jainism gained patronage from the rulers of north India like the Chandragupta Maurya, Dhana Nanda, and Kharavela of Kalinga.

Comparison of the teachings of Buddhism and Jainism:

• Similarities between the teachings of Buddhism and Jainism:
  • Focus on non-violence (ahimsa): Central to both religions is the principle of avoiding harm to living beings.
  • Desire for liberation: Escaping the cycle of rebirth (samsara) and achieving enlightenment is a key goal in both traditions.
  • Ethical conduct: Both emphasize morality, right living, and following a virtuous path.
• Differences between the teachings of Buddhism and Jainism:
  • Severity of non-violence: Jainism takes ahimsa to a stricter extreme. Jains practice non-violence in all aspects of life, including avoiding even microscopic organisms by wearing masks while sweeping. Buddhists generally focus on non-violence towards larger beings.
  • Role of deities: Buddhism doesn't emphasize worshipping deities, focusing on individual effort for enlightenment. Jainism has several deities, but they are not seen as creators or saviors, but rather as beings who have achieved liberation themselves.
  • Social hierarchy: Jainism still has a monastic hierarchy with different sects. Buddhism emphasizes a more egalitarian monastic structure.

Conclusion

Jainism and Buddhism, though born from similar circumstances, offered distinct paths to enlightenment in ancient India. Both stressed non-violence, good conduct, and escaping rebirth. But Jains took non-violence to an extreme, while Buddhists focused on self-reliance. Despite these differences, both religions remain integral to Indian spirituality, influencing its ethics, social thought, and artistic traditions for centuries to come.