Buddhism & Jainism

a bRIEF INTRODUCTION

Jainism

Jainism is one the earliest organised religions to have originated from ancient India. The word ‘Jain’ is derived from the the Sanskrit term Jina meaning ‘victor’, signifying one who conquers or has gained victory over one’s own desires. Accordingly, the founders of this faith are regarded as jinas or conquerors and its adherents are known as Jaina or Jains.

The Pillars of Jainism

There are four main principles or pillars of Jainism, that are central to the religion and form the basis of the understanding of the soul and its dharma. They are Ahimsa or non-violence; Aparigraha or non-attachment, which involves curbing of material desires, attachments and aversions; Anekantavada, which states that there are numerous dharmas and they are all truths, even if they are contradictory and lastly, Atmaswantantrata or complete control over one’s own atman which emphasises on self-sufficiency and individual agency in attaining oneness with God through self-controlled karma

The adherents of Jainism take five vows which are

1. Satya (truth),

2. Ahimsa (Non-violence),

3. Asteya (non-stealing),

4. Aparigraha (Non-possession or Non-possessiveness)

5. Brahmacharya (Chastity)

Animism & Ahimsa

Jainism also believes in the concept of Animism, which serves as the driving force for the principle of Ahimsa. Gods, mankind, animals, plants and demons as well as the particles of earth, wind, water and fire, are all believed to contain a soul or jiva, thus ahimsa practiced in Jainism often encompasses non-violence and compassion towards all material through the absence of any ill-motive.

The Founders

Conventionally, Jainism is believed to have been founded by Lord Rishabhnath, the first of the twenty four Tirthankaras. Jainism is thus regarded as a religion of purely human origin and is viewed as a substance of preachings of those souls who have attained omniscience and have attained the status of Jinas.

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Buddhism

Buddhism took shape ca. 2500 years ago when Siddhartha Gautama (Buddha) sought enlightenment at the age of 35. The name is derived from the Sanskrit word "buddhi", to awaken. For many, Buddhism goes beyond being a religion, and is considered more of a way of life.

The Three Marks of Impermanence is one of Buddha’s first teachings, and one of the first things he learnt. After leaving the oppressive safety and comfort of his palace, Siddhartha encountered the Three Marks of Impermanence: old age, illness, and death. This is what led him to attempt to reach spiritual satisfaction through a regime of severe asceticism and ardent study of the teachings of others, but failed.

Eventually, Siddhartha found himself at Bodh Gaya (present day Bihar), and there, under a fig (Bodhi) tree, he gave himself up to transcendental meditation for forty-nine days before attaining total enlightenment.

Unlike other major religions, Buddhism has no judgemental deity at its head. Judgemental is not a negative connotation in this sense, it merely implies that the achievement of nibbana and teaching that to disciples is in the hands of the God, not the disciple. In Buddhism, the responsibility of salvation is in the hands of its disciples, both lay and ordained.

Buddha saw his life in terms of this trinity: the Enlightened One himself, his life and representations, his doctrine (dhamma) and the sangha. These Three Jewels constitute the world of a Buddhist.

Buddha’s doctrine was the Four Noble Truths:

Everything is suffering.

The origin of suffering is desire.

There exists nirvana, an end to suffering.

A path, defined by the Buddha, leads to nirvana.

This quiz is a great way to check out your knowledge on Buddhism and its teachings. Just click start, and you're ready to begin!

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