Jainism and Buddhism

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Jainism and Buddhism — Key Facts for TNPSC Group 1 Core concept: Both Jainism and Buddhism emerged in the 6th century BCE in the Bihar-Jharkhand region as protest movements against Brahminical orthodoxy and ritualism High-yield point: Both religions share common features — rejection of Vedic authority, emphasis on non-violence (ahimsa), individual salvation — but differ fundamentally on key doctrines ⚡ Exam tip: TNPSC frequently asks about the differences between Mahavira and Buddha, and the contribution of Ashoka to Buddhism

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Jainism and Buddhism — TNPSC Group 1 Study Guide

Overview

The 6th century BCE was a period of great social, political, and religious ferment in the Indian subcontinent. This era, often called the Shramana period (from Shramana meaning “striving” or “renunciate”), saw the rise of numerous religious thinkers who questioned Vedic ritualism and Brahminical dominance. Among these, Jainism and Buddhism emerged as the two most significant reform movements that not only challenged contemporary religious practices but also profoundly influenced Indian civilization for over two millennia.

Both religions emerged in the Mahajanapadas era — particularly in the kingdoms of Magadha and Videha — during a period of increasing urbanization, monetization, and social stratification.

Jainism

Founder: Vardhamana Mahavira

• Birth: 599 BCE (traditionally) in Kundalagrama, near Vaishali (modern Bihar)
• Parents: Siddhartha (father) and Trisala (mother) — Kshatriya family of the Lichchhavi clan
• Renunciation: At age 30, he abandoned household life and became an ascetic (nirgrantha)
• Kevalya (Omniscience): After 12 years of severe austerities, he attained Kevala (omniscience) at the age of 42
• Death (Nirvana): 527 BCE (traditionally) at Pawapuri, Bihar

Key Principles (Tenets)

1. Ahimsa (Non-violence): The supreme principle — not just abstaining from physical violence but including mental and verbal harm. Jain monks carry a peacock feather brush to sweep insects from their path.
2. Satya (Truth): Strict adherence to truthfulness in speech, thought, and action
3. Asteya (Non-stealing): Do not take what does not belong to you
4. Brahmacharya (Chastity): Celibacy, especially for ascetics
5. Aparigraha (Non-attachment): Non-accumulation; limiting possessions

Additional Principles

• Anekantavada (Principle of Non-Absolutism): Truth has multiple aspects — a cornerstone of Jain epistemological philosophy
• Syadvada (Conditioned View): Sevenfold logical predication of any statement
• Karma theory: Accumulation of karmic matter (pudgala) binds the soul; proper conduct and austerity can burn off karma

Jain Texts

• Agamas: The canonical Jain texts — 45 works including 12 Upangas and 12 Angas
• The Angas: Primary canonical texts; the 12th Anga, Bhagavati Sutra, contains discussions of the soul and karma
• Tattvartha Sutra: The most important philosophical text — written by Umadeva; first systematic exposition of Jain doctrine
• Uttaradhyayana Sutra: Stories and doctrines for Jain monks

Monastic Organization

• Munis (ascetics): Follow strict vows — complete non-violence, no ownership, begging for food, fasting
• Shravikas (nuns): Women ascetics following the same rules
• Lay followers (Shravakas): Follow basic principles of ahimsa, truth, non-stealing; support monks and nuns

Sects

• Digambara (Sky-clad): “Naked” — monks wear no clothing; believed only men can attain moksha; women require another birth
• Shvetambara (White-clad): Monks wear white robes; scriptures preserved in a slightly different canon; women can attain liberation

Spread

Jainism spread primarily in Gujarat, Rajasthan, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu — largely in trading communities. It maintained a strong presence in South India.

Buddhism

Founder: Siddhartha Gautama (Buddha)

• Birth: 563 BCE (traditionally) in Lumbini (modern Nepal) — a Shakya clan prince
• Father: Suddhodana — King of Kapilavastu
• Mother: Maya (Mahamaya) — died 7 days after childbirth
• Renunciation: At age 29, after seeing the “four sights” (old man, sick man, corpse, ascetic), he left his family and royal comforts
• Enlightenment (Nirvana): At age 35, under the Bodhi tree at Bodh Gaya (Buddha attains supreme enlightenment)
• First Sermon (Dharmachakra Pravartana): At Sarnath near Varanasi — setting in motion the “Wheel of Dharma”
• Death (Mahaparinirvana): 483 BCE at Kushinagar, Uttar Pradesh

Key Teachings

The Four Noble Truths (Arya Satya):

1. Dukkha (Suffering): Life involves suffering — birth, aging, sickness, death, grief, despair
2. Samudaya (Origin of suffering): Caused by thirst (tanha) — craving for pleasure, existence, non-existence
3. Nirodha (Cessation of suffering): Suffering can end by eliminating craving
4. Marga (Path to end suffering): The Eightfold Path

The Eightfold Path (Astangika Marg):

Path	Pali Term	Description
Right View	Samma Ditthi	Understanding the Four Noble Truths
Right Intention	Samma Sankappa	Right thoughts and resolutions
Right Speech	Samma Vaca	Abstaining from lying, gossip, harsh language
Right Action	Samma Kammanta	No killing, stealing, improper conduct
Right Livelihood	Samma Ajiva	Ethical occupations only
Right Effort	Samma Vayama	Preventing unwholesome states
Right Mindfulness	Samma Sati	Awareness of body, feelings, mind
Right Concentration	Samma Samadhi	Meditation, mental unification

Other Key Teachings:

• Anattman (No-self): There is no permanent, unchanging soul (atman) — only aggregates (khandhas) that constantly change
• Pratityasamutpada (Dependent Origination): All phenomena arise dependent on causes and conditions
• Ahimsa: Non-violence extended to all sentient beings
• Karma: Intentional action shapes future existence — unlike Jainism, karma is not deterministic but can be transformed
• Nirvana: Liberation from the cycle of rebirth (samsara)

Buddhist Texts

• Tripitaka (Three Baskets): The oldest Buddhist canon
  • Vinaya Pitaka: Monastic rules and discipline
  • Sutta Pitaka: Discourses of Buddha and his disciples
  • Abhidhamma Pitaka: Philosophical and psychological analysis
• Written in Pali (Theravada tradition)
• Mahayana Sutras: Additional sutras like Diamond Sutra, Heart Sutra (in Sanskrit)

Sangha (Monastic Order)

• Buddha established the Bhikkhu Sangha (monastic order) at Sarnath
• monks and nuns follow 227 vows (Theravada) — including celibacy, poverty, and non-violence
• Upasakas (lay followers): Support Sangha and observe Five Precepts

Major Sects

• Theravada (Hinayana): “Way of Elders” — conservative; believe only the historical Buddha was enlightened; prevalent in Sri Lanka, Thailand, Myanmar, Cambodia
• Mahayana: “Great Vehicle” — allows for multiple Buddhas and bodhisattvas; prevalent in China, Japan, Korea, Vietnam
• Vajrayana (Tantric Buddhism): “Thunderbolt Vehicle” — esoteric; prevalent in Tibet, Nepal, Japan (Shingon)

Key Similarities

Feature	Jainism	Buddhism
Founder’s background	Kshatriya prince	Kshatriya prince
Era	6th century BCE	6th century BCE
Reject Vedic authority	Yes	Yes
Ahimsa	Supreme principle	Important teaching
Renunciation	Yes	Yes
Monastic Sangha	Yes	Yes
Tirthankaras	24 Tirthankaras	No
Goddess concept	Siddhaya (liberated souls)	No gods required

Key Differences

Feature	Jainism	Buddhism
Founder’s name	Vardhamana Mahavira	Siddhartha Gautama
Tirthankaras	24 Tirthankaras before Mahavira	No concept of Tirthankaras
Soul (Atman)	Yes — souls exist eternally	No — Anattman (no-self)
Karma	Material karmic particles (pudgala)	Intentional action (cetana)
Goal	Kevalya (omniscience)	Nirvana (extinguishing of craving)
Asceticism	Extreme — nude monks, fasting	Moderate — begging, simplicity
Vegetarianism	Strict — even root vegetables avoided	Not required — monks must accept whatever food offered
Language	Ardha-Magadhi Prakrit	Pali

Contribution to Indian Culture

• Ashoka’s Propagation: Emperor Ashoka (268-232 BCE) adopted Buddhism, built stupas (Sanchi, Bharhut), and sent missionaries to Sri Lanka, Southeast Asia, and the Mediterranean
• Nalanda: World’s first residential university — Buddhist center of learning
• Architecture: Stupas at Sanchi, Sarnath, Bharhut; rock-cut caves at Ajanta, Ellora
• Literature: Jataka tales, Panchatantra influences, Buddhist Pali literature

TNPSC-Specific High-Yield Points

• Mahavira: 24th Tirthankara; connected to Parsvanatha (23rd Tirthankara)
• Buddha’s First Sermon: At Sarnath — the “Dharmachakra Pravartana” or “Setting in Motion the Wheel of Dharma”
• Buddha’s Four Sights: Old man, sick man, corpse, ascetic
• Ashoka’s Dhamma: Not a religion but an ethical code — “Edicts of Ashoka” on pillars
• Nalanda University: Founded in the 5th century CE; destroyed in 1193 by Turkish invader Bakhtiyar Khilji
• Ajanta and Ellora: Buddhist caves reflecting Buddhist art evolution
• Bodh Gaya: Site of Buddha’s enlightenment — most sacred Buddhist site

Practice Questions (Previous Year TNPSC Patterns)

1. The first sermon of Buddha was preached at: a) Lumbini b) Bodh Gaya c) Sarnath d) Kushinagar

2. Mahavira was born in: a) Kapilavastu b) Kundalagrama c) Vaishali d) Pawapuri

3. The Ajanta caves are located in the state of: a) Karnataka b) Maharashtra c) Andhra Pradesh d) Madhya Pradesh

4. Ashoka’s Dhamma was essentially: a) A new religion b) An ethical code of conduct c) A set of rituals d) A philosophical doctrine

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