Buddhism and Jainism compared
Buddhism and Jainism side by side: where each began, what they teach, their scriptures, holy days and symbols, and the beliefs and practices they share.
Buddhism took shape in the Ganges plain, northern India (5th century BCE); Jainism in the Ganges plain, northern India (6th–5th century BCE). Of the 24 broad features compared here, they share 9: no creator god, rebirth, karma, a written scripture, monks and nuns, pilgrimage, fasting, images in worship and non-violence to all life. Only Buddhism: a founder or prophet. Only Jainism: rules about food.
Buddhism only
- A founder or prophet
Both
- No creator god
- Rebirth
- Karma
- A written scripture
- Monks and nuns
- Pilgrimage
- Fasting
- Images in worship
- Non-violence to all life
Jainism only
- Rules about food
Side by side
| Question | Buddhism | Jainism |
|---|---|---|
| Where it began | The Ganges plain, northern India | The Ganges plain, northern India |
| When | 5th century BCE | 6th–5th century BCE |
| Founders and key figures | Siddhartha Gautama, called the Buddha (“the awakened one”) | Mahavira, the 24th Tirthankara; Jains believe he renewed an eternal teaching |
| Followers today | 324 million (about 4% of the world, 2020) | 4.5 million (in India, 0.4% of its people, 2011) |
| At the heart of it | The Four Noble Truths: There is suffering, It arises from craving, It can cease, A path leads there | The Three Jewels: Right faith, Right knowledge, Right conduct |
| Scriptures | Pali Canon (Tipitaka); Mahayana sutras; Chinese canon; Tibetan canon | The Agamas; Tattvartha Sutra; Kalpa Sutra |
| Main branches | Theravada, Mahayana | Digambara, Shvetambara |
| Holy days | Vesak, Asalha Puja, Obon, Kathina, Bodhi Day, Losar | Mahavir Jayanti, Akshaya Tritiya, Paryushana, Diwali |
| Symbols | Dharma wheel, Lotus, Bodhi leaf, Stupa | Ahimsa hand, Three jewels and crescent, Lotus |