Hinduism and Jainism compared
Hinduism and Jainism side by side: where each began, what they teach, their scriptures, holy days and symbols, and the beliefs and practices they share.
Hinduism took shape in the Indian subcontinent (from about 1500 BCE); Jainism in the Ganges plain, northern India (6th–5th century BCE). Of the 24 broad features compared here, they share 9: rebirth, karma, a written scripture, monks and nuns, pilgrimage, fasting, rules about food, images in worship and non-violence to all life. Only Hinduism: many gods or spirits, priests, sacred fire and sacred nature. Only Jainism: no creator god.
Hinduism only
- Many gods or spirits
- Priests
- Sacred fire
- Sacred nature
Both
- Rebirth
- Karma
- A written scripture
- Monks and nuns
- Pilgrimage
- Fasting
- Rules about food
- Images in worship
- Non-violence to all life
Jainism only
- No creator god
Side by side
| Question | Hinduism | Jainism |
|---|---|---|
| Where it began | The Indian subcontinent | The Ganges plain, northern India |
| When | From about 1500 BCE | 6th–5th century BCE |
| Founders and key figures | — | Mahavira, the 24th Tirthankara; Jains believe he renewed an eternal teaching |
| Followers today | 1.2 billion (about 15% of the world, 2020) | 4.5 million (in India, 0.4% of its people, 2011) |
| At the heart of it | The four goals of life: Dharma, right living, Artha, prosperity, Kama, love and pleasure, Moksha, liberation | The Three Jewels: Right faith, Right knowledge, Right conduct |
| Scriptures | The Vedas; The Upanishads; Mahabharata and Ramayana; The Puranas | The Agamas; Tattvartha Sutra; Kalpa Sutra |
| Main branches | Classical Hinduism | Digambara, Shvetambara |
| Holy days | Makar Sankranti, Maha Shivaratri, Holi, Janmashtami, Navaratri, Diwali | Mahavir Jayanti, Akshaya Tritiya, Paryushana, Diwali |
| Symbols | Om, Lotus, Trishula, Diya | Ahimsa hand, Three jewels and crescent, Lotus |