Jainism is the belief that humans are imperfect. A human must control their thoughts and all of their senses. If this is done a person can attain perfection, freedom, and happiness. Buddhism’s central view is that humans create their own suffering, and by understanding this we can truly be free from the suffering. A Buddhist must take responsibility for their own happiness and their liberation. These two religions have some similarities and differences. They both have a central teacher that was important to the beginning of their foundations and teachings. Both Buddhism and Jainism also believe in the concepts of karma and nirvana. While they do share these beliefs, there are also differences within each one.
Jainism’s major teacher was Mahavira …show more content…
Jains believe that they are “reborn again and again until they finally free themselves from samsara, the wheel of birth and death” (123). Jains believe their souls are entities that get weighed down by negative karma. When a soul is liberated they are “omniscient, shining, potent, peaceful, self-contained, and blissful” (124). A Jains goal is to unshackle the soul from the bondage of karma. When a soul is in its bound state it must go through the cycle of birth and death. A soul or jiva reaches liberation when it can free itself from the suffering and miseries of earthly life by leading a pure life free from material attachments. Once the soul is free, it achieves Nirvana. Buddhists differ from Jains in that they do not believe there is a soul that is reborn. To a Buddhist there is no soul in need of salvation. Their only goal is to attain Nirvana. “In Buddhism, each phenomenon or event acts as a cause that sets another into motion” (Fisher, 146). Buddhism looks at liberation purely from a physical and mental perspective. To leave the cycle of rebirth a Buddhist must realize non-greed, non-hate, and non-delusion (Fisher, 146). Just like Jains, Buddhists can be born into many forms, the highest being human. Buddhists must go through the cycle of samsara, as a result of their actions and mental shortcomings, until finally “purifying their minds of greed, hatred, ignorance, and other …show more content…
Instead, our lives are based on our own deeds and it takes our own efforts to be saved. “Like Buddhists, Jains believe that our actions influence the future course of our current life, and of our lives to come” (Fisher, 124). Karma as the Jains see it is a substance that clings to your soul that can only be cleansed through vows, pure conduct, and severe austerities. A person must free themselves of karma before they reach a state of kevala, or the highest state of perfection. Before this happens a soul will wander through the universe in a cycle of birth, death, and rebirth. Jains believe that rebirth as a human is the highest stage of life (Fisher, 125). There are three principles they adopt to avoid gaining too much karma. These are ahimsa (nonviolence), aparigraha (non attachment), and anekantwad (non-absolutism) (Fisher, 125). Buddhists also believe in karma, but in a slightly different manner. To a Buddhist, karma is the “action of body, speech, and mind” (Fisher, 146). Karma is a consequence of a Buddhist’s past actions that clings to their personality. This karma leaves an impression of a person’s past and helps to determine their future. Good actions lead to good karma and bad actions to bad karma. Following the eightfold path and the four noble truths is the way for a Buddhist to get rid of the negative karma and find
Jainism’s major teacher was Mahavira …show more content…
Jains believe that they are “reborn again and again until they finally free themselves from samsara, the wheel of birth and death” (123). Jains believe their souls are entities that get weighed down by negative karma. When a soul is liberated they are “omniscient, shining, potent, peaceful, self-contained, and blissful” (124). A Jains goal is to unshackle the soul from the bondage of karma. When a soul is in its bound state it must go through the cycle of birth and death. A soul or jiva reaches liberation when it can free itself from the suffering and miseries of earthly life by leading a pure life free from material attachments. Once the soul is free, it achieves Nirvana. Buddhists differ from Jains in that they do not believe there is a soul that is reborn. To a Buddhist there is no soul in need of salvation. Their only goal is to attain Nirvana. “In Buddhism, each phenomenon or event acts as a cause that sets another into motion” (Fisher, 146). Buddhism looks at liberation purely from a physical and mental perspective. To leave the cycle of rebirth a Buddhist must realize non-greed, non-hate, and non-delusion (Fisher, 146). Just like Jains, Buddhists can be born into many forms, the highest being human. Buddhists must go through the cycle of samsara, as a result of their actions and mental shortcomings, until finally “purifying their minds of greed, hatred, ignorance, and other …show more content…
Instead, our lives are based on our own deeds and it takes our own efforts to be saved. “Like Buddhists, Jains believe that our actions influence the future course of our current life, and of our lives to come” (Fisher, 124). Karma as the Jains see it is a substance that clings to your soul that can only be cleansed through vows, pure conduct, and severe austerities. A person must free themselves of karma before they reach a state of kevala, or the highest state of perfection. Before this happens a soul will wander through the universe in a cycle of birth, death, and rebirth. Jains believe that rebirth as a human is the highest stage of life (Fisher, 125). There are three principles they adopt to avoid gaining too much karma. These are ahimsa (nonviolence), aparigraha (non attachment), and anekantwad (non-absolutism) (Fisher, 125). Buddhists also believe in karma, but in a slightly different manner. To a Buddhist, karma is the “action of body, speech, and mind” (Fisher, 146). Karma is a consequence of a Buddhist’s past actions that clings to their personality. This karma leaves an impression of a person’s past and helps to determine their future. Good actions lead to good karma and bad actions to bad karma. Following the eightfold path and the four noble truths is the way for a Buddhist to get rid of the negative karma and find