About Jainism and Buddhism
The 6th century BC was a period of great religious and intellectual ferment in India. It is often called the age of religious reform, when as many as 62 heterodox sects arose. Two of them, Jainism and Buddhism, survived and became world religions. Both arose in the middle Ganga valley, both were founded by Kshatriyas, both used Prakrit (the language of the common people) instead of Sanskrit, and both rejected the authority of the Vedas, the rigid caste system and animal sacrifice.
Several causes explain the rise of these movements: reaction against the expensive and ritual-heavy Vedic sacrifices, discontent with the rigid varna system, the rise of towns and trade that created a wealthy Vaishya class, and Kshatriya resentment of Brahmana dominance. Both religions offered a simpler and more ethical path that anyone could follow, regardless of birth.
Jainism has 24 Tirthankaras. The first is Rishabhanatha (Adinatha) and the 23rd is Parshvanatha. The 24th and last was Vardhamana Mahavira (traditionally 599–527 BC), born at Kundagrama near Vaishali in Bihar. His father was Siddhartha, a chief of the Jnatrika clan, and his mother was Trishala, a Lichchhavi princess. He married Yashoda and had a daughter, Priyadarshini. At the age of 30 he renounced the world, and after 12 years of severe austerity he attained Kevala Jnana (omniscience) at the age of 42; he became the Mahavira and Jina (the conqueror), from which the name Jainism comes. He died at Pavapuri in Bihar at the age of 72.
Jainism teaches five vows: Ahimsa (non-violence), Satya (truth), Asteya (non-stealing), Aparigraha (non-possession) and Brahmacharya (celibacy). Its three jewels, the Triratna, are Right Faith, Right Knowledge and Right Conduct. Its philosophy includes Anekantavada (the many-sidedness of reality) and Syadvada. Jainism believes that salvation is achieved by self-effort and does not accept a creator God. After the death of Mahavira, divisions appeared, and Jainism split into the Digambara (sky-clad, mainly south India) and the Svetambara (white-clad, mainly north India) sects. Its sacred texts are the Agamas, including the 12 Angas.
Buddhism was founded by Gautama Buddha. He was born as Siddhartha in 563 BC at Lumbini (in present-day Nepal), in the Shakya clan. His father was Suddhodhana, chief of Kapilvastu, and his mother was Mayadevi. He married Yashodhara and had a son, Rahul. At the age of 29 he left home (Mahabhinishkramana), and after six years of search he attained enlightenment at the age of 35 at Bodh Gaya under the Bodhi tree; he then became the Buddha or Tathagata. He preached his first sermon at Sarnath (Dhammachakrapravartana) to five ascetics, and died at Kushinagar in 483 BC at the age of 80 (Mahaparinirvana).
The core of the Buddha’s teaching is the Four Noble Truths: that there is suffering (Dukkha), that it has a cause (Tanha, craving), that it can be ended (Nirodha), and that there is a path (Magga) to end it — the Eightfold Path. His teaching is a Middle Path between luxury and extreme austerity. Buddhism teaches Anatta (no permanent soul) and Anicca (impermanence), and it rejects the caste system. The Buddha organised the Sangha for monks and nuns. After his death four Buddhist Councils were held: the First at Rajgriha in 483 BC, the Second at Vaishali in 383 BC (when the Sangha split into the Sthaviravadins and the Mahasanghikas), the Third at Pataliputra c. 250 BC under Ashoka, and the Fourth at Kundalvana (Kashmir) c. 78 AD under Kanishka. The Buddhist scriptures are the Tripitaka: the Vinaya, Sutta and Abhidhamma Pitakas. Buddhism later split into the Hinayana (Theravada) and Mahayana schools. Its four holy places are Lumbini (birth), Bodh Gaya (enlightenment), Sarnath (first sermon) and Kushinagar (death).
Timeline of Jainism and Buddhism
- c. 599 BC: Birth of Vardhamana Mahavira at Kundagrama.
- c. 563 BC: Birth of Gautama Buddha at Lumbini.
- c. 527 BC: Death of Mahavira at Pavapuri.
- 483 BC: Death of the Buddha at Kushinagar; First Buddhist Council at Rajgriha.
- 383 BC: Second Buddhist Council at Vaishali, leading to the first split in the Sangha.
- c. 300 BC: First Jain Council at Pataliputra.
- c. 250 BC: Third Buddhist Council at Pataliputra under Ashoka.
- c. 78 AD: Fourth Buddhist Council at Kundalvana (Kashmir) under Kanishka.
- 512 AD: Second Jain Council at Vallabhi.
Main Facts about Jainism and Buddhism (Quick Revision Bullets)
- Tirthankaras in Jainism: 24.
- First Tirthankara: Rishabhanatha (Adinatha).
- 23rd Tirthankara: Parshvanatha.
- 24th Tirthankara: Vardhamana Mahavira.
- Birthplace of Mahavira: Kundagrama near Vaishali.
- Five vows of Jainism: Ahimsa, Satya, Asteya, Aparigraha and Brahmacharya.
- Three jewels of Jainism: Right Faith, Right Knowledge and Right Conduct.
- Two Jain sects: Digambara and Svetambara.
- Founder of Buddhism: Gautama Buddha.
- Birthplace of the Buddha: Lumbini (Nepal).
- Enlightenment: Bodh Gaya, under the Bodhi tree.
- First sermon: Sarnath (Dhammachakrapravartana).
- Death of the Buddha: Kushinagar, 483 BC.
- Four Noble Truths and Eightfold Path: the core of Buddhism.
- Buddhist scriptures: the Tripitaka (Vinaya, Sutta and Abhidhamma).
Important Persons and Terms
- Vardhamana Mahavira: the 24th Tirthankara of Jainism; born at Kundagrama; attained Kevala Jnana; died at Pavapuri.
- Rishabhanatha: the first Tirthankara of Jainism.
- Gautama Buddha: founder of Buddhism; born at Lumbini; attained enlightenment at Bodh Gaya; died at Kushinagar.
- Triratna: the three jewels of Jainism — Right Faith, Right Knowledge and Right Conduct.
- Anekantavada: the Jain doctrine of the many-sidedness of reality.
- Four Noble Truths: the foundation of the Buddha’s teaching about suffering and its end.
- Tripitaka: the three baskets of Buddhist scriptures.
- Sangha: the Buddhist order of monks and nuns.
Why Jainism and Buddhism Matter for Exams
This topic is asked both directly and through art, architecture and ancient history questions. Common questions include: How many Tirthankaras are there? (24.) Who was the 24th Tirthankara? (Vardhamana Mahavira.) Where was Mahavira born? (Kundagrama near Vaishali.) What are the five vows of Jainism? (Ahimsa, Satya, Asteya, Aparigraha and Brahmacharya.) Where was the Buddha born? (Lumbini.) Where did he attain enlightenment? (Bodh Gaya.) Where did he preach his first sermon? (Sarnath.) Where did he die? (Kushinagar.) What are the Buddhist scriptures called? (Tripitaka.) A frequent trap is to confuse the birthplace (Lumbini), the place of enlightenment (Bodh Gaya), the place of the first sermon (Sarnath) and the place of death (Kushinagar). Another trap is to say Mahavira founded Jainism; in fact he was the 24th Tirthankara, and the first was Rishabhanatha. Students should also remember that both religions used Prakrit and rejected the Vedas and the caste system.
How to Prepare Jainism and Buddhism
- Fix the founders. Buddhism: Gautama Buddha. Jainism: 24 Tirthankaras, with Mahavira as the last.
- Fix the four Buddhist places. Lumbini (birth), Bodh Gaya (enlightenment), Sarnath (first sermon) and Kushinagar (death).
- Learn the doctrines. Jainism: five vows, Triratna and Anekantavada. Buddhism: Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path.
- Learn the councils. Four Buddhist Councils and two Jain Councils, with their places and years.
- Learn the common features. Both used Prakrit, both rejected the Vedas and caste, and both were founded by Kshatriyas.
Common Exam Traps
- Lumbini is the birthplace, Bodh Gaya the place of enlightenment, Sarnath the place of the first sermon and Kushinagar the place of death.
- Mahavira was the 24th Tirthankara; Rishabhanatha was the first and Parshvanatha the 23rd.
- The Buddhist scriptures are the Tripitaka, not the Agamas (which are Jain).
- The split of the Sangha happened at the Second Buddhist Council (Vaishali), not the first.
- Both religions used Prakrit, not Sanskrit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who founded Buddhism and where was he born?
Buddhism was founded by Gautama Buddha, who was born as Siddhartha in 563 BC at Lumbini, in present-day Nepal.
How many Tirthankaras are there in Jainism and who was the last?
There are 24 Tirthankaras. The first was Rishabhanatha, the 23rd was Parshvanatha, and the 24th and last was Vardhamana Mahavira.
What are the Four Noble Truths of Buddhism?
They are: there is suffering (Dukkha); it has a cause (Tanha, craving); it can be ended (Nirodha); and there is a path to end it (Magga), namely the Eightfold Path.
What is the Tripitaka?
The Tripitaka, or ‘three baskets’, is the collection of Buddhist scriptures: the Vinaya Pitaka, the Sutta Pitaka and the Abhidhamma Pitaka.
Where were the first two Buddhist Councils held?
The First Buddhist Council was held at Rajgriha in 483 BC and the Second at Vaishali in 383 BC, where the Sangha first split.
What is common between Jainism and Buddhism?
Both arose in the 6th century BC in the middle Ganga valley, both were founded by Kshatriyas, both used Prakrit, both rejected the authority of the Vedas and the caste system, and both opposed animal sacrifice.