History & Civics
While Jainism and Buddhism have many similarities, they differ significantly in their origins, approaches to life, and spread. Jainism emphasises severe asceticism and remains confined to India, while Buddhism followed a moderate path and spread worldwide. With reference to this, answer the following questions:
(a) Compare the approach of Jainism and Buddhism towards non-violence and asceticism.
(b) How did the focus on the laity in Jainism differ from the reliance on the Sangha in Buddhism?
(c) Discuss the reasons why Buddhism spread beyond India, while Jainism remained limited to the Indian subcontinent.
Answer
(a) The approaches of Jainism and Buddhism towards non-violence and asceticism are similar but differ in strictness:
| Jainism | Buddhism |
|---|---|
| Jainism supported Ahimsa, or non-violence, which means not harming any living being, including humans, animals, plants, and even microorganisms. | Buddhism laid great stress on non-violence towards all living beings. He believed that man should neither kill nor harm animals. However, unlike Mahavira, he did not extend his concept of non-violence to objects such as plants and stones. |
| Jainism advocates severe asceticism. Renunciation of all worldly pleasures, rigorous fasting, self-discipline, and enduring physical hardship are essential for spiritual liberation (moksha). | Buddhism promotes the Middle Path — a balanced approach between indulgence and extreme asceticism. |
(b) The focus on the laity in Jainism differs from the reliance on the Sangha in Buddhism in the following ways:
| Laity | Sangha |
|---|---|
| Jains emphasise the role of laity (non-monastic followers) in supporting religious activities. | Buddhists rely more on the monastic Sangha for their religious practices. |
(c) Buddhism spread beyond India, while Jainism remained limited to the Indian subcontinent. This is due to the following reasons:
- Strict rules: The rigid practices of Jainism like severe penance and extreme non-violence, were hard for common people to follow.
- Division into sects: After Mahavira's death, Jainism split into two groups - Shwetambaras and Digambaras, which weakened unity and efforts to spread the religion.
- Lack of missionary effort: Unlike Buddhism, Jainism did not actively spread to other countries and remained limited to certain areas in India.
- Loss of Royal Patronage: Jainism did not receive much royal patronage compared to Buddhism, which was supported by rulers like Ashoka and Harsha.
- Social inequality: Although Jainism promoted equality, it did not completely remove social hierarchies, which reduced its appeal.
- Rise of Hinduism: During the Gupta period, the resurgence of Hinduism with royal patronage confined Jainism to smaller regions.
Related Questions
Analyse the importance of the Dharmachakrapravartana at Sarnath in spreading Buddha's teachings.
Jainism's decline was due to strict practices, limited missionary efforts, and the rise of Hinduism. Despite this, Jainism made significant cultural contributions. With reference to this, answer the following questions:
(a) What were the reasons for Jainism's decline?
(b) Discuss Jainism's contributions to Indian art, architecture, and literature.
Compare the concepts of Nirvana in Buddhism and Moksha in Jainism, focusing on their philosophical distinctions and religious significance.
Read the following excerpt and answer the questions that follow:
"This is also known as the 'middle path' because it avoids the extremes - happiness through sense pleasures and happiness through severe asceticism. The entire teaching of Buddha can be summarised into the eight-fold noble path."
(Source: https://egyankosh.ac.in/handle/123456789/35229)
(a) What is the Middle Path, and how does it differ from extreme asceticism and indulgence?
(b) Explain the relationship between the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path in achieving salvation.