Jainism Part 1

Jainism first developed in northeastern India, in the same region that gave rise to Buddhism.

Nataputta Vardhamana ["Founder of Jainism"] and the Buddha rebelled against aspects of Vedic tradition by:

—Refusing to accept the authority of the Vedas

—Refusing to accept the authority of the Vedic gods

—Rejecting the priestly class

—Placing emphasis and importance on self-purification and meditation

Although Buddhism followed a deliberate path of moderation — ["A middle way"] — Jainism glorified austerity.

While the Buddha rejected both nudity and suicide as well as intense austerity, Mahavira's ["Nataputta Vardhamana"] breakthrough experience of enlightenment and liberation, most Jains believe, was due to the founder's immense harshness toward himself.

Mahavira was successful precisely due to acceptance — and even seeking — of cold, heat, poverty, nakedness, and extreme humiliation.

However, the way of extreme austerity is for extremely disciplined individuals only. For many, even for monks and nuns, the intensity must be softened according to life's circumstances.

Because Jainism expanded to various parts of India, with their differences in culture and climate, several branches of Jainism arose, which interpret the basic principles and teachings with some differences.

They are:

—Digambaras

—Shvetambaras

—Sthanakavasis

—Terapanthis

These branches of Jainism will be discussed at a later time.

Question[s]

Comparing the lives of Mahavira and the Buddha. How are they remarkably alike, and what might their dissimilarities be?

Would you agree or disagree that Jainism contrasts greatly with Buddhism in terms of austerity? Why?

Did you find the O.P to be helpful?