Buddhism and Jainism

Buddhism and Jainism are two branches of the śramaṇa tradition that still exist today. Mahavira and Gautama Buddha were contemporaries. Jainism and Buddhism share many features, including much of the same terminology.

Jainism and Buddhism agree that release from the cycle of births and deaths can be accelerated through effort.

History

Buddhism separates itself from the Jain tradition by teaching an alternative to Jain asceticism. Buddhist scriptures record that during Prince Siddhartha's ascetic life (before attaining enlightenment) he undertook many fasts, penances and austerities, the descriptions of which are elsewhere found only in the Jain tradition. In Majjhima Nikaya, Buddha shares his experience:

These are in conformity with the conduct of a Digambara Jain monk. Ultimately, the Buddha abandoned reliance upon these methods on his discovery of a Middle Way. In Jainism, there exists a non-extreme pathway for śrāvakas (lay practitioners) with minor vows. Some Buddhist teachings, principles, and terms used in Buddhism are identical to those of Jainism, but they may hold different or variant meanings for each.