Vaishali Institute Research Bulletin 6

Author(s): L C Jain
Publisher: Research Institute of Prakrit Jainology & Ahimsa Mujjaffarpur

Page 270

SOME COMMON FEATURES OF BUDDHISM AND JAINISM*
DR. (MRS.) SUNITA JAIN
Buddhism and Jainism-two ancient Śramana Traditions of India played an important part in the history of religions and cultures. Though there are basic doctrinal difference in these religions, there are many common features which deserve special attention of scholars in recent awakening in learning.
Vardhamana Mahavira, the twentyfourth Tirthankara of Jainism and Gautama the Buddha, the founder of Buddhism, were born in one and the same age i. e. Sixth Century B. C. Mahavira was a senior contemporary of Buddha. The age which gave rise to these two great apostles of peace and non-violence, was an age of great significance in the history of mankind. The period between 800 and 200 B. C. is characterised as an axial period of history. During the period, the focus of interest shifted from a study of nature to the study of man. The great philosophers and religious leaders all over the world turned their attention inward to the study of man. The age and environment which gave rise to Mahavira and Buddha, was an age when the entire civilized world was surcharged with an unprecedented emotional stir, intellectual awakening and speculative thinking. The rise of these two men in India was part of this awakening.
Mahavira and Buddha both proclaimed that a true man is the highest achievement of life, and that all men are equal. Everyone deserves freedom, fraternity and equal rights of progress. Caste, creed, colour or race do not come in the way of these fundamental rights of a man. This search of a true man was the basic oneness of these two great leaders of mankind. Thus Mahavira and Buddha started preaching for the welfare and happiness of the world at large bahujanahitaya bahujanasukhiya. Both started teaching of maitri and karunā love and compassion to all. They tried to find out the from dukkha, misery. And it is how vinaya, man was worked out.
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* Paper read in 'First International Conference on Buddhism and National Cultures', New Delhi, October 10-15, 1984.