Question

life sketch of buddha and mahavira

Answer 1

Place of birth

Both born in almost same place (when you consider the size of the subcontinent). Buddha at Bihar-Nepal border in Lumbini or Kapilavastu, Mahavira at Vaishali in Bihar province about 150 miles south west of Lumbini.

Birth

Mahavira 540 BCE–468 BCE

The times of Gautama’s birth and death are uncertain: most historians in the early 20th century dated his lifetime as circa 563 BCE to 483 BCE, but more recent opinion dates his death to between 486 and 483 BCE or, according to some, between 411 and 400 BCE. However, at a symposium on this question held in 1988, the majority of those who presented definite opinions gave dates within 20 years either side of 400 BCE for the Buddha’s death. According to Pali scholar K. R. Norman, a life span for the Buddha of c. 480 to 400 BCE (and his teaching period roughly from c. 445 to 400 BCE) “fits the archaeological evidence better”.(Wikipedia)

Family

Both were princes

Mahavira left home at age 30, Buddha at 29.

Death

Buddha died at age of 80 at Kusinara, Uttar Pradesh province.

Mahavira died at age of 72 at Pawapuri, Bihar about 200 miles east of Kusinara.

Philosophy

Both are Sramana schools.

Both schools share the word arahant when referring to liberated ones.

Both assert right mind is superior to worship. Both reject the idea of a Creator God. Both speak of finding peace through self-control and renunciation.