Tell 5 differences between the teachings of lord buddha and lord mahavira
Answers
Explanation:
From where I see, there is no difference between the two. They both were enlightened Shramana masters. Jina - The Mahavira was the last and 24th Tirthankara (Ford-maker) of Shramana tradition and Gautama - The Buddha its brightest star ever because of whom this tradition is now well known across the globe.
However, this answer will not go well with the followers of Jainism and with with those of Buddhism as each of the followers regard their own master to be completely enlightened and the other as heretic preacher.
Thus, to justify my answer, I will try and explain in detail in below two sections. Please pardon me for a long answer, but its important so that I may not be accused of Mithyatya or Wrong-Insight by either of the two groups for comparing two assumed unequals as equal.
In first section, I will discuss what general believers of Jainism and Buddhism believes about the masters of the opposite creed and the probable reasons of the same, and then explain why these assumptions are wrong.
In the second section I will explain whether its possible for two completely enlightened masters to co-exist as per Shramana school - the mother of both traditions.
1st Section:
What does Buddhist annals claim of Jina?
Jina, is referred to as one of the six great contemporaries of Buddha. He is often associated with one of the extreme wings of various Shramana schools that existed during the time of Buddha and is thus claimed as faulty.
Nothing could be further than truth as Jina unequivocally denounced such practices.
Further, a lot of Buddhist annals associate a lot of philosophies with Jina that were never the part of His teachings.
Say for eg, Majjhima Nikaya 1, Saccaka, has been shown to be a Jain monk - the follower of Nigan.tha. This is not true, for neither his philosophy is in tune with the message of Jina, nor is his description or lifestyle in tune with that of Jain monks. The below are a few examples.
- Saccaka claims his material body, feelings, perceptions etc to be his true self. This is not so as per Jainism. Body and bodily properties made of matter are referred to as "Pudgal" (matter) which is one of the six fundamental substances (Dravya) of universe. The concept of self in Jainism is referred to as "Jiva". This is another of the six fundamental substances that constitutes universe. It means "The Being" or "Soul" which is caught in the cycle of transmigration till it achieves Moksha. No follower of Jainism would ever equate puddgal (matter) that the body or mind is made off with Jiva or soul.
Saccaka prepared food in His own monastery. The fact is that Jain monks do not cook or even live in resident monasteries even till today i.e. 2600 years after Jina.
He invites Buddha and his disciples for meal and asks Licchivies to bring meal. Jain monks never ask anyone to bring meal, but beg for alms for themselves or for their peers. They never ask for food to be brought for themselves or for any guest.
- He is suppose to have hairs, while Jain monks did not had any. (They pulled them out by their own hands (loch)).
Answer:
There are many similarities between the life of Mahavira and the Buddha.
Both were born in the northeast of the Indian subcontinent in the 6th Century BC.
They both were born to royal families living an early life of material comfort.
They both married and a had a child.
In their 20s, they both renounced worldly possessions and left their families and kingdoms to pursue spiritual enlightenment as ascetics.
After a period of intense spiritual discipline and asceticism, both attained spiritual liberation and after began to teach and preach on a practical spirituality which emphasised a path to spiritual liberation.
There were many similarities in their teachings – ending caste distinctions, teaching ahimsa, meditation, reincarnation and compassion to living beings.
They both spoke in the common language and taught in simple parables, downplaying Sanskrit texts.
They are both pictured sitting in the lotus posture.
Both overcame religious convention to accept women as disciples and initiate them into a new monastic order for women.
Both teachers experienced hostility from those who wished to injure them because they were jealous of their spiritual popularity.
Both died in their 70s, leaving behind disciples to continue their religion.
I hope it helps you
thank you