How Different Are Jain And Hindu Philosophies And Practices
JAINISM and Hinduism are two peas in a pod.
Two of the most remarkable religions, refined along the same lines of dharmic principles, followed by millions around the world.
Each having its own theory of origin, its own set of doctrines, metaphysical ideology and practices. Yet so similar on the outside.
Over centuries of evolving together they have grown so similar to each other that even the Supreme Court of India could legally recognize Jainism as a distinct religion in the year 2006.
This comparative meditation dives into the differences in the philosophies, practices and evolution of Jainism and Hinduism with respect to each other.
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1. Jainism doesn't believe in God as the creater of the Universe, while Hinduism believes in God as the constructor (Brahma), controller (Vishnu) and destructor (Shiva) of the Universe. That look over the world along with Nature (Shakti).
2. Except for the idol worshipping there's little to no symbolism in Jainism. While Hinduism being a religion based on the allegorical hymns of the Vedas has a good amount of symbolism explaining natural phenomenons, for e.g. monsoon symbolises Indra, oceans symbolise Varuna, even death is managed by a deity called Yama. Shakti symbolises femininity or nature. Specific animals and plants too symbolise some deities.
3. Due to the larger size and follower count, the varying interpretations of the central philosophies of Hinduism among its different sects and sub-religions (viz. Vaishnavism, Shaivism, Mimansa, Dwaita etc.) create ambiguities and juxtaposition. Sects of Jainism (viz. Digambara, Shwetambara etc.) on the other hand don't have major differences in their central tenets, however practices may/do differ.
4. Hinduism accepts the concept of immortality while Jainism rejects it even for heavenly beings. Both believe in reincarnation of Individual souls.
5. Jainism doesn't believe in the authority of the Vedas and doesn't believe in the reincarnation of Gods as humans while holding that humans have the ability to become God. Whereas the Vedic philosophical ideas are laid upon the Vedas which hold that God does reincarnate for the sake of humanity.
6. Worship of specific animals and plants is another form of symbolism in Hinduism which represents it pagan nature and culture due to its close association with nature. Jainism doesn't recommend worship of animals, instead supports non-violence to protect all the living beings including microorganisms.
7. The image of God is another huge philosophical difference between both religions. Hinduism accepts Gods, Demi-Gods, Protector-Deities, some plants and some animals as worship worthy while Jainism is a bitheistic religion and believes in liberated souls and Enlightened beings as Gods. Monks are considered venerable and put of a five step pedestal called Panch Parameshthi.
8. Jainism and Hinduism have many similar doctrinal features, including the concepts of samsara, karma and moksha. However, they differ in the precise nature and meaning of these concepts.
9. Within the doctrine of Jainism, there exist extremely many metaphysical concepts which are not found in the original Vedic literature, some of which are Dharma and Adharma Tattva (which are seen as substances within the Jain metaphysical system), Gunasthanas and Lesyas. The epistemological concepts of Anekantavada and Syadvada too are not to be found in the Vedas.
10. In Hinduism, moksha means merging of the soul with the Universal soul or eternal stay in paradise, in Jainism, it is action-less and peaceful existence after enlightenment.
11. Karma is an invisible force in Hinduism which governs the future of a soul, whereas in Jainism it is a form of matter that can stick to soul.
1. Jainism preaches absolute form of non-violence and doesn't support it in any form, whereas a few pagan Vedic practices such as Yagnas included animal sacrifice to appease Gods (still prevalent in parts of India, Nepal and Indonesia).
2. Hinduism often prescribes different versions of fasting and worships for specific materialistic benefits while Jainism disapproves fasting and worshipping for fulfilling desires. Both however agree that penance purifies soul.
3. The Vedas don't condemn or support any specific diet. Various communities and castes following Hinduism eat according to their own choices and traditions. Jain scripture, on the other hand advice strict vegetarianism. Practicing Jains often refrain from eating roots and after dusk. Jains are generally lacto vegans.
4. Hindu way of worship is little different from the Jain way. Hindu offerings include flowers, fruits, grains, clothes, ornaments et cetera while Jains worship using rice called as Akshat. Some sects including Beespanthi Digambara and Shwetambara Jain communities use flowers, fruits, incense sticks and other grains in their worship rituals too.
5. Hindus worship the trinity along with Shakti as central deities. The Vedas mention nature Gods such as water, air, sun et cetera. Worshipping of various other pagan Gods, Demi-Gods, Protector-Deities, some plants and animals is prevalent too.
Jains mainly worship tirthankaras as their central deities. With the exception of some protector deities such as Padmavati, Kshetrapal, Nakoda Bhairav, Ghantakarn Mahavira et cetera.
Modern Hinduism is the successor of the Vedic tradition vaguely follwed by the Indo-Aryan. The coinage of modern Hinduism dates back to as late as 6th century BCE after the Vedic era. Vedic era dates back to second millennium BCE.
Jainism is considered as a Sraman tradition religion. The earliest proof of its existence dates back to as early as 9th century BCE. Mahavira (6th century BCE) is venerated as the 24th Tirthankara of Avsarpini by Jains.
Hindus believe Hinduism to be "Sanatan" that literally means "ever-existing" and claim that no one founded it. Jains believe Jainism to be "Shashwata" that too translates to "ever existing" and claim that no one founded it.
Both the religions have successfully co-existed in parallel for millenniums.
Though extremely different and distinct from each other in philosophy, cosmology, epistemology and and practices. Both, Jainism and Hinduism have left a certain similar impact on the Indian subcontinent and the world and that is to make the Indian culture beautiful.
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Two of the most remarkable religions, refined along the same lines of dharmic principles, followed by millions around the world.
Each having its own theory of origin, its own set of doctrines, metaphysical ideology and practices. Yet so similar on the outside.
Over centuries of evolving together they have grown so similar to each other that even the Supreme Court of India could legally recognize Jainism as a distinct religion in the year 2006.
Read How Jainism got its own identity separate from Hinduism :
How Jainism Got Recognised As An Independent Religion
How Jainism Got Recognised As An Independent Religion
This comparative meditation dives into the differences in the philosophies, practices and evolution of Jainism and Hinduism with respect to each other.
Navigate to :
Diffrences In The Philosophies Of Jainism And Hinduism
1. Jainism doesn't believe in God as the creater of the Universe, while Hinduism believes in God as the constructor (Brahma), controller (Vishnu) and destructor (Shiva) of the Universe. That look over the world along with Nature (Shakti).
2. Except for the idol worshipping there's little to no symbolism in Jainism. While Hinduism being a religion based on the allegorical hymns of the Vedas has a good amount of symbolism explaining natural phenomenons, for e.g. monsoon symbolises Indra, oceans symbolise Varuna, even death is managed by a deity called Yama. Shakti symbolises femininity or nature. Specific animals and plants too symbolise some deities.
3. Due to the larger size and follower count, the varying interpretations of the central philosophies of Hinduism among its different sects and sub-religions (viz. Vaishnavism, Shaivism, Mimansa, Dwaita etc.) create ambiguities and juxtaposition. Sects of Jainism (viz. Digambara, Shwetambara etc.) on the other hand don't have major differences in their central tenets, however practices may/do differ.
4. Hinduism accepts the concept of immortality while Jainism rejects it even for heavenly beings. Both believe in reincarnation of Individual souls.
5. Jainism doesn't believe in the authority of the Vedas and doesn't believe in the reincarnation of Gods as humans while holding that humans have the ability to become God. Whereas the Vedic philosophical ideas are laid upon the Vedas which hold that God does reincarnate for the sake of humanity.
6. Worship of specific animals and plants is another form of symbolism in Hinduism which represents it pagan nature and culture due to its close association with nature. Jainism doesn't recommend worship of animals, instead supports non-violence to protect all the living beings including microorganisms.
7. The image of God is another huge philosophical difference between both religions. Hinduism accepts Gods, Demi-Gods, Protector-Deities, some plants and some animals as worship worthy while Jainism is a bitheistic religion and believes in liberated souls and Enlightened beings as Gods. Monks are considered venerable and put of a five step pedestal called Panch Parameshthi.
8. Jainism and Hinduism have many similar doctrinal features, including the concepts of samsara, karma and moksha. However, they differ in the precise nature and meaning of these concepts.
9. Within the doctrine of Jainism, there exist extremely many metaphysical concepts which are not found in the original Vedic literature, some of which are Dharma and Adharma Tattva (which are seen as substances within the Jain metaphysical system), Gunasthanas and Lesyas. The epistemological concepts of Anekantavada and Syadvada too are not to be found in the Vedas.
10. In Hinduism, moksha means merging of the soul with the Universal soul or eternal stay in paradise, in Jainism, it is action-less and peaceful existence after enlightenment.
11. Karma is an invisible force in Hinduism which governs the future of a soul, whereas in Jainism it is a form of matter that can stick to soul.
Differences In Jain And Hindu Practices
1. Jainism preaches absolute form of non-violence and doesn't support it in any form, whereas a few pagan Vedic practices such as Yagnas included animal sacrifice to appease Gods (still prevalent in parts of India, Nepal and Indonesia).
2. Hinduism often prescribes different versions of fasting and worships for specific materialistic benefits while Jainism disapproves fasting and worshipping for fulfilling desires. Both however agree that penance purifies soul.
3. The Vedas don't condemn or support any specific diet. Various communities and castes following Hinduism eat according to their own choices and traditions. Jain scripture, on the other hand advice strict vegetarianism. Practicing Jains often refrain from eating roots and after dusk. Jains are generally lacto vegans.
4. Hindu way of worship is little different from the Jain way. Hindu offerings include flowers, fruits, grains, clothes, ornaments et cetera while Jains worship using rice called as Akshat. Some sects including Beespanthi Digambara and Shwetambara Jain communities use flowers, fruits, incense sticks and other grains in their worship rituals too.
5. Hindus worship the trinity along with Shakti as central deities. The Vedas mention nature Gods such as water, air, sun et cetera. Worshipping of various other pagan Gods, Demi-Gods, Protector-Deities, some plants and animals is prevalent too.
Jains mainly worship tirthankaras as their central deities. With the exception of some protector deities such as Padmavati, Kshetrapal, Nakoda Bhairav, Ghantakarn Mahavira et cetera.
Difference In The Evolution Of Jainism And Hinduism
Modern Hinduism is the successor of the Vedic tradition vaguely follwed by the Indo-Aryan. The coinage of modern Hinduism dates back to as late as 6th century BCE after the Vedic era. Vedic era dates back to second millennium BCE.
Jainism is considered as a Sraman tradition religion. The earliest proof of its existence dates back to as early as 9th century BCE. Mahavira (6th century BCE) is venerated as the 24th Tirthankara of Avsarpini by Jains.
Hindus believe Hinduism to be "Sanatan" that literally means "ever-existing" and claim that no one founded it. Jains believe Jainism to be "Shashwata" that too translates to "ever existing" and claim that no one founded it.
Both the religions have successfully co-existed in parallel for millenniums.
Though extremely different and distinct from each other in philosophy, cosmology, epistemology and and practices. Both, Jainism and Hinduism have left a certain similar impact on the Indian subcontinent and the world and that is to make the Indian culture beautiful.
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