Abstract
"This essay, which bears the title, ""JAINISM AND CHRISTIANITY: SIMILARITIES AND DIFFERENCES,"" is a Comparative Religions essay discussing the difference and similarities between the east Indian faith of Jainism and Christianity, the largest religion in the world. It focuses on the similar stress on the renunciation of worldly possessions which is central to Jainism and has been imortant in Christianity. "

From the Paper
JAINISM AND CHRISTIANITY: SIMILARITIES AND DIFFERENCES Every religion is regarded as a response to a basic human need. Reflecting this, comparative studies note commonalities among religions, while also noting radical differences. Jainism and Christianity reflect these feature. Among their similarities are: advocating the renunciation of earthly possessions in pursuit of a religious ideal; believing that wrongful acts can stain the soul; and an adherence to monogamous relationships. Notable among their differences are that Jains do not believe in a distinct divine being or God; Jains believe in reincarnation; and Jains believe that humans can cleanse their souls of the effects of

Tags:christianity, jainism, renunciation

Abstract
This paper follows Joshi's model of both Buddhism and Jainism as revivals of pre-Vedic traditions of personal stoicism, renunciation and detachment, and both as reactions to brahmanism seen as a philosophical corruption. The paper notes that Buddhism travelled beyond India whereas Jainism enjoyed a particular community basis of endogamy and a period of royal patronage to become a tradition confined to India. The paper focuses on Jainism as it tends to be less understood by non-Jains as compared to Buddhism.

From the Paper
"Brahmanical ideas and practices forever produce reactions in South Asian religious movements. The Buddha rejected some Vedic principles in favour of four noble truths and the eight-fold path permitting the individual to achieve nirvana. Mahavira similarly formulated his philosophy by becoming an ascetic, turning to an oral tradition later produced in both Prakit and Sanskrit which focuses on moksha or transcendental emancipation as a central teaching, accomplished through three `jewels' of what became Jainism in right belief, right knowledge and right conduct. As in much..."

Tags:jainism, buddhism, contrasts

Abstract
This paper examines why Jainism over time has tended to reject Buddhism or suggestions of Buddhist similarity. The paper offers an explanation of Jain origins, ideas of dharma, penance, the soul and moksha through personal efforts. Several areas of similarity are explained in terms of the Jain reaction, and the 12th century period of new conversions is examined. The paper also looks at comments on Jains by members of other Indian communities.

From the Paper
"Buddhism and Jainism share similarities as sramana movements critical of caste distinctions and positive about personal effort as the path to liberation. Jains believe that the self is eternal whereas most Buddhists reject the concept of a personal soul. Westerners have been many times confused by the Jain concept of ahimsa or nonviolence more often associated with Buddhism, some Jains taking ahimsa to the extreme of avoiding the injury or death of any creature whereas Jains find Buddhists..."

Tags:jainism, buddhism, exclusivity

Abstract
The paper examines the religions of Buddhism and Jainism.

From the Paper
"Some areas of the world are particularly important to the development of religious ideas. South Asia is just one of these areas. Many religions developed in this region. For example, in "Introduction" Kim Skoog notes, "Jainism is one of the three main religio-philosophical traditions to arise within India, along with Hinduism and Buddhism"(Skoog 2000:321). What this means is that a number of religions evolved and cross fertilized each other in South Asia. Therefore, it is not surprising that they often share a number of characteristics. Two religions that seem to share a number of characteristics are Buddhism..."

Tags:buddhism, jainism, ethics

Abstract
The paper addresses the ethical similarities between Buddhism and Jainism. The paper's annoted biblography has eight entries listed and each entry tries to tell the reader what each source is about and also talks about why the source is important.

From the Paper
"Berger, Douglas, "In Search of Affinities" in Philosophy of East And West, Vol.58, Iss.4, Oct 2008: 583-594. This article is very important for understanding both Buddhism and Jainism. It clearly shows how both religions developed in India before spreading out to other regions. One of the other important aspects of this article is that it clearly shows a fundamental difference between Buddhism and Jainism. The fundamental difference is how both religions deal with concepts of otherness and interdependence. Buddhism uses an exclusionary approach."

Tags:buddhism, jainism, ethics

Abstract
The paper discusses Jainism's departure from Buddhism and what Jains believe about their religion's origins and their own, as very different from Buddhism and Buddhists. The paper notes the similarities of belief, the differences of ritual and how Jains rejected Buddhists as inferior in the 12th century.

From the Paper
"Jainism shares concepts with Indian Buddhism, led by concern for ahimsa or nonviolence that some Jains take the extreme of avoiding the death of any creature. One also finds a strong emphasis on dharma that Jains interpret slightly different but that also descends from the ideal of 'duty' as an Indian Buddhist borrowing from Hinduism. The paper will focus on how Jains came to reject Buddhism and to points of ostracizing Indian Buddhists. Who became a Jain? This section pays attention to the matter of lineage, how Jains regard..."

Tags:outline, buddhism, jainism

Abstract
This paper explains that, while Buddhism has developed different sects, Jainism has developed as a distinctive endogamous community marked by its religious tradition. The author points out that Buddhism was a product of Kshastriya groups, who questioned Brahmanism; whereas, Jainas flatly rejected various Vedic teaching in favor of concepts of the individual, regardless of birth, who must work to purify his or her own soul. The paper relates that the Buddha is much more famous due to his philosophy having moved through all of Asia; whereas, Jainism spread through Indian trading communities liberated from a lower status bestowed by the Brahmanical system of varna. The author underscores that both traditions continue to offer a daily and personal prescription for life just as they offer choices in monastic and lay devotional activities.

Outline:
Introduction
The Appeal of Buddhism and Jainism
Jainism - Another Reflection of the Same Tradition?
Jainism's Soul and Personality
Syncretism and Appeal
Conclusion - Religion and Location

From the Paper
"Jains are much concerned by matters of action or karman, believing that acts can especially darken or interfere with the soul which should by bright and free, as is its nature, if properly maintained. Bad deeds will pollute the soul and have a way of adhering to it, harder to correct than good deals which are easily dispelled. According to Robinson, austerity can help to remove karman already incurred just as restraint stops the arrival of new karman. The jina or 'victors' are the true followers who achieve moksha when still in the body, living out the last of their lives through forces of residual karman."

Tags:india, balanced life, community sutras interior

Abstract
This paper explains that Jainism often is seen as very similar to Hinduism and Buddhism, since all three religions preach the doctrine of achieving 'moksh' or release from the recurring cycle of reincarnation. Jainism, however, differs significantly in its conception of the universe and soul and in its conception of life and death. The author points out Jainism's central doctrine of 'ahimsa,' or non-violence, non-action, and non-attachment, is based on Jainism's worldview that there is too much violence and suffering involved in the continuous cycle of birth and death. The paper relates that Jainism helps its followers overcome the fear of death by projecting the promise of a state of eternal bliss, painting a rather divine picture of liberated souls rising through the universe to inhabit the 'siddha loka,' which is not 'the heaven' as understood by many world religions, but rather a place above the highest heaven at the very top of the universe.

From the Paper
"According to Jain doctrine, the universe is composed of both dead (ajiva) and living (jiva) matter. However, jiva and ajiva matter are not disparate. In other words, jiva matter contains ajiva elements, and the ajiva, jiva elements. The idea that living and dead matter are intermingled is an important one in understanding Jain doctrine, for it forms the very basis of the religion's conceptualization of ahimsa and the cycle of reincarnation."

Tags:austerity, reincarnation, ahimsa, universe, cycle

Abstract
This paper examines and explains the essential differences and similarities between Jainism and Hinduism. The paper explains that the main aspect that differentiates Jainism from Hinduism is the mode of thought in Jainism, which denies the theistic and ritualistic aspect that Hinduism incorporated into its doctrine. Another difference noted in the paper is Jainism's emphasis on liberation through self-knowledge and through the radical denial of the world and all sensual aspects associated with it. Finally, the paper notes that there are also many similarities between the two religions, one of which is the shared acceptance of Hindu gods.

From the Paper
"A comparison of these two faiths also brings attention to bear on the various interpretations of Hinduism. It should also be noted that Hinduism is not one homogeneous body of clear-cut practice and doctrine, it is in fact a complex amalgam of various interpretations and views that form a sometimes contradictory whole. Jainism also cannot be seen in isolation from the cultural and philosophical substratum from which it broke away."

Tags:buddhism, doctrine, philosophy, brahmanistic, stratification, society, ritual, theism

Abstract
The author of this paper describes how the Jains practice their religion, as observed by her visit to the Jain center of Northern California. The author points out that Jainism, also known as Jain Dharma, which is one of the most ancient religions in the world still existing today, was traditionally developed in ancient India in the 6th century B.C. The paper stresses that the basic structure of Jainism and beliefs in God differs from the beliefs of Christianity. The author relates that Jainism is a transtheistic religion; whereas, Christianity is a monotheism religion. The paper underscores that Jains do not believe in a God as a creator but rather in an eternal world ruled by natural laws. The author relates that both Christians and Jains have a strong belief in participating in good behavior in hopes of reaching different forms of liberation.

From the Paper
"In an interview with Deepak Shah, one of the Jain followers, I was able to understand more about the unique ways the Jain practice their religion. Deepak, who tries to visit the temple once a week, shared some of his personal ritual and practices. In the Jain religion, there are prayers that take place every morning. In daily prayers, Deepak does not pray to a particular Tirhankar by name but bows down to the five noble souls. The prayer known as Navakara Mantra is to show their respects to all noble souls known as Arihantas, Siddhas, Acharyas, Upadhyayas and all the Sadhus and Sadhvis."

Tags:meditation, prayer, tirhankars, vegetarianism, enlightenment