Buddhist and Jain religious principles

Principles of Buddhism

The Buddha proposed a religious doctrine that was in harmony with the realities of life. They were principles related to the problems of this world. The basic principles of Buddhism are known as the 'Aryasatya' ( Four Noble Truths). They are as follows.

(1) Life is sad.

(2) Desires are the cause of suffering.

(3) We can eliminate sorrow by subduing desires.

(4) The Eightfold Path should be adopted to eliminate suffering.

Right view, right decision, right speech, right livelihood, right action, right effort, right mindfulness and right meditation are the eightfold path suggested by the Buddha for the cessation of suffering. These were recommended as the path to liberation (nirvana). The eightfold path was a middle path. Because it was a path between severe austerities and excessive pleasures. The Buddha believed in the theory of karma. He suggested that karma determines a person's fate. Therefore, he asked to lead a pure life for the attainment of liberation. Another fundamental principle of Buddhism is non-violence. The Buddha advised not to harm or kill any living being. The Buddha neither accepted nor rejected the concept of God. Like the Jain teachers, the Buddha also prepared a code of conduct for his followers. It prescribes five things: (1) Do not covet the property of others (2) Do not be violent (3) Do not use intoxicants (4) Do not lie (5) Do not commit adultery.

Buddhism was liberal and democratic. It emphasized equality. The admission of women into the Sangha was an effort to implement equality. The Buddha also strongly opposed the varna system, which undermined the concept of equality. Buddhism put forward a philosophy based on moral virtues such as truth, justice, obedience, charity, and kindness.

Jainism principles

The five fundamental principles of Jainism are non-violence, non-sin, non-attachment, truthfulness and celibacy. The first four principles are attributed to Parshvanath and the fifth is attributed to Mahavira is also included. Other important principles of Jainism are as follows.

• Vedic rituals are ineffective.

• God is an illusion. Therefore, there is no benefit in worshipping and performing rituals.

• Karma is the root cause of birth, death, sorrow, and suffering. Nirvana (salvation) is liberation from birth, death, and suffering. To attain salvation, one's actions must be pure.

• Karma can be purified by practicing the 'Tri Ratnas'. The Tri Ratnas are right knowledge, right faith, and right conduct.

• Liberation can also be achieved through asceticism, self-mortification, and death by starvation.