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| Means of salvation | Reaching Enlightenment or Nirvana, following the Noble Eightfold Path. | Goal is to unshackle the soul from bondages of karma which results in misery due to many rebirths and deaths. Once soul is freed from these bondages, it achieves Nirvana and becomes perfect soul free from all attachments, in an eternal blissful state |
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| Belief of God | The idea of an omniscient, omnipotent, omnipresent creator is rejected by Buddhists. The Buddha himself refuted the theistic argument that the universe was created by a self-conscious, personal God. | Jainism does not believe in a Creator God. |
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| Life after death | Rebirth is one of the central beliefs of Buddhism. We are in an endless cycle of birth, death and re-birth, which can only be broken by attaining nirvana. Attaining nirvana is the only way to escape suffering permanently. | Until liberation is achieved, circle of rebirths and deaths continue due to Karma via incarnations in any life form on earth, as also heavenly and hellish life forms. |
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| Place of worship | Buddhist monasteries, temples, shrines. | Temple |
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| Practices | Meditation, the Eightfold Path; right view, right aspiration, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, right concentration | Five vows of Truth, Non-violence, Non-stealing, Non-attachment, control over desires and senses. Greater emphasis on non-violence and truth. Also follow 3 jewels of Right Perception, Right Knowledge and Right Conduct |
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| Place of origin | Indian subcontinent | India. |
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| Goal of religion | To attain enlightenment and be released from the cycle of rebirth and death, thus attaining Nirvana. | To gain liberation and be released from cycle of rebirths, adopt a path of non-violence towards all living beings. |
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| Founder | The Buddha (born as Prince Siddhartha) | Rishabhdev- 1st Tirthankar in this era, Further revived by Vardhaman Mahavir- 24th and final Tirthankar of this era |
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| Use of statues and pictures | Common. Statues are used as meditation objects, and revered as they reflect the qualities of the Buddha. | Common. |
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| Literal Meaning | Buddhists are those who follow the teachings of the Buddha. | To become a Jina (liberated soul) by following the teachings of 24 Tirthankars (ford-makers/teachers) |
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| Clergy | The Buddhist Sangha, composed of bhikkhus (male monks) and bhikkhunis (female nuns). The sangha is supported by lay Buddhists. | Monks, nuns. |
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| Human Nature | Ignorance, as all sentient beings. In the Buddhist texts, it is seen that when Gautama, after his awakening, was asked whether he was a normal human being, he replied, "No". | Human suffering is due to negative effects of bad karma and excessive attachment to material aspects of world. |
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| View of the Buddha | The highest teacher and the founder of Buddhism, the all-transcending sage. | Buddha is considered as contemporary of Mahavir |
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| Marriage | It is not a religious duty to marry. Monks and nuns do not marry and are celibate. Advice in the Discourses on how to maintain a happy and harmonious marriage. | Marriage is a social convention and not linked to religion. But followers must strictly follow monogamy. Monks, though have renounced material world, hence strictly follow celibacy. |
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| Followers | Buddhists | Jains. |
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| Religion which atheists may still be adherents of | Yes. | Yes. Jains do not believe in the idea of a Creator God. The laws revolve around Karma. Good Karma lead to spiritual elevation and bad Karma and bad deeds to decline. |
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| Original Language(s) | Pali(Theravada tradition) and Sanskrit(Mahayana and Vajrayana tradition) | Ancient texts were written in various languages, predominantly in Magadhi, language prevalent at time of Mahavir and Buddha. |
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| View of other Dharmic religions | Since the word Dharma means doctrine, law, way, teaching, or discipline, other Dharmas are rejected. | Comradeship with other Dharmic religions. |
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| Holy days/Official Holidays | Vesak day in which the birth, the awakening, and the parinirvana of the Buddha is celebrated. | Paryushan festival |
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| Authority of Dalai Lama | Dalai Lamas are tulkus of the Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism. They are cultural figures and are independent of the doctrinal basis of Buddhism. | N/A. |
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| Population | 500-600 million | 50-60 million |
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| Status of women | No distinctions between men and women. Women are equal to men, and men are equal to women in the Sangha. The Buddha gave Men and Women equal rights and a major part in the Sangha. | Women can become nuns. |
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| Symbols | The conch, endless knot, fish, lotus, parasol, vase, dharmachakra (Wheel of Dharma), and victory banner. | Swastika(used it long before it became a symbol for antisemitism). |
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| Concept of Deity | n/a. According to some interpretations, there are beings in heaven realms but they are also bound by "samsara". They may have less suffering but have not yet achieved salvation (nibbana) | Numerous deities known as Tirthenkaras. But Jains do not worship them in literal sense of idol worship to ask favors. Rather, these Tirthankars are venerated as ideal Men and teachers whose teachings should be followed. |
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| Principle | This life is suffering, and the only way to escape from this suffering is to dispel one's cravings and ignorance by realizing the Four Noble Truths and practicing the Eightfold Path. | Respect all living things. Attain liberation by avoiding and shedding of bad karma which is the cause of rebirths and all sufferings. Five vows and three jewels. |
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| Scriptures | Tripitaka - a vast canon composed of 3 sections: the Discourses, the Discipline and the Commentaries, and some early scriptures, such as the Gandhara texts. | Religious scriptures called Agamas. Many other canonical texts. |
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| Time of origin | 2,500 years ago, circa 563 B.C.E. (Before Common Era) | Very ancient. One of the oldest religions as origin of 1st Tirthankar is too ancient and obscure. Mahavir (24th Tirthankar) born in 599 B.C.E. |
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| Can atheists partake in this religion's practices? | Yes. | Yes |
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| Goal of Philosophy | To eliminate mental suffering. | Jainism is a way of life, adhere to teachings of Tirthankars, respect all life forms and end goal is to achieve Nirvana. |
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| Views on Other Religions | Being a practical philosophy, Buddhism is neutral against other religions. | Belief in pluralism and respect other religious view points and try to accomodate them. |
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| Place and Time of origin | The origin of Buddhism points to one man, Siddhartha Gautama, the historical Buddha, who was born in Lumbini (in present-day Nepal). He became enlightened at Bodhgaya, India and delivered his first set of teachings at a deer park in Sarnath, India. | Very ancient, origin obscure dating many millenia |
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