Eastern Philosophy : The Ethics of Jainism

Abstract

This article aims to explore the ethical doctrines of Jainism in comparison with early Buddhism. Both religious traditions emerged during a similar historical period, with some sources suggesting that Jainism predates Buddhism by approximately thirty years. The Jain spiritual leader, Mahavira (also known as Nigantha Nataputta), preached his teachings contemporaneously with the Buddha. Notably, certain Jain doctrines are mentioned within the Therav?da Buddhist scriptures, reflecting both philosophical parallels and historical intersections.

The study employs textual analysis of Therav?da canonical texts, historical records, and scholarly literature concerning Jain teachings. It finds that many references to Jainism in Buddhist scriptures are likely later interpolations by Buddhist compilers, since written documentation was limited during the early period and oral transmission was the norm. Nevertheless, these references provide meaningful insight into Jain ethical perspectives, especially regarding moral conduct and the pursuit of liberation (nibb?na), as interpreted within Jain belief systems. This study contributes to the comparative study of religious ethics, highlighting shared cultural and philosophical contexts between Jainism and Buddhism in ancient India. It also underscores the value of intertextual references in reconstructing doctrinal exchanges and interactions across traditions.