Brahmacarya: A Comparative Study on the Similarities and Dissimilarities between Jainism and Buddhism

Abstract

The study of the literature of Brahmins reveals that the concept of Brahmacharya (Celibate Life) leads up to the pre-Buddhist period. Certain teachings unveil that Brahmacarya reveals an idea of superiority. Jain philosophy and Buddhist philosophy occupy a prominent place among different views that prevailed by the 6th century BC. Nigaṇṭanātaputta alias the Mahāvīra, the twenty-fourth Tīrthaṅkara of Jainism, has used Ardhamāgadhī Prakrit as his medium of teaching, whereas the Buddha has used Māgadhī Prakrit as his medium of preaching. The characters and the ethical teachings of the Buddha and the Mahāvīra have been revealed similarly in the sources. The dharma preached by the Jain Mahāvīra consists of fortyfive scriptures called Gaṇīpiḍaga. The concept of Brahmacharya has occupied a prominent place among the Jain teachings. The said teachings have extensively explained what Brahmacarya is, to be followed by a Jain monk. A concept that is different in every manner can be seen in the Buddha’s teachings on the Brahmacarya from that of the Brahmins. The teachings of the Buddha on Brahmacarya can be found in a large number of discourses of the Tripitaka. Is the Brahmacarya mentioned in the teachings of the Jain and Buddhist sources similar or dissimilar? If so, whether the said similarities happened upon the mutual impact of the said traditions, is combatively studied here. This research is expected to be conducted under the qualitative research methodology using primary and secondary sources.