Mahavira

lobster

Mahavira was a contemporary and possibly influential on the Buddha. A sky clad Jain.
http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahavira

I keep meaning to visit the Jains, whose teachings on ahimsa are extreme and potentially inspiring. :thumbup: .
http://jaincosmos.blogspot.co.uk/2010/04/12-reflections-in-jainism.html

bookworm

I'm intrigued, this is really cool stuff, thanks lobster.

Dakini

Scholars say the Buddha was influenced by Jainism in some respects. I think studying the basics of Jainism is helpful to understanding Buddhism and its history.

Victorious

There a numerous mentioning of Jain in the suttas.

One of the most notable is the refutation of it. Do not know if it is relevant today or at all.

It would be interesting to see if the Buddha is mentioned in their scripture!!

Refutatation of Jain.
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/mn/mn.101.than.html

And then there are others...
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/kn/ud/ud.6.02.than.html
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/kn/thig/thig.05.09.hekh.html
etc.

EDIT: There must have been a lot of competition between these sects in the early days. Wonder if any scriptures from the other 4 sramana sects survive?

Victorious

@Dakini said:
Scholars say the Buddha was influenced by Jainism in some respects. I think studying the basics of Jainism is helpful to understanding Buddhism and its history.

Good Idea! I have skimmed through early vedic and hindu texts a little bit and actually found the description of the atman very helpful.

Thanks @lobster.

David

Very interesting, thanks.

I wonder if Jainism has a teaching about the middle way and the two truths...

I say that because I noticed while reading the blog that at first it is said all are transient and impermanent except the universe itself which is eternal even as it is in constant change. I can get behind that part but then it goes on to say that each soul is also eternal.

I understand that it's older than Buddhism but to me, it seems almost a stepping stone between Hinduism and Buddhism.

Almost like Sidhartha heard their teachings and said to himself "We're getting warmer... Almost there."

That's purely from reading what @Lobster provided at first glance though and mean no disrespect to any of our Hindu or Jain friends.

Hamsaka

Mahavira and the Buddha may have been contemporaries, and taught their teachings in the same general time and area. Mahavira is thought to have been born around 530 BCE, so it makes you wonder. Even if the Buddha and Mahavira never crossed paths, their followers MUST have.