Jainism is closer to Buddhism in some core ethical ideas, but closer to Hinduism in some cultural and historical settings. If we look at philosophy, Jainism is generally more similar to Buddhism than to Hinduism, though it remains clearly distinct from both.

Why Jainism is more similar to Buddhism

• Non-violence (ahimsa) is central in both, though Jainism follows it even more strictly.
• Both reject the idea that ritual alone is enough for liberation.
• Both teach karma, rebirth, and liberation (moksha/nirvana).
• Both arose in the same ancient Indian spiritual environment and challenged many Vedic ritual practices.

Why Jainism is also different from Buddhism

• Jainism accepts the existence of an eternal soul (jiva), while Buddhism does not accept an eternal soul in the same way.
• Jainism teaches that liberation is achieved through purification of the soul by right faith, right knowledge, and right conduct.
• Jain monastic discipline is usually more severe in practice than Buddhist discipline.

Why Jainism has some similarity to Hinduism

• Jainism and Hinduism both share Indian concepts like karma, rebirth, moksha, and asceticism.
• Jain communities have lived alongside Hindu traditions for centuries, so there are many shared cultural forms.
• Some Jain ideas, like devotion and temple worship, may look similar outwardly to Hindu practices.

But Jainism is not the same as Hinduism

• Jainism does not accept a creator god who controls salvation.
• Jain liberation is based on self-effort, not divine grace.
• Jain philosophy is its own independent system.

Final answer

Jainism is philosophically more similar to Buddhism than to Hinduism, especially in its emphasis on non-violence, ascetic discipline, karma, rebirth, and liberation through self-effort. At the same time, it shares some cultural and conceptual background with Hinduism, but it remains a separate and unique dharma.

If you want, I can also give you a simple comparison table of Jainism, Buddhism, and Hinduism.