Answer

Jainism and Buddhism are both ancient Indian spiritual traditions, but they differ in their understanding of the soul, karma, liberation, spiritual practice, and final goal.

The biggest difference is:

• Jainism accepts the eternal soul called jīva.
• Buddhism generally does not accept a permanent eternal soul.

Explanation

Here are the main differences:

• Soul
  In Jainism, every living being has an eternal soul. The soul is pure, conscious, and capable of liberation.
  In Buddhism, the idea of a permanent soul is not accepted in the same way.
• Karma
  In Jainism, karma is understood as subtle matter that attaches to the soul due to passions, violence, attachment, and ignorance.
  In Buddhism, karma mainly means intentional actions that produce results.
• Liberation
  In Jainism, liberation means the soul becomes free from all karma and rises to Siddha-shila, existing forever in perfect knowledge, perception, bliss, and energy.
  In Buddhism, liberation is commonly described as Nirvana, freedom from suffering and the cycle of rebirth.
• Non-violence
  Jainism places the highest and strictest emphasis on Ahimsa — non-violence in thought, speech, and action toward all living beings, even the smallest life forms.
  Buddhism also values compassion and non-harming, but Jain discipline around non-violence is generally more detailed and strict.
• Tirthankars and Buddha
  Jainism follows the teachings of the Tirthankars, especially Bhagwan Mahavir, the 24th Tirthankar of the present time cycle.
  Buddhism follows the teachings of Gautama Buddha.
• Path of practice
  Jainism teaches the path of:
  • Right Faith
  • Right Knowledge
  • Right Conduct
  Buddhism commonly teaches the Noble Eightfold Path.

Spiritual Understanding

Jainism teaches that each soul is responsible for its own liberation. No creator God controls the soul’s destiny. Through self-discipline, non-violence, truth, non-attachment, and purification of karma, the soul can attain moksha.

Buddhism also emphasizes self-effort, discipline, meditation, and freedom from suffering, but its philosophical understanding of the self and liberation is different from Jain Dharma.

Takeaway

Both Jainism and Buddhism teach compassion, self-control, renunciation, and liberation from worldly suffering. But Jainism is distinct because it teaches the eternal soul, karma as bondage to the soul, the supreme importance of Ahimsa, and liberation as the soul’s complete freedom from karmic matter.