Christianity vs. Jainism Essay Example

path (Living 120). Christianity and Jainism differ in their beliefs about perfection.

Christians believe that no one except Christ is perfect. Christians believe that there is no way to reach that perfect state. They believe that as long as there are people, there will always be sin. The only way we can get to God is through repentance of our sins before God. Jains believe that it is possible to reach that perfect state. It is reached through our actions because of karma. Karma is actual matter that we accumulate as we live our lives. This karma can only be cleared away in the human form, which is the highest stage of life. To perfect as soon as possible, Jains will try to not surround themselves with any negative influences.

The three basic principles Jains adopt to avoid the accumulation of Karma is non-violence (ahimsa), non-attachment (aparigraha), and non-absolutism (anekantwad) (Living 124). The second difference is their beliefs in gods. Christianity believes that there is a higher power. There is a Holy Trinity, God the Father, His Son, and The Holy Spirit. Jesus Christ, the Son, was born of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary and sent to us from God for our salvation. In Jainism, there is belief that there are Gods, but it is believed that anybody can become one.

The Jains do not believe in the supernatural immortals (JAINISM). Jainism is a religion of purely human origin. It is propagated by self effort and have been liberated from the bonds of worldly existence, and the cycles of all future life and death (JAINISM). Lastly, are their views on non-violence. While both

believe strongly in non-violence, Jains are a little more extreme in their views. Christians look at non-violence as taking innocent human lives and they have the belief that God provided animals as a source of food. Jains believe that life should not be taken in any form.

The doctrine of ahisma, one of the three principles for self-perfection, relates to every single organism in the world. It even relates to the microorganisms that are in water and in the air that we breathe (McDowell). Jains believe that everything deserves to live. Jains are strict vegetarians and treat everything with great care (Fisher). Jains believe that a living being is injured if you were to kick a rock while you were walking. Jains are particular about the jobs they work in and also the clothing that they wear because they believe these too can injure life (Fisher).

The affects that these beliefs have on the people within the religion varies. When we look at the differences between Christianity and Jainism when we reference perfection, Jains are required through personal sacrifices to achieve that perfection solely on their own, so this puts more responsibility on the individual person. Within the Christian religion, they can never reach that ultimate level of perfection that would put them on the same level as a “god”, so their goal is to try to be like Jesus because they know they will never “be” Jesus.