In what respect did Jainism differ from Buddhism?

In its stress on the doctrine of ahimsa
In denying the authority of the Vedas
In opposing animal sacrifice
In its attitude towards trade

The correct answer is: A. In its stress on the doctrine of ahimsa.

Jainism and Buddhism are both Indian religions that arose around the same time, in the 6th century BCE. They share many similarities, but there are also some important differences between them. One of the most significant differences is their attitude towards violence.

Jainism is a religion that is founded on the principle of ahimsa, or non-violence. This means that Jains believe that it is wrong to harm any living being, including animals. They practice ahimsa in their daily lives by avoiding meat, eggs, and dairy products. They also avoid activities that could harm animals, such as hunting and fishing.

Buddhism, on the other hand, does not have the same emphasis on ahimsa. Buddhists believe that it is important to avoid harming others, but they do not believe that it is necessary to avoid all violence. For example, Buddhists may eat meat, as long as the animal has been killed humanely.

The difference in attitude towards violence is one of the main reasons why Jainism and Buddhism have developed in different ways. Jainism has become a very peaceful religion, with a strong emphasis on non-violence. Buddhism, on the other hand, has become a more diverse religion, with a variety of different schools of thought.

The other options are incorrect because:

  • Option B is incorrect because both Jainism and Buddhism deny the authority of the Vedas. The Vedas are a collection of ancient Hindu texts that are considered to be sacred by Hindus. Jains and Buddhists believe that the Vedas are not authoritative because they were written by humans, not by gods.
  • Option C is incorrect because both Jainism and Buddhism oppose animal sacrifice. Animal sacrifice was a common practice in ancient India, but it was condemned by both Jains and Buddhists.
  • Option D is incorrect because both Jainism and Buddhism have a positive attitude towards trade. Jains and Buddhists believe that trade is a legitimate way to earn a living. However, they also believe that it is important to be honest and fair in business dealings.