Comparing and Contrasting Judaism and Jainism

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When comparing and contrasting, you will be extracting the similarities and differences that exist between the two religions (in this case), and critically examining them.

When critically examining Judaism and Jainism, it is important to understand their distinctive characteristics such as their principles of faith (or core principles).

1. Belief in God or gods
Judaism
-The conception of God is strictly monotheistic
-The one God of Israel is the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, who is the guide of the world
-The Jewish belief in God's omnipotence is rooted in the Bible

Resource:
Smith, Mark S. (2002). The Early History of God: Yahweh and the Other Deities in Ancient Israel. Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.; 2nd ed.

Jainism
-believes that the universe and all its substances or entities are eternal
-does believe in God, not as a creator, but as a perfect being
-Every living being has a potential to become God. Hence Jains do not have one God, but Jain Gods are innumerable and their number is continuously increasing as more living beings attain liberation (refer to the core principles)

(Cf. Pravin K. Shah, Jain Study Center of North Carolina)

Resource:
Shah, Pravin K. (2010). Jain Philosophy and Practice - II (Jaina Education Series). JAINA Education Committee.

2. Belief in life after death
Judaism
-Over the centuries a few possible descriptions of the afterlife have been incorporated into Jewish thought. However there is no ...