Buddha is not Mahavira

Learning outcome

You can keep Gautama Buddha and Mahavira apart.

Concepts and why

The teaching of Buddhism in this lesson is the teaching linked with Gautama Buddha. In the Jain tradition, Mahavira is counted as the 24th Tirthankara. They are two people and two traditions. The prelims syllabus also names the Ajivikas beside these two. This lesson does not describe the Ajivikas.

Worked examples

A question asks who the 24th Tirthankara is in the Jain tradition. The answer is Mahavira, not Gautama Buddha. A question asks whose teaching Buddhism follows in this lesson. The answer is Gautama Buddha, not Mahavira.

Common mistakes

Writing Mahavira as the teacher of Buddhism. Writing Gautama Buddha as the 24th Tirthankara. Treating the two names as one person.

Practice questions

1. Whose teaching is Buddhism linked with in this lesson?
2. Who is counted as the 24th Tirthankara in the Jain tradition?
3. Are Buddha and Mahavira the same person?

Answers and explanations

1. Gautama Buddha.
2. Mahavira.
3. No. They belong to two traditions.

Analogy

Two teachers can sit in neighbouring rooms of the same old school. One room is Buddhism, and the teacher named for that room here is Gautama Buddha. The other room is the Jain tradition, and the 24th Tirthankara named there is Mahavira. Walking into the wrong room is the mistake.

Quick reference

Buddhism, in this lesson: Gautama Buddha. Jain tradition: Mahavira, the 24th Tirthankara. Not the same person.