Which of the following ideas is NOT a feature shared in common by both early Buddhism and early Jainism?

Introduction / Context:
Buddhism and Jainism emerged in ancient India as part of a broader movement that questioned Vedic ritualism and social hierarchies. Because they share several similarities, exam questions often ask you to identify where they differ. This question focuses on distinguishing the common features of both religions from a key point where their teachings diverge, especially regarding the practice of self-mortification and asceticism.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The traditions being compared are early Buddhism and early Jainism.
• The options include non-violence, indifference to Vedic authority, self-mortification and rejection of rituals.
• We assume the learner knows that both Buddhism and Jainism arose in the same broad region and time, responding to similar social and religious conditions.
• The question asks which idea is NOT common to both, that is, which is a point of difference rather than a shared feature.

Concept / Approach:
Both Buddhism and Jainism strongly criticised the excessive ritualism and caste-bound structure of Vedic religion. They emphasised ethical conduct, non-violence (ahimsa) and personal spiritual effort. Both were indifferent or opposed to the absolute authority of the Vedas and rejected the idea that elaborate sacrifices and rituals alone could lead to liberation. However, when it comes to self-mortification, there is a significant difference: Jainism advocates very rigorous ascetic practices, including severe fasting and physical austerities, whereas the Buddha explicitly rejected extreme self-mortification and taught a Middle Path between indulgence and extreme asceticism. Therefore, the advocacy of extreme self-mortification is not a feature common to both; it is more characteristic of Jainism than of Buddhism.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Identify non-violence (ahimsa) as a central value in both Buddhism and Jainism, although Jainism takes it to an even more stringent level. Step 2: Recognise that both religions rejected the supreme authority of the Vedas, preferring direct experience and ethical conduct over scriptural ritualism. Step 3: Understand that both criticised complex Vedic sacrifices and ritual practices, encouraging simpler forms of worship and meditation instead. Step 4: Examine the idea of extreme self-mortification: Jain monks and nuns often practise very severe austerities, while the Buddha taught that both indulgence and extreme self-torture are harmful. Step 5: Recall that the Buddha's own life story includes a period of extreme asceticism which he later rejected, leading him to formulate the Middle Path. Step 6: Conclude that advocacy of extreme self-mortification is not common to both religions; it is mainly associated with Jainism and explicitly rejected in Buddhism.

Verification / Alternative check:
Standard religious studies and history textbooks highlight the shared features of Buddhism and Jainism: emphasis on ahimsa, rejection of caste dominance, criticism of Vedic sacrifices and limited regard for Vedic authority. At the same time, they note that Jainism upholds very strict ascetic practices, including prolonged fasting and bodily austerities, whereas Buddhism presents the Middle Path, rejecting extremes. This core doctrinal difference is often used in exam questions to distinguish between the two traditions, confirming that self-mortification is not a common feature.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• Emphasis on non-violence (ahimsa): Strongly present in both, though Jainism emphasises it even more rigorously.
• Indifference to the authority of the Vedas: Both religions rejected the Vedas as the ultimate authority for liberation.
• Rejection of elaborate Vedic rituals: Both criticised sacrificial rituals and promoted ethical living and meditation instead.

Common Pitfalls:
Learners sometimes overgeneralise Jain strictness to Buddhism, assuming both endorse the same level of asceticism. Others may not clearly distinguish between rejecting rituals and practising self-mortification. To avoid confusion, remember this key contrast: both Buddhism and Jainism share ahimsa and anti-ritualism, but extreme self-mortification belongs primarily to Jain practice and is rejected in Buddhist teaching as an extreme to be avoided.

Final Answer:
The idea that is NOT common to both Buddhism and Jainism is the advocacy of extreme self-mortification.