Answer: Option C
Jainism and Buddhism are two ancient Indian religions that have many similarities, including their origin, beliefs, and practices. However, there are some significant differences between the two religions, one of which is the concept of the soul.
Jainism is a religion that originated in ancient India, and its main tenets are based on the teachings of the twenty-four Tirthankaras (spiritual teachers) who are believed to have attained spiritual enlightenment. Jainism places great emphasis on the concept of "ahimsa," or non-violence, towards all living beings, which is the reason why Jains are strict vegetarians.
The principle that distinguishes Jainism from Buddhism is the attribution of a soul to all beings and things. According to Jainism, all living beings, including animals, plants, and humans, have a soul or "jiva," which is immortal, infinite, and eternal. The soul is believed to be pure, perfect, and free from all material impurities and limitations.
On the other hand, Buddhism does not recognize the existence of a soul or a self that is separate from the body. Buddhists believe in the concept of "anatman" or "no-self," which means that there is no permanent, unchanging entity that can be called the self or the soul. Instead, they believe in the concept of "dependent origination," which means that all things arise in dependence upon other things.
To summarize, the main difference between Jainism and Buddhism is the concept of the soul. Jainism believes that all living beings have a soul or jiva, while Buddhism does not recognize the existence of a permanent, unchanging entity that can be called the self or the soul. Therefore, option C, i.e., attribution of a soul to all beings and things, is the correct answer to the question.