How was the Shramana culture different or same from the Vedic tradition ?

In ancient India, the Shramana movement was a non-Vedic movement that existed before the advent of Vedic Hinduism in its original form. The Shramana tradition gave rise to the ideas of Samsara (the cycle of birth and death) and moksha (enlightenment-liberation from that cycle), along with Jainism, Buddhism, and yoga.

Shramanism was a free-thinking stream that ranged from materialism to spirituality, one of the three aspects of this philosophy, emphasizing thought, hard work and discipline. As Brahmanism, which derived its philosophical origins from Mimamsa, was one of the other two.

The third and most popular strand of Indian philosophical thought is Bhakti or theism, which is founded on the concept of God as it is known in most parts of the world.

Buddha fasting. Before attaining enlightenment, the Buddha practiced extreme penance.

The Shramanas saw the world as full of suffering (dukka). They practiced non-violence and severe penance in Forest. They believed in karma and moksha and considered rebirth undesirable.

The Vedas, on the contrary, believe in the efficacy of rituals and sacrifices as a major part of it, but the Shramana culture has been based on contemplation.

Vedic rituals had privileged the Brahmin and Kshatriya classes but this did not happen in the Shramana culture.

In Vedic culture, improving one’s life by pleasing God by offering Yajna was considered a major part of Karma, whereas in Shramana culture, knowledge and experience were given priority.

That’s why Buddha directly contradicts Vedas and almost Jainism also believed the same.

Beliefs and Concepts of Sramana Philosophy:

Denial of creator and omnipotent Gods
Rejection of the Vedas as revealed texts
Affirmation of Karma and rebirth, Samsara and transmigration of Soul.
Affirmation of the attainment of moksa through Ahimsa, renunciation and austerities
Denial of the efficacy of sacrifices and rituals for purification.
Rejection of the caste system

Jainism and Buddhism are the two main schools philosophies that have continued in India since ancient times.

This article is compiled from authoritative sources like certified books, expert notes etc. Definitely it is useful for civil service exam and other exams.