Gautam Buddha:
- The founder of Buddhism was born in 563 BC at Lumbini in Kapilvastu in the Sakya Kshatriya clan. Father Suddodhana was the king of Kapilvastu
- Mother Mahamaya was a princess of the Kosala dynasty Mahaprajapati Gautami was the stepmother of Gautama He was married to Yasodhara (a Princess of the Kolli dynasty) from whom he had a son Rahul
- At the age of 29, he renounced home, this was his Mahabhinishkramana (great going forth), and became a wandering ascetic.
- His first teacher was Alara Kalama. Another teacher was Udraka Ramputra. At the age of 35 under a peepal tree at Uruvella (Bodh Gaya) on the bank of river Niranjana (modern name Falgu) attained Nirvana (enlightenment) after 49 days of continuous meditation
- Buddha delivered his first sermon at Sarnath (Deer park) to his five disciples, this is known as Dharmachakra Pravartana (Turning of the wheel of law)
- Ananda and Upali were his famous disciples
- Sujata was the farmer’s daughter who gave him rice milk at Bodha Gaya
- He died at the age of 80 in 483 BC at Kushinagar. This is known as Mahaparinirvana
- Eight great places associated with Buddhism are Lumbini, Sarnath, Sravasti, Rajgriha,
- Bodh Gaya, Kushinagar, Sankisa, and Vaishali. Patliputra is not associated with Buddha
- Ashoka, the greatest patron of Buddhism, he called the 3rd Buddhist council & sent a mission comprising his son Mahendra & his daughter Sanghamitra to Sri Lanka.
- Palas of Bengal & Bihar were the last great patrons of Buddhism
Events associated with Buddha’s life
Great Events of Buddha’s Life Symbols
Janma (Birth) Lotus
Mahabhnishkramana (Renunciation) Horse
Nirvana (Enlightenment) Bodhi tree
Drarmachakra pravartana (First Sermon) Wheel
Mahaparinirvana (Death) Stupa
Buddhist Architecture
(i) Stupa – Relics of the Buddha or some prominent Buddhist monks are preserved.
(ii) Chaitya – Prayer hall
(iii) Vihara – Residence of monks and ascetics
Doctrine of Buddhism
Four Noble Truths
1. This world is full of suffering
2. Desire is the root cause of suffering
3. The cessation of suffering is attainable
4. The cessation of suffering can be attained by following the “Eight Fold Path”
Eight-Fold Path:
1. Right faith
2. Right resolve
3. Right Speech
4. Right action
5. Right living
6. Right effort
7. Right thought
8. Right concentration
The ultimate aim of life is to attain nirvana, the eternal state of peace and bliss, which means liberation from the cycle of birth and death.
The world is momentary The interesting fact about Buddhist philosophy is that while it believes in the cycle of birth and death it does not believe in the concept of the soul. “The Middle Path” of Buddhism states that man should avoid both extremes
Triratna i.e. Three Jewels of Buddhism are
i. Buddha
ii. Dharma
iii. Sangha
Buddhist literature:
Milindapanho (i.e. Questions of Milinda): A dialogue between Milinda (identical to Indo-Greek ruler Menander) and Buddhist saint Nagasena is the only text in Sanskrit. Pali Texts
1. Tripitaka: Pitaka literally means ‘basket’ and it was called so because the original texts were written on palm leaves and kept in baskets. Tripitaka refers to three commentaries, these are as:
Sutta Pitaka – It contains the sayings of Buddha.
Vinay Pitaka – It contains the monastic code, the most important is Patimoksha
Abhidhamma Pitaka – It consists of the religious and metaphysical discourses of Buddha
2. Dipavamsha & Mahavamsha – The great chronicles of Sri Lanka.
3. Visshudhimagga by Buddhagosha
Buddhist councils
First Council
The first Buddhist council was held at Rajgriha in 483 B.C. under the patronage of Ajatshatru. It took place just after the death of Lord Buddha. The compilation of Sutta Pitak and Vinay Pitak took place during this council.
Second Council
It took place after 100 years of the death of Lord Buddha i.e. 383 in B.C. It took place in Vaishali under the patronage of king Kalashoka, it was presided over by Sabakami. The schism took place in this council on the issue of rules and discipline. As a result, two groups, Mahasanghika and Therivadi (Sthavirvadin) were formed.
Third Council
It took place in Patliputra under the patronage of Ashoka. It was presided by Mogliputta Tisa. It is also known as the council of Therivadins. “Katthavattu” was added to the Abhidhamma Patika during this council. However, none of the Ashokan inscriptions gives us information about the council.
Fourth Council
It was held in Kundalgrama in Kashmir. The president of the council was Vasumitra and the vice president was Ashvagosha. Mahavibhasha, the doctrine of Sravastivadin was written in Sanskrit on a copper plate and enclosed in stone boxes. During this council, the two sects of Buddhism i.e. Hinayana and Mahayana were formed officially
Sects of Buddhism
The three sects of Buddhism are Hinayana, Mahayana, and Vajrayana
Hinayana:
- Its followers believed in the original teaching of Buddha.
- They sought individual salvation through self-discipline and meditation.
- Followers of this do not believe in idol worship and the historicity of Buddha.
- This sect treats Lord Buddha as a teacher and not as God.
- The literature of this sect is mainly in Pali.
- It is known as the ‘Southern Buddhist Religion’ because it prevailed in the South of India, e.g. Sri Lanka, Burma (Myanmar), Syam (Thailand), Java, etc.
There were two sub-sects of Hinayana i.e. Vaibhasika and Sautantrika.
Mahayana:
- Its followers believed in the historicity of Buddha.
- They sought the salvation of all through the grace and help of Buddha & Bodhisattva
- This sect believes in idol worship.
- This sect treated Buddha as God
- The literature of this sect is compiled in the Sanskrit language.
- It is known as the ‘Northern Buddhist Religion’, because it prevailed in the North of India, e.g. China, Korea, Japan, etc.
There were two sub-sects of Mahayana
1. Madhyamika or Shunyavada: Founded by Nagarjuna
2. Yogachar or Vijananavada: Founded by Maitreyanath and his disciple Asanga.
Vajrayana:
- Its followers believed that salvation could be best attained by acquiring the magical power i.e. Vajra.
- The sect developed in Tibet
- The sect believes in the worship of female deities
- The chief divinities of this new sect were the Taras.
- It became popular in Eastern India, particularly Bengal and Bihar.
