Buddhism

Buddhism originated as an alternative tradition to the excessive importance given to rituals and sacrifices in Vedic tradition. It was also a reaction to the gross neglect of the social problems of the time, as well as a revolt against the hegemony of the Brahmins in the society.

• In the year 563 BC, a noble prince destined to be the greatest religious teacher of the world and the founder of Buddhism was born in the Lumbini Park at Kapilavasthu, on the Indian borders of present Nepal.
• NAME- SIDDHARTHA (real name) , GAUTAM, BUDDHA (enlightened), TATHAGAT( attains the truth), ARHATA( who has attained the NIRVANA), SAKYA MUNI.
• His original name was Siddarth (meaning one who has accomplished).
• In his childhood he was taken care by Gautami (stepmother of Buddha), hence he also called as Gautama. After his enlightenment, he was called as Buddha, Tathagat, Arhata, Sakya Muni.
• He was born into the Shakya clan, a royal family in the region. His father was King Suddhodana. King Suddhodana was the head of the small republic of Kapilavastu.
• MOTHER- MAYA. SHE WAS FROM KOLIYA REPUBLIC OF RAMGRAMA. On the seventh day of Buddha’s birth his mother died, and his father later married his mother’s sister, named Mahaprajapati Gautami.
• At the age of 16, he married Princess Yasodhara, and they had a son named Rahula.
• YASODHARA – IN BUDDHIST TEXT SHE WAS ALSO KNOWN AS BIMBA OR BHADDAKACHNA
• COUSIN BROTHER OF BUDDHA – DEVDATTA
• FAVOURITE HORSE OF BUDDHA – KANTHAK
• CHANNA WAS THE CHARIOTEER OF BUDDHA.
• FOUR INCIDENT: – When he was 29 years old, legend dictates, he was jolted out of his idleness by the “Four Signs”: he saw in succession an old man, a sick person, a corpse being carried to cremation, and a monk in meditation beneath a tree.
• He was deeply dismayed to see humans suffering from decay, illness and health and wanted to investigate the origin of “Dukh” (pain and unhappiness).  Hence, at 29, he left his wife Yashodhara and son Rahul and, moved to forests to know the real meaning of truth and reason of sorrow. His departure from material pleasure for the welfare of humanity engraved in history as maha-bhi-ni-shkramana or Great renunciation.
• He spent his six years on experimenting in various methods of penance supervised under various scholars. However, he felt such methods as fruitless hence left them. At the end, on the banks of Uruvela, at Gaya, he received enlightenment under the pipal (bodhi)- tree. He became the Buddha-the enlightened one and Tathagath-who knew the truth.

 

•  TEACHER OF BUDDHA- ALAR KALAM, RUDRAKA RAMPUTRA •  ACCEPTED SWEET RICE FROM SUJATA, LEFT SEVERE PENANCE & THEN SAT ON MEDITATION. •  KNOWLEDGE- ATTAINED AT THE AGE OF 35 AT BODHGAYA(URUVELA), NEAR NIRANJANA RIVER, UNDER PIPAL TREE.

 

• The Buddha delivered his first sermon in the Deer Park at Sarnath, near Varanasi in present-day Uttar Pradesh
• The first sermon of the Buddha, known as the Dhammacakkappavattana (Pali) or Dharmachakra Pravartana (Sanskrit), marks the beginning of the Buddha’s teaching career and the formal establishment of Buddhism. This sermon is also referred to as “Setting the Wheel of Dhamma in Motion.”
• Sarnath at that time was known as Rishi-Patan.
• This sermon refuted the earlier versions of truth and introduced a new beginning in the philosophical history of Indian culture; and hence, memorized as dhamma-chakra-parivartana.
• AT SARNATH HE FOUNDED BUDDHIST SANGHA- EARLY MEMBERS OF SANGHA WERE- 5 BRAHMINS ,YASH (A TRADER) & HIS 54 FRIENDS.
• Initial five disciples-Ashvajit, Upali, Mogalalana, Shreyaputra and Anand.
• AFTER ATTAINING NIRVANA HE SPENT MOST OF HIS LIFE AT SRAVASTI CAPITAL OF KOSALA MAHAJANPADA.
• LAST RESIDE- VAISHALI (At the house of CHUNDA a blacksmith)
• According to Buddhist tradition, Buddha died after consuming a meal (given by Chunda) that might have been tainted or simply unsuitable for his aging body. The exact nature of the meal is debated, with some sources suggesting it was pork, while others suggest it was a type of mushroom or rice. The account is primarily found in the Mahaparinibbana Sutta, a Pali text that describes the last days of the Buddha.
• Many believed that Buddha died because of food poisoning.
• After eating the meal, Buddha became seriously ill but remained calm and continued to teach his followers until his final moments.
• After painstaking propagation and travels through distant lands, in the age of 80, Buddha rested at Kusinagar (Kasaya, dist. Devriya, present Uttar Pradesh) in peace. His departure commemorated as maha-pari-nirvana.

•  DEATH OF BUDDHA AT KUSINARA (MALLA REPUBLIC) IN THE YEAR 483 B.C.E •  DEATH OF BUDDHA IS KNOWN AS MAHAPARINIRVANA •  LAST STATEMENT OF BUDDHA- IMPERMANENCE IS INHERENT IN ALL THINGS. WORK OUT YOUR OWN FOR SALVATION •  DURING THE TIME OF HIS DEATH ANANDA (FAVOURITE DISCIPLE) & SUBHADDHA ( A TRADER) WERE PRESENT.

 

 

IMPORTANT EVENTS	SYMBOLS
CONCEPTION	WHITE  ELEPHANT
JANMA (BIRTH)	LOTUS/BULL
MAHABHINISHKRAMANA (RENUNCIATION)	HORSE
NIRVANA (ENLIGHTENMENT)	BODHI TREE
DHARMA CHAKRA PRAVARTANA (FIRST SERMON)	WHEEL
MAHAPARINIRVANA (DEATH)	STUPA

 

TEACHINGS

The Buddhist philosophy comprises of four arya-satya, ashtang-marga, panchashila and classical concepts like pratityasamutpada, anityavada, anatmavada.

• THE FOUR GREAT OR NOBLE TRUTHS (ARYA SATYA):

1. Life is Full of Suffering (Dukkha):- All known and unknown facts and forms of life are associated with suffering. Birth, sickness, old age, death, anxiety, desire, and despair, all such happenings and feelings are based on suffering.
2. Suffering has a Cause (Dukkha samudaya) – Everything in this cosmos has a cause, and nothing exists and happens without a cause. If this is the case, suffering should also have a cause. Buddhism explains suffering through a chain of twelve causes and effects, commonly known as the Doctrine of Dependent Origination (pratityasamutpada). In the final analysis, the root of all miseries is desire (Tanha). Desire is all pervasive. Desire for possession, enjoyment, and a separate individual existence are some of the virulent forms of desire. (THE CAUSE OF ALL PAIN AND MISERY IS DESIRE).
3. Cessation of Suffering (Dukkha nirodha): If suffering has a cause, the seeker has to destroy this cause to stop suffering. So desire has to be extinguished to stop suffering.
4. Ways to Destroy Suffering (Dukkha-nirodha-marga): The ways to destroy suffering consists of the practice of the eightfold virtue ,such as, Right View, Right Aspiration, Right Speech, Right Conduct, Right Livelihood, Right Effort, Right Awareness, and Right Concentration. In the practice of all these virtues one has to avoid extremes and follow the middle path.

• For putting an end to the desire and in turn removing sorrow from human life, Buddha suggested ashtanga-marga or eight ways. He called them samyaka i.e. right or middle (not extreme)
• Pancha-shila The Buddhist monks expected to follow certain moral values, like, Ahimsa not to trouble any living being by violence. Satya leaving of false speech and thoughts. Asteya not to wish which is not belong to us or given to us. Brhamacharya to remain abstain from sexual relationships. Aparigraha not to possess which is not needed.

Brahma-vihara

• For cleansing our soul, Buddha suggested following methods, like,
• Maitri sustaining kindness towards all leaving beings and leaving of anger, jealousy and breach of trust Karuna to be sensitive towards the sorrow of others
• Mudita to be glad towards the happiness or progress of others
• Upeksha awareness of the bounded life of human being with his actions, which create happiness and misery.
• NIRVANA –
  • MEANING OF THE WORD NIRVANA  – BLOWING OFF THE CANDLE.
  • In Buddhism, nirvana is the highest state a person can attain, and is considered the ultimate religious goal. It is a state of total liberation and freedom from the cycle of rebirth and death.
  • Nirvanais believed to be attainable only with the elimination of all greed, hatred, and ignorance within a person.
  • Nirvana is often described as a place of happiness and peace, similar to heaven. Some Buddhists believe that nirvana is a type of heaven where there is no suffering, while others view it as a state of mind free from suffering. a
  • By following Eight Fold Path a person can attain Nirvana
  • Eight Fold Path is middle path- neither severe penance nor self indulgence
• PANCHA SKANDHA- PART OF FIRST NOBLE TRUTH. PANCHA SKANDHA CONSIST – BODY, FEELING,PERCEPTION, WILL & CONSCIOUSNESS. The Buddha taught that the these skandhas were dukkha. 
• Pratityasamutpada or the doctrine of dependent origination is central to Buddhist philosophy and is connected to the second noble truth – suffering has a cause (Dukkha Samudaya). According to Buddhism everything in this world has a cause. There is a cycle of twelve such causes and corresponding effects which governs the entire life of human beings.

Pratityasamutpada  OR DEPENDENT ORIGINATION – IT DESCRIBES THE CHAIN OF CAUSES WHICH RESULT IN REBIRTH AND DUKKHA (SUFFERING). BY BREAKING THE CHAIN, LIBERATION FROM SUFFERING CAN BE ATTAINED.

 

• DOCTRINE OF MOMENTARINESS( kshanvangavada)/ANITYAVADA – According to Buddhists, everything/being/action/quality is mortal and existed only for time being. Besides, nothing is stable and always succumbs to changes. Thus, it refutes the concept of Vedic culture of stability of soul, which is caused by some immortal principle.
• AGNOSTIC- Buddha neither accepted nor rejected the existence of god.
• NO SOUL(anatmavada) – Anatmavada questions the existence of soul. According to Vedic everything/being has soul, which is stable and everlasting. Buddhist refutes this concept. They state that ‘this so called soul’ cannot be experienced, hence, we must agree to such principles, which can be experienced.
• BELIEVED IN:-
  • AHIMSA
  • LAW OF KARMA
  • REBIRTH
• Criticized varna system, untouchability, rituals
• Rejected the superiority of vedas

 

SANGHA

• THE SANGHA IS MOST COMMONLY REFERRED TO THE MONASTIC COMMUNITY OF BHIKKHUS (MONKS) AND BHIKKHUNIS (NUNS).
• The Sangha refers to the community of monks, nuns, and, in a broader sense, lay followers who practice Buddhism and uphold the teachings of the Buddha.
• doors of sangha were open to all irrespective of caste, creed, and sex. However, slaves, soldiers, and debtors could not be admitted.
• Any person (male or female) who is above 18 and left his possessions could become member of Sangha based on equality. Initially women were not permitted in Sangha, but thanks to persistent efforts and convincing by Ananda (disciple) and Gautami (foster mother); the doors were opened for women. Besides, after the permission of owner, slaves, soldiers and debtors could also become member of Sangha. However, criminals, lepers and contagious patients not permitted into Sangha.
• The general hesitation in admitting women as nuns came from the notion that this would weaken marriage and family.
• The monks were required to observe the rules and regulations of the sangha faithfully. Once they were enrolled as members of the Buddhist church, they had to take the vow of continence, poverty, and faith.

 

• Pravrajya is often the first stage of ordination in the Buddhist monastic tradition. It is sometimes referred to as the “novice ordination” (Pabbajjā in Pali), where the individual becomes a novice monk (śrāmaṇera) or nun (śrāmaṇerikā).
• At the outset, one has to take oath (loyalty towards Buddha-DhammaSangha), then shave his head (mundana) and wear yellow dress. Then, after one month, he could take a diksha called as upasampada. In addition, after upasampada he is taken as a member of Sangha. However, the member is expected to follow the codes of conduct (dasha-shila), comprised of, abstaining from: consuming alcohol, taking untimely food, dance-songs, using perfumes, using mattress for sleep, wearing gold & silver ornaments, indulging in adultery etc.

 

BUDDHIST COUNCIL

 

• THERE FIRST BUDDHIST COUNCIL WAS HELD AT SATTAPANNI CAVES RAJGRIHA- 483 B.C.E
• This council was held under the patronage of the king Ajatashatru with the monk Mahakasyapa, an outstanding student of the Buddha who became leader of the sangha after the Buddha’s death.
• The first Buddhist Council’s main objective was to preserve the Buddha’s sayings (suttas) and the monastic discipline or rules (Vinaya). Compilations were made for the Buddha’s rules of vinaya (monastic discipline), under the direction of the elder Upali, and of the sutras (instructive aphorisms), under the direction of the disciple Ananda. The Suttas were recited by Ananda, and the Vinaya was recited by Upali. The entire assembly of 500 monks then recited the approved texts, this council went on for nine months.

Second Buddhist council – 383 BC

• Then during the reign of Kalashoka of Shishunaga dynasty, in 383 BC, second grand assembly organized at Vaishali.
• 2ND BUDDHIST COUNCIL WAS PRESIDED BY SABAKAMI
• In this, monks of Pataliputra and Vaishali introduced some rules, however, debated by monks of Avanti and Kaushambi. The debate not reached to any conclusion; hence, Buddhism witnessed its first major division under the names of Mahasanghika and Sthavirvadis. The Mahasanghik supported new rules whereas the Sthavirvadi decided to stick to the rules, compiled under Vinaya pitaka.
• THIRD BUDDHIST COUNCIL–250 BC
• During the reign of Ashoka of Maurya dynasty, in 251 or 250 BC, third grand assembly organized at Pataliputra, presided by Moggaliputta Tisya. The assembly came up with the collection of Buddha’s philosophy under the volume called as Abhidhammapitaka. The assembly also drove away 60000 monks who were not following Buddha’s rules.
• THE AGENDA OF THIRD BUDDHIST COUNCIL WAS TO ANALYZE THE DIFFERENT SCHOOLS OF BUDDHISM AND TO PURIFY THEM & TO SORT OUT THE DIFFERENCES IN SANGHA.
• ASHOKA SENT SEVERAL GROUPS TO DIFFERENT PARTS OF INDIA TO SPREAD BUDDHISM.
• FOURTH BUDDHIST COUNCIL-78 AD
• In the background of waves of new thinking, Kanishka of Kushana dynasty called the fourth grand assembly at Kundalvana (Kashmir).
• 4TH BUDDHIST COUNCIL WAS PRESIDED BY VASUMITRA AND ASVAGHOSHA (VICE-CHAIRMAN)
• The assembly came up with the collection of treaties on three pitakas. However, due to the debates between new thinking and traditional scholars, the earlier division was dissolved and united under the name of Hinayana, whereas the new thinkers known as Mahayana.
• WRITING OF MAHA-VIBHASA-SASTRA IN SANSKRIT. IT IS A COMMENTARY ON TRI PITAKA
• PARSVA ADVISED KANISHKA FOR THIS MEETING

BUDDHIST CANONICAL TEXT

There are Pali, Chinese, and Tibetan versions of the Tipitaka. Pali was a literary language which developed out of a mixture of dialects, particularly those spoken in the Magadha area of eastern India.

• Tripitaka: Pitaka literally means ‘basket’ and it was called so, because the original texts were written on palm-leaves and kept in baskets. Tripatika refers to three commentaries, these are as: SUTTA PITAKA, VINAY PITAKA & ABHIDHAMMA PITAKA
• Sutta Pitaka –Author- Anand. It contain the sermons & teaching of Buddha. It contains the five groups

1. Dighgha Nikaya – deals about nature of souls, karma, miracles, caste system etc.
2.  Majhim Nikaya- Dialouge between king avantiputta &     kachchana on varna system

iii.       Samyukta Nikaya

1. Anguttar Nikaya- The Anguttara Nikaya includes many straightforward examples and inspiring words from the Buddha to his disciples. It also contains the list of 16 mahajanpadas.
2.  Kshudraka/khuddaka Nikaya

 

Khuddaka nikaya(PART OF SUTTA PITAKA):-

1.Dhamma pada- sermons of buddha

2.Theri gatha- poems written by buddhist nuns

3.Jataka tales- story related to previous birth of buddha are one of the 15 books of the Khuddaka Nikaya.

4.Sut-nipat- cow is called annada, sukhda & varda

 

Vinay Pitaka – Author-upali. It contain the monastic code. Books under Vinay Pitaka are – Suttavibhanga, khandak & parivara

Suttavibhanga

The basic code of Monastic discipline is known as Patimokkha. It contains rules for fully ordained Monks called bikkhus (Maha vibhanga) and for fully ordained nuns called Bikkhunis (Bikkhuni Vibhanga). They are contained in Suttavibhanga, one of the parts of Vinay Pitaka.

 

Khandhaka

Khandhaka is the second book of Vinay Pitaka. It has two volumes viz. Mahavagga and Cullavagga. Mahavagga deals with the awakening of Buddha and his  great disciples. Cullavagga deals with the first and second Buddhist councils and establishments of community of Buddhist nuns and rules for Buddhist

 

Parivara

Parivara is the last book of Vinaya Pitaka. It covers the summary of analysis of rules mentioned in first two books of Vinay Pitaka. It also contains questions and answers.

 

Abhidhamma Pitaka (third pitaka)- It is a collection of Buddha’s philosophical thought in the form of question & answers. It mainly meant for scholars of Buddhism.

• Abhidhamma Pitaka – It consists of the religious doctrine and metaphysical discourses of Buddha. Katha vathu is its concluding part written by MOG-GALI-PUTTA-TISSA.
• It is divided into seven books namely Dhammasangani, Dhatukatha, Kathavatthu, Patthana, Puggalapannatui, Vibhanga and Yamaka.
• Abhidhamma Pitaka is a later work, and contains a thorough study and systemization of the teachings of the Sutta Pitaka through lists, summaries, and questions and answers.

 

OTHER BOOKS

• Dipavamsha & Mahavamsha – The great chronicles of Sri Lanka.
• Vishudhimagga by Buddha Ghosha
• Nidan katha – Biography of buddha in Pali
• Milindapanho (i.e. Questions of Milinda): A dialogue between Milinda (identical with Indo-Greek ruler Menander) and Buddhist monk Nagasena .
• The Nettigandha or Nettipakarana (The Book of Guidance) belongs to the same period(1^st century BCE to 1^st century CE) and gives a connected account of the teaching of the Buddha.
• The first connected life story of the Buddha occurs in the Nidanakatha. Nidanakatha narrates the Buddha’s biography in three sections, covering his previous lives, his birth as Siddhartha, and his life as the Buddha. 

 

Mahayana literature( also known as vaipulya sutra)- written in Sanskrit language.

• Abhidhamma kosha- Vasu Bandhu
• Sad Dharma Pundarik- also called bible of half Asia- WRITER IS UNKNOWN
• BUDDHA CHARITA- ASVA GHOSA
• Pragya Parmita- Nagarjuna( important Mahayana book)
• Lalit-vistar- Vasu Mitra
• Vaipulyasutras contain in nine divisions. Lalitvistar deals with the life of Buddha. Saddhamapundarik contains all the important principles of Mahayana Sect. Prajnaparamita which tells about the various virtues required for the attainment of Buddhahood. Mahavastu deals in details with the legends about Buddha and bodhisattvas.
• Vajrasuchi , Mahayana Sraddhotpada- treatise on Mahayana philosophy.
• The Lalitavistara (1st–2nd centuries), a hagiography of the Buddha associated with the Sarvastivada school but strongly tinged with Mahayana elements, is in Sanskrit and mixed Prakrit-Sanskrit.
• Avadana – Avadana is a class of legendary stories in Buddhism that focus on the Buddha’s explanations of events based on a person’s deeds in a previous life. Example of avadana literature is Divyavadana & Avdansataka.

Sects of Buddhism

The three sects of Buddhism are Hinayana, Mahayana and Vajrayan

Hinayana

(i)          Its followers believed in the original teaching of Buddha.

(ii)        They sought individual salvation through self-discipline and meditation.

(iii)      Followers of this do not believe in idol-worship of Buddha.

(iv)      This sect treat Lord Buddha as a teacher and not as God

(v)        The literature of this sect is mainly in Pali.

(vi)      It is known as ‘Southern Buddhist Religion’, because it prevailed in the South of India, e.g. Sri Lanka, Burma                     (Myanmar), Syam (Thailand), Java etc.

(vii)    There were two sub sects of Hinayana i.e. Vaibhasika and Sautantrika.

Viabhasika- by vasu mitra, buddha deva

Sautantrika- by kumar lata

Vaibhasika and Sautantrika- Combinedly known as sarva astitva vadi

both accepts the existence of consciousness & material world.

But Vaibhasika accepts that knowledge can be attained through perception only

While Sautantrika believes that knowledge can be attained through perception & inference

Mahayana

They sought the salvation of all through the grace and help of Buddha & Bodhisatva

In Buddhism, a bodhisattva is an enlightened being (Bodhi).

Bodhisatva assist other in attaining nirvana. A bodhisattva is bound to enlightment and refers to all who are destined to become Buddhas in this life or another life

This sect believes in idol-worship.

This sect treat Buddha as God (but not as the creator of the universe)

The literature of this sect is compiled in Sanskrit language.

It is known as ‘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.

 

• Sunyavada- theory of relativity or conditional existence. Sunyavada is a Mahayana Buddhist doctrine (vada) of negation, which holds that the universe, reality, is empty, void (sunya), or unreal. It is a branch of Mahayana Buddhism. Sunyavada is sometimes referred to as Madhyamika (″The Middle Way″ School of Thought) in some circles.
• Vijnanvada- no existence of material world only consciousness has.

 

Vajrayana

(i)          Its followers believed that salvation could be best attained by acquiring the magical power i.e. Vajra.

(ii)        charms & spell

(iii)      The sect believe in worship of female deities

(iv)      The chief divinity of this new sect is  Tara.

(v)          It became popular in Eastern India, particularly Bengal and Bihar.

• SAHAJYANA & KAL CHAKRAYANA ARE TWO SUB-SECT OF THIS SECT.
• PALA RULERS FOLLOWED SAHAJYANA

OTHER SECTS

• BHADRA YANI- NASHIK
• DHAMMOTARI- SOPARA
• CHETKIYA- AMRAVATI
• SAM-MITYA- SINDH

DECLINE

• CORRUPTION IN  SANGHA
• BUDDHIST SCHOLAR IGNORED PALI & WROTE IN SANSKRIT
• INCREASING RITUALS
• DIVISION IN BUDDHISM
• REFORM IN HINDUISM
• LOSE OF ROYAL PATRONAGE
• ANTI BUDDHIST RULERS- PUSYA MITRA SHUNGA, SASANKA( RULER OF GAUDA OR BENGAL- CUT BODHI TREE), MIHIRKULA- HUNA RULER
• ATTACK ON MONASTRIES- LIKE BY BAKHTIYAR KHILJI DEMOLISHED NALANDA UNIVERSITY

CONTRIBUTION

• GROWTH OF LANGUAGES- PALI THEN SANSKRIT
• GROWTH OF ARCHITECTURE- STUPA, CHAITYA & VIHARA
• SCULPTURE- GANDHARA, MATHURA, AMRAVATI, GUPTA SCHOOL OF SCULPTURE
• PAINTING- AJANTA, BAGH PAINTING
• SOCIETY- CRITICISED VARNA , UNTOUCHABILITY ETC.
• ECONOMIC- PREACHED NON VIOLENCE, SUPPORTED USUARY SYSTEM
• RELIGION- CRITICISED RITUALS
• PHILOSOPHY- ENRICHED INDIAN PHILOSOPHY
• EDUCATION- NALANDA & VIKRAMSHILA VIHARA EMERGES AS CENTRE OF LEARNING

1. ANCIENT INDIAN ART IS INDEBTED TO BUDDHISM. EXPLAIN

Contribution of Buddhism To Indian Culture

Like Jainism, Buddhism went a long way in influencing the Indian culture. The life and teachings of Buddha cast spell over the Indian mass. The kings patronized Buddhism and the people rendered their support to this religion. In due course of time Buddhism made great contribution to Indian society and culture.

• Development of Language and Literature: Gautam Buddha preached his ideas in simple languages. From the beginning he Pali language. With the gradual march of time, Sanskrit became the medium of preaching Buddhism. In this way, languages developed.
• Simple Religion: Buddhism was very simple. Its principles were very simple. It was easily followed by the people. It was not complex like Vedic religion. It also had no rituals. Due to the magnetic personality of Buddha, it spread throughout India. People accepted it due it simplicity.
• Opposition to Caste System: Buddha vehemently opposed the caste system in Indian society which was an ugly practice during that remote phase of history.
• Character Building: Buddhism taught many good qualities like truth non-violence, non-possession, compassion, brotherhood etc. All these virtues were meant to build up human character.
• Galvanised Hinduism: Buddhism gave an impetuous to the existing Hinduism. The Mahayanas worshipped the image of Buddha. This inspired the Hindus to worship various images of gods and goddess. Instead of complex rituals, the Hindus prayed god through meditation and prayer. This became possible due to the influence of Buddhism on Hinduism.
• Growth of Art and Architecture: Buddhism went a long way in contributing the growth of art and architecture. For the first time Asoka sued rock to create art and architecture. Many stupas, Chiatyas and Pillars were constructed on rock. Sanchi, Saranath, Dhauli, Kanheri, Mathura, Gandhara bore the imprint of Buddhist art and architecture which grew from time to time. The Buddhist paintings in Ajanta, Ellora, Karle, Bagh show the skill of Indian painters. So, art, architecture, painting etc. grew due to Buddhism.
• Monastery System: The Buddhist monasteries played vital role in Indian culture. The Buddhist monks and nuns stayed in those monasteries. For the first time, democratic procedure was found inside a Buddhist monastery.
• Preaching of Brotherhood: Buddhism propagated universal brotherhood.
• Influence on History: Buddhism exerted its influence on the course of Indian history. The land of Kalinga changed Chandasoka to Dharmasoka Buddhism also attracted Kaniska and Harshavardhan. Mahatma Gandhi also learnt the lesson of Ahimsa from Buddhism and started the struggle for freedom against the Britishraj by following the path of non­violence.
• Emancipation of Women: Buddha was the incarnation of mercy. In his monastic order he also received nuns. By this he made a noble attempt for bringing the social emancipation of women. Now the women did not consider themselves as inferior to man. In every sense, Buddha was responsible for the upliftment of the women.
• The Buddhist viharas were used for education purposes. Nalanda, Vikramshila, Taxila, Udyantpuri, Vallabhi and others cities developed as high Buddhist learning centres.

 

Miscellaneous

• TRIRATNA OF BUDDHISM- BUDDHA, DHAMMA, SANGHA
• TRI SIKSHA- SAMYAK SHEEL(MORAL CONDUCT), SAMADHI(MEDITATION),PRAGYA( WISDOM)
• FUTURE BUDDHA- MAITREYANATH
• JETVAN VIHARA- SRAVASTI
• SUTTA PITAKA- IS KNOWN AS ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BUDDHISM
• KUTTAGRA SALA- PLACE WERE DEBATES TOOK PLACE
• The main Buddhist festival of the year is Buddha Day / Wesak / Vaisakha, May- the celebration of the Buddha’s birth, enlightenment and death.
• Buddhists follow a lunar (moon) year. This means that every month begins when there is a new moon, so each month lasts 29 – 30 days
• Losar February (Full Moon Day)
  The most important Buddhist holiday in Tibet celebrating the Tibetan New Year. It begins at the full moon in February and lasts for 15 days.

 

ASTA MAHA STHAN

• Lumbini
• Bodhgaya
• Sarnath
• Kusinara
• Sravasti
• Sankisa- Uttar Pradesh near Kanpur
• Rajgriha
• Vaishali

 

IMPORTANT 8 BODHISATTVAS

• Avalokitesvara
• He is described as holding a lotus flower. A cave wall painting of Avalokiteśvara is devoted in Ajanta Caves as Padmapani.
• Manjusri
• He is described as a male Bodhisattva wielding a flaming sword in his right hand.
• Samantabhadra
• It means Universal Worthy and he is associated with meditation. He is manifested through action
• Ksitigarbha
• He is described as a Buddhist monk in the Orient/ East Asia. It means Earth Womb. He is revered as the guardian of children and patron deity of deceased children.
• Maitreya- future buddha
• He is also known as Ajita Boddhisattva. It is believed that he will arrive when oceans will decrease in size. He keeps a Kumbha or phililal in his hand and is destined to rule Varanasi (Pure Land).
• Vajrapani
• He is described as one of the 3 protective deities around Buddha, other are Manjusri and Avlokiteshwara. Vajrapani manifests Buddha’s power while Buddha’s wisdom is manifested Buddha’s wisdom and Avlokiteshwara manifests Buddha’s compassion.
• Sadaparibhuta
• Akasagarbha – He is boundless as space. He was the twin brother of Ksitigarbha. He manifests wisdom.

 

•  Parivrajaka’ ( one who wanders from place to place in quest of Truth). •  Ramabhar Stupa was built over a portion of the Buddha’s ashes on the spot where he was cremated by the ancient Malla people. •  Samantapasadika refers to a collection of Pali commentaries on the Theravada Tipitaka Vinaya. It was a translation of Sinhala commentaries into Pali by Buddhaghosa in the 5th century. •  Ambedkar’s was a new, highly idealized interpretation of Buddhism, appropriately called Navayana (the new vehicle). •  Aramikas, who may have been slaves or servants. •  Buddhism accepted the idea of varna but unlike the Brahmanical tradition, considered it man-made in the Agganna Sutta •  Like Jainism, Buddhism reversed the Brahmanical order of rank and placed the Kshatriya higher than the Brahmana. •  Maudgalyāyana (Pali: Moggallāna), also known as Mahāmaudgalyāyana or by his birth name Kolita, was one of the Buddha’s closest disciples. •  Distinguished monk Upali was originally a barber of the Shakyas. •  Two prominent disciple of Buddha – Sariputra & Maudgalyana. Both were died before the death of Buddha. •  Theories of the origin of kingship in the Agganna Sutta of the Buddhist Digha Nikaya and the Shanti Parva of the Mahabharata. •  Buddhist schools – Aparamahavinaseliya, Bahusrutiya, Ahirasamghika, Mahisasaka. •  Chinese traveller, I-tsing, who visited Gujarat around 670 A. D.,  observed that the Sammitiya school had the greatest number of followers in western India. •  Valabhi was also a renowned centre of Buddhist studies. I-tsing records that the greatest centres of learning in India were Nalanda and Valabhi. The Valabhi University was especially devoted to the study of the Sammatiya school and interested in the Hinayana. It vied with the Nalanda University, which was much devoted to Mahayana. •  Gujarat seems to have contributed some eminent Buddhist scholars during the Maitraka period. Dharmagupta, who went to China in the 6th Century, belonged to Lata, the region between the Narmada and Tapti rivers.