Buddhism
A.5.1 Buddhism
A. Origin of Buddhism
- Founder: Siddhartha Gautama (referred to as the Buddha)
- Time and Place: 6th century BCE, Lumbini (present-day Nepal)
- Reason for Origin: Dissatisfaction with the Vedic rituals and the suffering in life
- Key Concepts Introduced:
- Dukkha (Suffering): Inherent in life
- Samudaya (Origin of Suffering): Desire and attachment
- Nirodha (Cessation of Suffering): Nirvana
- Magga (Path to End Suffering): Noble Eightfold Path
B. Life of Mahatma Buddha
- Early Life:
- Born as Siddhartha Gautama in Lumbini
- Son of King Suddhodana and Queen Maya
- Given name Siddhartha, meaning “Achiever of His Goals”
- Renunciation:
- At age 29, he left his palace to seek enlightenment
- Went through Great Renunciation
- Enlightenment:
- Meditated under the Bodhi Tree (now in Bodh Gaya)
- Attained Nirvana at age 35
- Teachings:
- Began preaching in Sarnath
- Delivered the Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta (First Sermon)
- Death:
- Died at age 80 in Kushinagar
- Known as Parinirvana
C. Philosophy of Buddhism
- Core Teachings:
- Four Noble Truths: Dukkha, Samudaya, Nirodha, Magga
- Noble Eightfold Path: Right View, Right Intention, Right Speech, Right Action, Right Livelihood, Right Effort, Right Mindfulness, Right Concentration
- Key Concepts:
- Anatta (No-Self): No permanent, unchanging self
- Karma: Actions determine future rebirths
- Rebirth: Cycle of birth, death, and rebirth (Samsara)
- Nirvana: Liberation from the cycle of rebirth and suffering
- Ethical Teachings:
- Five Precepts: Abstain from killing, stealing, sexual misconduct, false speech, and intoxicants
- Meditation:
- Practices like Vipassana (insight meditation) and Samatha (calm meditation)
D. Literature of Buddhism
| Text | Period | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Sutta Pitaka | 5th century BCE | Collection of Buddha’s sermons |
| Vinaya Pitaka | 5th century BCE | Rules for monastic life |
| Abhidhamma Pitaka | 5th century BCE | Philosophical and psychological analysis |
| Jataka Tales | 3rd century BCE | Stories of Buddha’s past lives |
| Tripitaka | 3rd century BCE | Three baskets of teachings (Sutta, Vinaya, Abhidhamma) |
| Mahayana Sutras | 1st century BCE–1st century CE | Emphasize Bodhisattva ideal |
| Pali Canon | 1st century BCE | Earliest Buddhist scriptures in Pali language |
E. Buddhist Councils
| Council | Time | Location | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| First Buddhist Council | 543 BCE | Rajagaha | To recite and preserve Buddha’s teachings |
| Second Buddhist Council | 483 BCE | Vaishali | To resolve disputes over monastic discipline |
| Third Buddhist Council | 383 BCE | Pataliputra | To compile and standardize scriptures |
| Fourth Buddhist Council | 1st century BCE | Kashmir | To compile Mahayana texts |
| Fifth Buddhist Council | 1954 | Kirti Stupa, India | To compile and preserve texts in modern times |
F. Sects of Buddhism
| Sect | Time of Origin | Main Features | Key Texts | Important Centers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Theravāda | 3rd century BCE | Follows Pali Canon, monastic discipline | Pali Canon | Sri Lanka, Thailand, Myanmar |
| Mahāyāna | 1st century BCE–1st century CE | Emphasizes Bodhisattva ideal, Mahayana sutras | Mahayana Sutras | India, China, Japan |
| Vajrayāna | 7th century CE | Uses esoteric practices, mantras, visualizations | Tantras | Tibet, Nepal, Bhutan |
| Zen | 6th century CE | Focus on meditation and direct experience | Zen Sutras | Japan, China |
| Pure Land | 6th century CE | Emphasizes devotion to Amitabha Buddha | Pure Land Sutras | Japan, China |
| Tibetan Buddhism | 7th century CE | Blend of Mahayana and Vajrayana | Tantras, Sutras | Tibet, Mongolia, Nepal |
G. Key Facts for Competitive Exams
- Buddha’s Birth Year: 563 BCE
- First Buddhist Council: 543 BCE, Rajagaha
- Four Noble Truths: Central to Buddhist teachings
- Noble Eightfold Path: The way to end suffering
- Theravāda: Most prevalent in Southeast Asia
- Mahāyāna: Emphasizes Bodhisattva ideal
- Vajrayāna: Also known as Tantric Buddhism
- Pure Land Buddhism: Popular in Japan
- Zen Buddhism: Focus on meditation and direct insight
- Bodh Gaya: Site of Buddha’s enlightenment
- Kushinagar: Site of Buddha’s death
- Sarnath: Site of Buddha’s first sermon
H. Comparison of Theravāda and Mahāyāna
| Feature | Theravāda | Mahāyāna |
|---|---|---|
| Scriptures | Pali Canon | Mahayana Sutras |
| Bodhisattva Ideal | Not emphasized | Central |
| Nirvana | Goal for monks | Goal for all |
| Buddha’s Nature | Historical figure | Divine being |
| Monastic Discipline | Strict | More flexible |
| Geographical Spread | Southeast Asia | East Asia, Tibet |
I. Important Dates
- 6th century BCE: Birth of Buddha
- 543 BCE: First Buddhist Council
- 483 BCE: Second Buddhist Council
- 383 BCE: Third Buddhist Council
- 1st century BCE: Fourth Buddhist Council
- 1954: Fifth Buddhist Council
- 563 BCE: Buddha’s birth
- 543 BCE: Buddha’s death (Parinirvana)
J. Key Terms
- Dukkha: Suffering
- Samudaya: Origin of suffering
- Nirodha: Cessation of suffering
- Magga: Path to end suffering
- Anatta: No-self
- Karma: Moral law of cause and effect
- Rebirth: Cycle of birth and death
- Nirvana: Liberation from suffering
- Bodhisattva: Enlightened being who delays Nirvana to help others
- Tantra: Esoteric Buddhist texts and practices
- Samsara: Cycle of rebirth
- Vipassana: Insight meditation
- Samatha: Calm meditation
K. Commonly Asked Questions
- Who was the founder of Buddhism? Siddhartha Gautama (Buddha)
- Where did the Buddha attain enlightenment? Bodh Gaya
- What are the Four Noble Truths? Dukkha, Samudaya, Nirodha, Magga
- What is the Noble Eightfold Path? Eight steps to end suffering
- What is the difference between Theravāda and Mahāyāna? Theravāda follows Pali Canon, Mahāyāna emphasizes Bodhisattva ideal
- What is the significance of the First Buddhist Council? To preserve Buddha’s teachings
- Which country is the birthplace of Buddhism? India
- What is the main goal of Buddhism? Nirvana
- Which Buddhist sect is most prevalent in Thailand? Theravāda
- What is the main practice of Zen Buddhism? Meditation and direct insight
BETA
