Buddhism
Life of Gautama Buddha
- Gautama Buddha, the founder of Buddhism, was born in 563 BC (widely accepted date) on Vaishakha Purnima at Lumbinivana (Lumbini, present-day Nepal).
- He was born into the Shakya Kshatriya clan.
- His father, Suddhodana, was the republican ruler of Kapilavastu, while his mother, Mahamaya, was a princess of the Koliya Republic.
- After the early death of Mahamaya, Buddha was brought up by his stepmother and maternal aunt, Mahaprajapati Gautami.
- At a young age, he married Yashodhara, a princess of the Shakya dynasty, and they had a son named Rahul.
- The sight of four distressing scenes profoundly transformed his life:
- An old man
- A diseased person
- A dead body
- An ascetic (monk)
- At the age of 29 years, he renounced worldly life in an event known as the Mahabhinishkramana (Great Renunciation) and became a wandering ascetic.
- His first teacher was Alara Kalama, a Sankhya philosopher, from whom he learned the techniques of meditation.
- His second teacher was Udraka Ramputra.
- At the age of 35 years, while meditating under a Pipal (Bodhi) Tree at Uruvela (modern Bodh Gaya) on the banks of the Niranjana River (modern Falgu River), he attained Enlightenment (Nirvana or Sambodhi) after 49 days of continuous meditation.
- After attaining enlightenment, he became known as the Buddha (“The Enlightened One”) or Tathagata.
- Buddha delivered his first sermon at Sarnath (Deer Park) to his five disciples. This event is known as Dharmachakra Pravartana, meaning the “Turning of the Wheel of Law.”
- Gautama Buddha died at the age of 80 years in 483 BC at Kushinagar (identified with modern Kasia in Kushinagar district of Uttar Pradesh).
- His death is known as Mahaparinirvana, meaning the Final Passing Away or Final Blowing Out.
Great Events of Buddha’s Life and Their Symbols
Event | Symbol |
Janma (Birth) | Lotus and Bull |
Mahabhinishkramana (Great Renunciation) | Horse |
Nirvana / Sambodhi (Enlightenment) | Bodhi Tree |
Dharmachakra Pravartana (First Sermon) | Wheel (Dharmachakra) |
Mahaparinirvana (Death) | Stupa |
Important Personalities Associated with Buddha
- Kanthaka – Buddha’s horse
- Channa – Buddha’s charioteer
- Devadatta – Buddha’s cousin
- Sujata – The farmer’s daughter who offered rice-milk (Kheer) to Buddha at Bodh Gaya
Other Names of Gautama Buddha
- Gautama – Clan name
- Siddhartha – Childhood name
- Shakyamuni – The Sage of the Shakya Clan
Doctrine of Buddhism
Chatvari Arya Satyani (Four Noble Truths)
The Four Noble Truths (Chatvari Arya Satyani) form the core philosophy and essence of Buddhism.
Life is Full of Suffering (Dukkha)
- The first noble truth states that life is inherently full of suffering and sorrow.
- This concept is expressed as “Sabbam Dukkham” (Everything is suffering).
Cause of Suffering (Dukkha Samudaya)
- The second noble truth explains that suffering has definite causes.
- This principle is explained through the doctrine of Dwadash Nidana (Twelve Links of Dependent Origination) or Pratitya Samutpada (Dependent Origination).
Cessation of Suffering (Dukkha Nirodha)
- The third noble truth teaches that suffering can be completely eliminated.
- The complete cessation of suffering is called Nirvana.
Path Leading to the Cessation of Suffering (Dukkha Nirodha Gamini Pratipada)
- The fourth noble truth prescribes the path to end suffering through the Ashtangika Marga (Eightfold Path).
Important Notes
- Pratitya Samutpada is also known as:
- Hetuvada – Theory of Cause and Effect
- Kshanabhangavada – Theory of Momentariness or Impermanence
- According to Buddhism, Desire (Trishna/Tanha) is regarded as the root cause of all suffering.
- The ultimate goal of human life is to attain Nirvana, a state of eternal peace, bliss, and liberation from the cycle of birth and death (Samsara).
- Ashtangika Marga (Eightfold Path)
- The Ashtangika Marga consists of eight righteous principles that lead an individual towards Nirvana:
- Pratitya Samutpada is also known as:
- Right Observation (Right View)
- Right Determination (Right Resolve)
- Right Speech
- Right Action
- Right Livelihood
- Right Effort (Right Exercise)
- Right Mindfulness (Right Memory)
- Right Meditation
- Madhyama Marga (Middle Path)
- Madhyama Marga or Madhyama Pratipada advocates the Middle Path.
- It teaches that an individual should avoid both extremes:
- A life of luxury, pleasure, and indulgence
- A life of severe asceticism and self-torture
- Instead, one should follow a balanced and moderate way of life.
- Madhyama Marga (Middle Path)
Triratna (Three Jewels of Buddhism)
The Three Jewels (Triratna), which every Buddhist seeks refuge in, are:
- Buddha – The Enlightened One
- Dharma – The Teachings or Doctrine
- Sangha – The Community of Monks and Followers
Buddhist Councils
1st Buddhist Council (483 BC)
- Year: 483 BC
- Venue: Saptaparni Cave, Rajagriha (Rajgir)
- Chairman: Mahakassapa
- Patron: Ajatashatru (Haryanka Dynasty)
- Major Outcomes:
- Compilation of the Sutta Pitaka
- Compilation of the Vinaya Pitaka
- These were compiled by Ananda and Upali, respectively.
2nd Buddhist Council (383 BC)
- Year: 383 BC
- Venue: Vaishali
- Chairman: Chullavanga Sabbakami
- Patron: Kalashoka (Shishunaga Dynasty)
- Major Outcomes:
- Debate over changes in monastic rules followed by the monks of Vaishali
- Emergence of the first major schism between the Sthaviravadins and Mahasanghikas
3rd Buddhist Council (250 BC)
- Year: 250 BC
- Venue: Ashokarama Vihara, Pataliputra
- Chairman: Moggaliputta Tissa
- Patron: Emperor Ashoka (Maurya Dynasty)
- Major Outcomes:
- Compilation of the Abhidhamma Pitaka
- Decision to send Buddhist missionaries to different parts of the world for the spread of Buddhism.
4th Buddhist Council (98 AD)
- Year: 98 AD
- Venue: Kundalavana, Kashmir
- Chairman: Vasumitra
- Vice-Chairman: Ashvaghosha
- Patron: Kanishka (Kushana Dynasty)
- Major Outcomes:
- Compilation of the Mahavibhasha Shastra, a Sanskrit commentary on the Tripitaka
- Formal division of Buddhism into Hinayana and Mahayana traditions.
Buddhist Literature
1.Pali Texts
Tripitaka (Three Baskets)
- The term Pitaka literally means “Basket”, because the original Buddhist texts were written on palm leaves and preserved in baskets.
- The Tripitaka (Three Baskets) forms the most important collection of Buddhist scriptures and consists of:
- Sutta Pitaka
- Contains the discourses and teachings (sermons) of Gautama Buddha.
- Vinaya Pitaka
- Contains the monastic code of conduct and disciplinary rules for Buddhist monks and nuns.
- Abhidhamma Pitaka
- Deals with the philosophical and doctrinal aspects of Buddhism.
- It comprises the following Nikayas (Collections):
- Digha Nikaya
- Majjhima Nikaya
- Samyukta Nikaya
- Anguttara Nikaya
- Khuddaka (Kshudraka) Nikaya
Milindapanho (Questions of Milinda)
- Milindapanho records the famous dialogue between Indo-Greek ruler Menander (Milinda) and the Buddhist monk Nagasena.
Dipavamsa and Mahavamsa
- Dipavamsa and Mahavamsa are regarded as the great historical chronicles of Sri Lanka, providing valuable information about the spread of Buddhism.
2. Sanskrit Buddhist Texts
Several important Buddhist works were composed in Sanskrit by renowned scholars.
Ashvaghosha
- Buddha Charita
- Saundarananda
- Sutralankara
- Sariputra Prakarana
- Vajra Suchi
Vasumitra
- Mahavibhasha Shastra
Buddhaghosha
- Visuddhimagga
- Atthakathayen (Commentaries)
- Sumangalavilasini
Nagarjuna
- Madhyamika Karika
- Prajnaparamita Karika
Sects of Buddhism
Hinayana (The Lesser Vehicle)
- Followers of Hinayana believed in the original teachings of Gautama Buddha.
- They emphasized individual salvation through self-discipline, meditation, and personal effort.
- Idol worship was not accepted in this tradition.
- Pali was the preferred language for religious literature and teachings.
- Hinayana is also known as the “Southern Buddhist Tradition”, as it spread mainly in:
- Sri Lanka
- Burma (Myanmar)
- Siam (Thailand)
- Java
- The two important sub-sects of Hinayana were:
- Vaibhashika
- Sautrantika
Mahayana (The Greater Vehicle)
- Followers of Mahayana Buddhism believed in the divinity or heavenly nature of Buddha.
- They emphasized the salvation of all beings through the grace and compassion of Buddha and Bodhisattvas.
- Idol worship became an important feature of Mahayana Buddhism.
- Sanskrit was the preferred language for Mahayana literature.
- Mahayana is known as the “Northern Buddhist Tradition”, as it spread mainly in:
- China
- Korea
- Japan
- Other parts of North and East Asia
- The two major sub-sects of Mahayana were:
- Madhyamika (Shunyavada) – Founded by Nagarjuna
- Yogachara (Vijnanavada) – Developed by Maitreyanatha and his disciple Asanga
Vajrayana
- Followers of Vajrayana Buddhism believed that salvation could be attained through the acquisition of mystical or magical powers, collectively known as Vajra.
- The principal deities worshipped in this sect were the Taras.
- Vajrayana Buddhism became particularly popular in Eastern India, especially in:
- Bengal
- Bihar
Important Bodhisattvas
Vajrapani
- Resembles Indra.
- Carries a thunderbolt (Vajra).
- Regarded as the destroyer of sin and evil.
Avalokitesvara (Padmapani)
- Also known as Padmapani (Lotus Bearer).
- Means “The Lord Who Looks Down (with Compassion)”.
- Revered as a symbol of kindness and compassion.
Manjushri
- Known as the “Stimulator of Understanding” or the Bodhisattva of Wisdom.
- Depicted holding a book describing the Ten Paramitas (Spiritual Perfections).
Maitreya
- Revered as the Future Buddha, who is expected to appear in the future to restore Dharma.
Kshitigarbha
- Considered the Guardian of Purgatories and protector of beings in difficult realms of existence.
Amitabha (Amitayusha)
- Revered as the Buddha of Heaven and associated with the Pure Land tradition.
Sacred Shrines of Buddhism
- The four principal events in the life of Gautama Buddha took place at the following four sacred sites:
- Lumbini – Birth
- Bodh Gaya – Enlightenment (Nirvana)
- Sarnath – First Sermon (Dharmachakra Pravartana)
- Kushinagar – Mahaparinirvana (Death)
- In addition to these four, another four important pilgrimage centres are included:
- Sravasti
- Rajagriha (Rajgir)
- Vaishali
- Sankasya
- Together, these eight sacred places have traditionally been regarded as the Ashta Mahasthanas (Eight Holy Buddhist Shrines).
- Other Important Centres of Buddhism in Ancient India :
- Amaravati – Andhra Pradesh
- Nagarjunikonda – Andhra Pradesh
- Nalanda – Bihar
- Junagadh – Gujarat
- Vallabhi – Gujarat
- Sanchi – Madhya Pradesh
- Bharhut – Madhya Pradesh
- Ajanta–Ellora – Maharashtra
- Dhauli – Odisha
- Kanauj – Uttar Pradesh
- Kaushambi – Uttar Pradesh
- Mathura – Uttar Pradesh
- Jagaddala – West Bengal
- Somapuri – West Bengal
Buddhist Architecture
Buddhist architecture developed mainly in three important forms:
Stupa
- A hemispherical structure built to preserve the relics of Gautama Buddha or eminent Buddhist monks.
Chaitya
- A Buddhist prayer hall or place of worship.
Vihara
- A monastery or residential complex where Buddhist monks lived and studied.
Major Buddhist Universities
University | Location | Founder |
Nalanda | Badagaon, Bihar | Kumaragupta I (Gupta ruler) |
Odantapuri | Bihar Sharif, Bihar | Gopala (Pala ruler) |
Vikramshila | Bhagalpur, Bihar | Dharmapala (Pala ruler) |
Somapuri | North Bengal | Dharmapala (Pala ruler) |
Jagaddala | Bengal | Rampala (Pala ruler) |
Vallabhi | Gujarat | Bhattarka (Maitraka ruler) |
Royal Patrons of Buddhism
Several kings and rulers actively patronized and promoted Buddhism. The important Royal Patrons of Buddhism include:
- Bimbisara – Magadhan ruler
- Ajatashatru – Magadhan ruler
- Udayana – Vatsa ruler
- Pradyota – Avanti ruler
- Ashoka – Mauryan ruler
- Dasharatha – Mauryan ruler
- Milinda (Menander) – Indo-Greek ruler
- Kanishka – Kushana ruler
- Harshavardhana – Vardhana ruler
- Gopala – Pala ruler
- Dharmapala – Pala ruler
- Rampala – Pala ruler
Important Facts :
- Emperor Ashoka, regarded as the greatest patron of Buddhism, convened the Third Buddhist Council and dispatched Buddhist missionary missions, including his son Mahendra and daughter Sanghamitra, to Sri Lanka for the propagation of Buddhism.
- Emperor Kanishka convened the Fourth Buddhist Council and played a significant role in spreading Buddhism by sending missions to China, Korea, and Japan.
- The Pala rulers of Bengal and Bihar were the last great royal patrons of Buddhism in India, contributing immensely to the establishment of renowned Buddhist monasteries and universities.