Professional Documents
Culture Documents
BUDDHISM
It is rather strange that the founder of Buddhism never tried to establish a new religion. Yet millions of
people accepted to follow it. He tried only to suggest measures by which one could be rid of sufferings in
the world. Where lies the strength of appeal particularly when there was no sword behind it?
The Buddha said to his disciples. "I want to send you to a foreign land. But if they do not listen to you,
what will you do? "O Enlightened One! We will think they are very good people because
though they have not listened to us, yet they have not abused us," replied a
"They are good people because they have not beaten us up," replied another disciple.
"They are still good people. They would have sent us to God when we
The master smiled and said, "You have passed the test. Now you are
This was the secret of the success of Buddhism. It became a religion on the basis of non-violence and
peace. world
Buddhism accepted certain values of Hindu religion while it rejected certain other values. It gave no
place to God and soul. Yet it gave place to 'Karma', 'Dharma' 'Sansar' and 'Maya' etc. According to
Buddha 'Karma' links us from one life to another and not the soul. He accepts rebirth but does not
accept soul. He does not believe in the authority of God but believes in 'Nirvana'. He took 547 births
before his last incarnation.
He thought that all human beings were equal. None was high or low. In fact it was more a social
revolution than a religious one. Buddhist literature was written in Pali and not in Sanskrit.
1. The world is full of sufferings. Life, death, sickness, grief and even pleasures are painful because they
are temporary.
The Buddha and Mahavira both believed in these principles. But the difference is that the Buddha laid
emphasis on the Middle Path while Mahavira laid emphasis on rigorous penance and fasting. Both
believed in non-violence.
Though Mahatma Buddha did not believe in God, he did not reject the ultimate power-unborn, eternal
and pure. After his death there was divergence of opinion among his disciples and
Hinayana accepted the basic principles of Buddhism. They are the same principles which were
enunciated by Sankhaya philosophy and Upanishads. Life is full of suffering. Only 'Nirvan' can rid us of
this suffering. This can be done by doing good deeds. Self-control is the measure which can save us from
the dictates of desires. To get rid of the cycle of life, one should follow the eight-fold path.
God is not our liberator, we are our own liberators. We can get 'Nirvana' by
good deeds. Mahayana elevated Buddha to the position of God. They followed the Hindu tradition and
began to consider him as an incarnation of God. They considered him the last 'avtar' and started
worshipping his image. They also believed that after attaining 'Nirvana' one should not come to the
earth again.
Mahayanism spread to different countries outside India China, Tibet, Korea and Japan etc. Ashoka the
Great helped a lot in spreading this religion. He called the third Council of the Buddhists. He banned
animal, slaughter; opened dispensaries and did other works of social welfare.
It is an irony that Buddhism has almost disappeared from the land of its birth and where it developed. It
was partly due to what was happening in the 'monasteries' and partly due to Muslim invaders. But it
cannot be denied that Buddhism played a remarkable role in spreading Indian culture and civilization
abroad.
1. Buddhism accepts the importance of 'Karma', which connects one life with the other.
2. It believes in rebirth. The Buddha himself had many births.
3. It believes in 'mukti' or 'Nirvana', which should be the aim of life. It can be attained by good deeds.
4. It does not believe in God and soul. 5. It does not believe in the authenticity and divine authority of
'Vedas'.
8. It was a social revolution. Buddha wanted to remove social evils and sufferings and the dominance of
Brahmins.
10. According to it, the world is full of suffering. Even pleasures are temporary and result in pain.
11. The root cause of suffering is desire. We should get rid of it.
1. Hinayana 2. Mahayana.
Mahayana Buddhists began to regard the Buddha as an incarnation of God and its followers began to
worship his image.
1. Which Aryan beliefs were accepted and which were rejected by the Buddha?
2. If he did not believe in soul, then what links one life with the other?
4. What is the cause of suffering according to the Buddha? How can it be removed?
1. God is not the liberator, but man himself is his own liberator.
For Teachers:
उत्तर दिया।
"और अगर वे तुम्हें मारते हैं?" स्वामी ने कहा।
"वे अभी भी अच्छे लोग हैं। उन्होंने हमें भगवान के पास भेजा होगा जब हम