BUDDHISM

FACTOR RESPONSIBLE FOR RISE OF BUDDHISM

1. Limitation of Brahmanical order.
2. Liberal & progressive character of Buddhism ie – idea of
middle path (free form extreme austerity or extreme
luxury), 4 noble truth, 8-fold path & 10 teachings were
easy to understand & follow.
3. The personality of Buddha – down to earth & felt the
pulse of people.
4. The use of Pali language which the common masses
could understand.
5. Royal patronage of many strong rulers like Bimbi Sara,
Ajatshatru, Ashoka, Kanishka etc. These rulers organized
a number of Buddhist assemblies to propagate Buddha’s
teaching.
6. Role played by merchants-The Buddhist monks used to
accompany convoy of merchants & because of this,
Buddhism moved along the trade route & therefore, it
was taken to Central Asia, South-East Asia,
Afghanistan etc.
7. Role played by Ashoka to organize the 3rd Buddhist
council at Pataliputra & send a number of Buddhist
scholars to different parts of the world.

NAME REGION SEND TO

MAJHANTIKA KASHMIR & GANDHARA
SONA & UTTARA SWARNA – BHUMI
RAKSHITA BANAVASI

MAHA RAKSHITA YONA

DHARMARAKSHITA APARANTAKA
MAHADEVA MAHAMANDAL
MAHINDA & SANGHAMITRA SRI LANKA

8. Buddhism was propagated in China by DHARMA

RAKSHITA, KASHYAPA MATANGA & KUMAR JIVA. The
propagation of Buddhism in China started in the 1st
century BC but gained momentum around the 1st century
AD due to the efforts of these scholars. From China,
Buddhism moved to Japan & Korea.
9. DIPANKAR ATISA, SHANTARAKSHITA & KAMALASHILA
were responsible for spreading Buddhism in Tibet.
10. Santarakshita was responsible for starting LAMAISM in
Tibet.

LIFE OF BUDDHA
BORN 563 BC
Place Lumbini ( near Kapilavastu)
Original name Siddhartha also known as
Shakyamuni / Tathagata
Father Suddhodana (Chief of the
Sakhya clan
Mother Mahadevi / Mahayana (Princess
of Kosala) died after 7 days of
birth of Siddhartha

Step – mother GAUTAMI

Wife YASHODHARA
Son RAHUL
 1st teacher Uddaka Ramaputta ( at Rajgriha
) , Alarakalama (at Vaishali ) (he
taught him meditation)
Low caste girl who SUJATA
offered milk & rice to
Buddha
MARA Lord of illusion

At the age of 29 ( as mentioned in DIGHA-NIKAYA ) after

seeing an old man, sick man, corpus or dead man & an
aesthetic, he decided to become wanderer & left his place with
CHANNA (charioteer) & his favorite horse KANTHAKA &
wandered for 6 year.
He meditated with established teachers of his time i.e. ALARA
KALAM & UDDAKA RAMAPUTTA but were not convinced with
their instructions that man could obtain liberation from sorrow
by mental discipline & knowledge only.
Later on, he was accompanied by 5 wandering aesthetics
(Kondanna, Bhaddhiya, Vappa, Mahanama, Assaji ). He
practiced severe austerity until his body was almost
emancipated. Later, he realized that this is not the real path for
obtaining salvation.
Then he moved to a village called SENANI where he resolved
not to rise again until he attained enlightenment.
At the age of 35, he attained Nirvana at GAYA under a Peepal
tree on the banks of River Niranjan & came to be known as
Buddha ie – the enlightened one.

He delivered his first sermon to his 5 former companion in

Deer Park at SARNATH and the event is known as
DHARMACHAKRA PARIVARTANA.
∙ His 5 disciples soon realized the truth themselves and
became ARHATS.
∙ Buddha established an order of monks & nuns known as
SANGHA.
 ∙ He finally attained PARINIRVANA at age of 80 in
KUSHINAGARA & his last word was all composite
things decay, strive diligently.

DOCTRINE OF BUDDHISM
The core Buddha doctrine is expressed in 4 noble truths,
8-fold path, middle path, social code of conduct & Nirvana.
The 3 most important pillar of Buddhism are:-
BUDDHA- Teacher
DHAMMA – Philosophy
SANGH – Order of Buddhist monk & nun
The 4 noble truths form the central teaching of Buddhism. They are
1. Truth of suffering.
2. The truth of the cause of suffering is desire.
3. The truth of the end of suffering is – suffering can be ended
and Nirvana can be attained.
4. The truth of the path leading to the end of
suffering.
8-FOLD PATH (ASTANGIKA
MARG)
1. Right vision.
2. Right thought or attitude.
3. Right speech.
4. Right action.
5. Right livelihood.
6. Right effort.
7. Right mindfulness.
8. Right concentration.

∙ The path Buddha taught is often referred to as the Middle

Path.
 ∙ NIRVANA is the ultimate goal of Buddha’s teaching.

THOUGHTS & PHILOSOPHY OF

BUDDHISM
∙ Buddhism accepts the idea of transmigration & it is
explained in Paticca Samuppada.
∙ Did not believe in the permanence of soul.
∙ Neither accepted nor rejected the existence of God.
∙ Emphasized on Ahimsa.
∙ Opposed the caste system.
∙ Rejected Vedas & Vedic rituals.
∙ Condemned sacrifices.
∙ Did not acknowledge the permanent existence of anything.
∙ Religion without god & soul.

4 BUDDHIST COUNCILS
1) First Buddhist Council
Time period – 483 BC Place – Rajgriha
Ruler – Ajatshatru
President – MAHAKASSAPA
It was held soon after the death of Buddha & led to
the compilation of 2 Pittaka ie -
∙ Vinaya Pitaka - Rules of order & it was recited by UPALI.
∙ Sutta Pitaka - Collection of Buddha sermon & it was
compiled by ANANDA.

2) 2nd BUDDHIST COUNCIL

 Time Period – 383 BC
Place – Vaishali
Ruler – Kalashoka
President – Sabbakami
The objective was to settle the debate on the practices
of Buddhist monks and it led to the division into :

STHAVIRAVADINS – Called themselves as THERA (Elder) &

felt that they were keeping with the original spirit of Buddha’s
teaching.
MAHASANGHIKAS – Interpreted Buddhist teaching in a
more liberal way.
The two groups would eventually evolve into THERAVADIN &
MAHAYANISM.

3) 3rd BUDDHIST COUNCIL

Time period – 250 BC
Place – Pataliputra
King - Ashoka
President – Mogaliputta Tissa.
It was held to settle the dispute arising out of the
rival claims to authority & to purify Buddhism for
the
opportunistic factions. It resulted into
1. Establishment of THERAVADIN as true follower
of Buddhism.
2. The final compilation of Tri-pittakas took place as
Abhidhamma Pittaka was compiled & coded in
Pali language.
3. Sending missionaries to other countries.

4) 4TH BUDDHIST COUNCIL

 Time Period – 90 AD.
Place – Kashmir or Jalandhar
King – Kanishka
President – Vasumitra
It was to settle the differences among all the 18 sects
of Buddhism & to compose VIBHASAS ie –
commentaries.
It led to
Terms & their meanings1. Division of Buddhist
into 2 different sects ie – MAHAYANISM &
HINAYANISM.

2. Codification of the Sarvastividin & Mahasanghika

doctrine as MAHAVIBHASA.
3. The conduct of the council was in Sanskrit.
4. Spread of Buddhism to other countries.

Terms & their meanings

CHATIYA - Prayer hall of monks.

VIHARA - Monasteries.
PRAVRAJYA- Ceremony to mark the
becoming of novice under a preceptor. It involves shaving
of head & wearing of Buddhist clothes.

UPASAMPADA - A ceremony where a novice

becomes a full-fledged member of the monastic
community.

UPASTHA - Ceremony held on full & new moon.

PAVARANA - The Buddhist holiday celebrated

on full moon. It marks the end of the rainy season. On
this day each monk must come before the Sangha &
accept for the offenses he may have committed during
the rainy season i.e VASA.

UPASAKA - Male follower

UPASIKA - Female follower

BODHISATTVA - The enlightened being who have
renounced their own salvation to help other to attain Nirvana.

THERAGATHA - Verses for elder monk

THERIGATHA - Verses for elder nuns

SAKRA - God Indra

various Bodhisattva at Buddhist tradition

AVALOKITESVARA Bodhisattva of kindness.
MANJUSHRI Bodhisattva of wisdom.
VAJRAPANI Bodhisattva of power.
AMITABH Bodhisattva of infinite light.
KSITIGARBHA Deities of purification.
PADAMPANI / lotus bearer.
AVALOKITESVARA
MAITREYA Future Buddha & a pot carrier
& waiting in TUSHITA heaven.
PRAJNAPARAMITA Lord of mind.
KALADEVA & KAUNDIYA
Kaladeva was an astrologer who said Gautam Buddha
will become ascetic at the time of his birth.

CHUNDA – Name of a person who offered pork to Buddha

which led to death of Buddha.

TATHAGAT One who had attained the truth.

SARNATH Bodh Sangha was established over here.
VAISHALI Establishment of Women Bodh Sangha.
1ST Female nun MAHAPRAJAPATI GAUTAMI, AMRAPALI
( for Vaishali ).
Buddha’s last Subhadra & Ananda.
teaching was heard
by
Place where Buddha SHRAVASTI.
gave most of his
preaching
1st image of Buddha Mathura school of art & then in
was made in Gandhari school of art.
King's contemporary Bimbi Sara & Ajatshatru ( Magadha
of Buddha. ), Chetak (Vaishali ),
Prasenjit ( Kosala ),
Chand Pradyot ( Avanti ),
Brahma Dutta & Dadivahan ( Anga ).

- AnandhaPindaka / Sudatta - He donated Jetuvan-vihar in

Shravasti to Buddha. He was a famous trader.
 VARIOUS SYMBOL

Lotus & Symbol of Birth.

white
elephant.

Bull Spiritual power of Buddha / Symbol

of Birth.
Horse Maha-abhinishkarman.
Peepal tree Enlightenment.
Stupa & Feet Represent Mahapari-nirvana ( death
of Buddha).
Chakra Dharma-chakra pravartan ( first
teaching ).
Lion Physical power of Buddha.

BUDDHIST LITERATURE
1. Vinaya Pittaka – various chapters in it are:-

Patimokkha – it is law book for monks & nuns.

Parivar – Patha – is a law book for householders.
2. SUTTA PITAKA
It mainly consists of discourses delivered by Buddha himself
on various occasions. It consists of Digha Nikaya – collection
of long sermons of Buddha & various circumstances in which
he preached them.
Anguttara Nikaya – It mentioned about 16
Mahajanapadas.
Dhampada– It is considered as Geeta of Buddha religion.
Khudhaka Nikaya – Various Jataka which explain the last
birth of Buddha is a part of it.
3. ABHIDHAMMA PITTAKA
- Written by Mogaliputta Tissa.
4. LALITA VISTARA

- It is a Mahayana text containing a narrative of life of

Buddha.
5. ABHIDHAMMA KOSA
- Written by Vasubandhu.

6. VISUDDHIMAGGA
- Written by Buddha Ghosha.
7. BUDDHA CHARITRA
- Biography of Buddha by Asvaghosha.
8. SRILANKAN CHRONICLE
I. Dipavamsa.
II. Mahavamsa.
III. Culavamsa.
9. NIDANAKATHA
- Biography of Buddha.
10. MILIND PANHO BY NAGASENA
Terms
 Asana Regular meeting of sangha
panapaka with proper sitting
arrangement.
Poshada Fort night meeting of the sangha.
Uposatha / The days of fast that are on full
Roya moon, new moon & two quarter
moon days in the month. They are
the 4 sacred days in Buddhism.

ASVAGHOSA
- Deputy of 4th Buddhist council. He wrote various books like
Buddha-charita & Sundhar–nanda.
-

DIGANAGA
- Founder of Buddhist logic & known as father of medieval
Nyaya philosophy. He wrote – Nyayamukh & Pramukh
Samuchaya.

TWO SCHOOL OF MAHAYANISM

Madhyamika
Founder – Nagarjuna (also
known as Einstein of
India).
He gave the theory of
relativity through doctrine of
Sunyavada & wrote books
like Prajna-Paramita &
Madhyamika Karika.
Madhyamika are
sometimes known as
Yogachara
Founder-Maitreya.
According to it, the whole
universe exists only in the
mind of the perceiver.
Important Philosopher
associated with these schools
are – ASANGA,
VASUBANDHU, DIGNAGA &
DHARMAKIRTI.
 Sunyavadins.

According to Buddhist philosophy, Nirvana can be achieved

in life.
(According to Jain philosophy, Nirvana can be achieved after death).
∙ Buddha ignored the existence of the soul but accepted
rebirth. ∙ The title of Buddha is ANAKATA i.e. the person
who ignored the existence of soul.
HINAYANA BUDDHISM
∙ It is a religion without God & Karma taking the place of
God.
∙ It stands for ARHANT-HOOD ( a type of Buddhist
god) . ARHANT is a person who obtains personal
salvation. ∙ This school ignored idol worship & rituals.
MAHAYANA BUDDHISM
∙ Itmeans a great vehicle which can accommodate as much
larger number of people & can safely & securely take
them towards the soul of Nirvana.
∙ Mahayana believed that Nirvana can be attained with help
of Bodhisattva.
∙ The 545 Jataka stories tell about the incarnation of
Buddha in different beings.
TANTRIK SECT OF BUDDHISM
1. It belongs to Mahayana sect specially to Yogacara school.
2. The basic tenets of tantric sect are Mantra, Yantra,
Mandal, Mudra, Yoga and Sexual acts.

3. The literature of Tantrik sect are

i.) Guhyasamaja Tantra.
ii.)Manjushri Mulakalpa.
Some important information about Buddhism
 MATANGA 1st untouchable to
enter Buddha Sangha.
Hinayana Sri Lanka, Burma,
Cambodia, Laos,
Thailand.
Mahayana China, Japan, and
Central Asia.
Tantric Bengal, Bihar,
Buddhism Odisha, Assam.
popular in

UNIVERSITIES RELATED TO BUDDHISM

1. Nalanda University - Founder –
Kumaragupta-I.
2. Vikramshila university – Founder-
Dharmpala.
3. Odantapuri university – Founder- Gopala.

4. Samapur university –Founder-

Dharmapala.
5. Jagdalpur university –Founder- Devpala.
6. Takshila university – Founder- Taksh.
7. Vallabhi University –Founder- Gunamati and Sthiramati.

ASTHA MAHASTHAN
1. Lumbini.
2. Bodh Gaya.
3. Sarnath.
4. Kushinagar.
5. Shravasti.
6. Rajgriha.
7. Vaishali.
8. Sankasya.