GK TOPICS: BUDDHISM

BUDDHISM

PYQ: WHERE DID GAUTAM BUDDHA DELIVER HIS FIRST SERMON?

• Founded by: Siddhartha Gautama (later known as the Buddha) in the 6th century BCE.
• Birthplace: Lumbini (modern-day Nepal), in the Gangetic plains of North India.
• Context: Emerged during the period of Second Urbanisation in India when:
  • Society was transitioning from rural to urban.
  • There was dissatisfaction with Brahmanical rituals and the caste system.
• Reaction to:
  • Complex Vedic sacrifices.
  • Monopoly of Brahmins on religious practices.
  • Rigid varna (caste) hierarchy.
• Core Message:
  • Spiritual liberation (Nirvana) through ethical living, mindfulness, and meditation.
  • Rejection of ritualism, theism, and caste discrimination.

These form the core philosophy of all Buddhist schools:

1. Dukkha – Life is full of suffering.
2. Samudaya – Suffering is caused by desire (tanha).
3. Nirodha – Cessation of suffering is possible.
4. Magga – The path to end suffering is the Eightfold Path.

Divided into three categories:

• Wisdom (Prajna):
  • Right View
  • Right Intention
• Ethical Conduct (Sila):
  • Right Speech
  • Right Action
  • Right Livelihood
• Mental Discipline (Samadhi):
  • Right Effort
  • Right Mindfulness
  • Right Concentration

• Anicca – Impermanence.
• Dukkha – Unsatisfactoriness.
• Anatta – Non-self or absence of eternal soul.

D. Karma and Rebirth

• Belief in cause and effect.
• Ethical actions influence future rebirths.

These councils were held to preserve, codify, and interpret Buddha’s teachings after his death.

• Held after Buddha’s Mahaparinirvana.
• Convened by King Ajatashatru.
• Mahakassapa presided.
• Teachings orally compiled:
  • Vinaya Pitaka (monastic rules) by Upali.
  • Sutta Pitaka (discourses) by Ananda.

Second Council (Vaishali, c. 383 BCE)

• Convened under King Kalasoka.
• Issue: Relaxation of monastic rules by some monks.
• Result: First major schism:
  • Sthaviravadins (orthodox)
  • Mahasanghikas (liberal)

• Held under Emperor Ashoka.
• Presided by Moggaliputta Tissa.
• Purpose: To purify the Sangha of heretical monks.
• Compilation of Abhidhamma Pitaka (philosophical teachings).
• Sent missionaries to Sri Lanka and Central Asia.

Fourth Council (Kashmir, c. 1st century CE)

• Held under Kushan Emperor Kanishka.
• Presided by Vasumitra and Ashvaghosha.
• Formal rise of Mahayana Buddhism.
• Buddhist texts written in Sanskrit.

Buddhism eventually evolved into different schools or sects, mainly due to doctrinal and disciplinary disagreements.

• Meaning: "Teaching of the Elders".
• Earliest and most conservative school.
• Focus: Individual enlightenment (Arhat ideal).
• Language: Pali Canon (Tipitaka).
• Present in: Sri Lanka, Thailand, Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia.
• Characteristics:
  • Non-theistic,
  • Emphasis on monastic life and meditation.

• Meaning: "Great Vehicle".
• Emerged around 1st century CE.
• Focus: Universal salvation, Bodhisattva ideal.
• Beliefs:
  • Worship of Buddha as a divine figure.
  • Emphasis on compassion and altruism.
• Scriptures: Sanskrit Sutras (e.g., Lotus Sutra).
• Present in: China, Korea, Japan, Vietnam.

• Meaning: "Diamond Vehicle".
• Emerged around the 7th century CE.
• Blend of Mahayana philosophy and Tantric practices.
• Practices:
  • Mantras, mudras, mandalas.
  • Use of rituals and esoteric techniques.
• Prominent in: Tibet, Bhutan, Mongolia.

• Zen Buddhism (Japan): Focus on meditation (zazen) and direct experience.
• Pure Land Buddhism (China & Japan): Faith in Amitabha Buddha for rebirth in a paradise realm.
• Tibetan Buddhism: A synthesis of Vajrayana, Mahayana, and native Bon traditions.

• Began during the Gupta period (4th century CE), which revived Hinduism.
• Lack of royal patronage, internal divisions, and monastic rigidity led to decline.
• Islamic invasions in 12th century CE destroyed key institutions like Nalanda and Vikramshila.
• Buddhism survived only in Himalayan regions and abroad (e.g., Southeast Asia, East Asia).

• Buddhism arose as a reform movement against ritualistic Brahmanism and provided a universal spiritual path.
• Over centuries, it evolved into multiple sects with diverse practices but shared core principles.
• Though it declined in its land of origin, it continues to influence millions worldwide.