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ORIGIN:
• In the post vedic times the condition of the shudras further deteriorated. The shudras were meant for serving the higher three varnas, and along with the women were barred from taking to vedic studies. Shudras were called cruel, greedy and thieving in habits, and some of them were treated as untouchables.
• The Kshatriya reaction against the domination of priestly class was one of the causes of origin of new religions.
• Vardhamana Mahavira and Gautam Buddha belonged to the Kshatriya clan and both disputed the authority of the Brahmanas.
• The spread of a new agricultural economy in north-eastern India is said to be the real cause of the rise of new religions. The agricultural economy based on iron ploughshare required the use of bullocks, and it could not flourish without animal husbandry. But the vedic practice of killing cattle indiscriminately in sacrifices stood in the way of progress of agriculture. Now if the ‘new agrarian economy’ had to be stable, this killing had to be stopped.
• Vaishyas were the third in the varna hierarchy, so naturally they looked for some religion which would improve their position.
• Newer doctrines started propagating the idea of Moksha as the main aim of life in place of materialistic religion of the Vedas. This led to the religious transformation of the whole area and as many as 62 heterodox sects rose to the occasion.
• Some of the important sects were Buddhism, Jainism, Ajivika and Charvaka.
BUDDHISM:
1. Life of Buddha:
• Siddhartha was born in 563 BC in a Shakya Kshatriya family in Lumbini near Kapilavastu (Nepal).
• His father’s name was Shuddhodhana who was the chief of the Shakya clan.
• His mother’s name was Mahamaya or Mayadevi who was a princess of Koshalan dynasty. She died after seven days of his birth.
• He belonged to Shakya clan, hence called Shakya Muni.
• He was raised by his foster mother Gautami Prajapati. Hence, he was known as Gautama also.
• He was married to Yashodhara and Rahul was born to them.
• Despite having all luxuries at his command, Siddhartha did not keep happy. He was in search of complete bliss.
• Once, while travelling he witnessed four events viz. an old man, a sick man, a dead body and an ascetic which helped him taking the path of asceticism as the ascetic appeared to him the happier one.
• At the age of 29, he left his home on his horse Kantaka.
• He wandered in the region of Magadha for six years and practiced meditation during this time. He learned meditation from Alara Kalma.
• He got Enlightenment at the age of 35 at Bodh Gaya under a pipal tree on the bank of river Niranjana. Hence, he was called Buddha—one who has got Enlightenment.
• He delivered his first sermon to his five disciples at Deer Park in Sarnath. This is known as ‘setting in motion the wheel of law’.
• The five disciples were Assaji, Mogallana, Upali, Sanputta and Ananda.
• Most of the sermons were given at Shravasti.
• Four important events in the life of Buddha were Mahabhinishkraman, Nirvana, Chakra Pravarthan and Mahaparinirvana.
• He passed away at the age of 80 in 483 BC at Kusinagar. He died of food poisoning after eating pork at the house of Chunda.
• After cremation, the ashes of Buddha were distributed among eight tribes. These ashes were kept in caskets and stupas were built over them e.g. Sanchi stupa.
• Last words of Buddha were “All composite things decay so strive diligently to work out your salvation”.
2. Teachings of Buddhism:
• The fundamental principles of Buddha’s teachings are represented by the Four Noble Truths (arya-satyas)
• According to Buddha, root of all human misery was ‘desire’ and its annihilation was the surest way of ending unhappiness.
• One could get out of this chain of suffering and achieve the final salvation (nirvana) by following the Eight Fold Path (Ashtangika Marga).
• Buddha summarised the whole process in three words viz. Sila (right conduct), Samadhi (right concentration) and Prajna (right knowledge).
• Buddha advocated “The Middle Path” in which extremes are avoided.
• He rejected varna system and caste restrictions.
• Initially, he did not allow ‘women’ in Sangha but agreed later, on the advice of his chief disciple Ananda. His foster mother became the first woman to join Sangha.
• The followers of Buddha fell into two categories viz. the upasakas (lay followers) and the bhikshus (monks).
• Buddha was agnostic and non-commital to existence of god.
• The followers of Buddhism enjoyed equal rights irrespective of their varna and jati.
• Three vows of Buddhism are Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha.
1. Buddhist Literature:
• It is also called Pali literature.
• Sutta Pitaka, Vinay Pitaka and Abhidhamma Pitaka are known as the tripitakas of Buddhism.
• Tripitakas are the most important holy books of Buddhism.
• Sutta Pitaka consists of sermons and teachings of Buddha.
• Vinay Pitaka is the collection of the rules governing the sangha and monks.
• Abhidhamma Pitaka deals with the philosophy of Buddhism.
• A small part of Sutta Pitaka is Jataka Stories. There are 550 stories related to the birth of Buddha which are meant to give moral teachings to the people.
• Dipavamsa and Mahavamsa are known as Ceylonese books. Ashoka sent his daughter and son to propagate Buddhism in Sri Lanka (Ceylon) where these books were compiled.
• Milindapanho is also an important book related to Buddhism. It is a collection of discussions between Indo-Greek king Menander (Milinda) and Monk Nagasena. Milinda posed several questions to Nagasena about Buddhism.
• Buddha Charita, a book written in Sanskrit is the biography of Buddha compiled by Ashvaghosh.
1. Sects of Buddhism:
• There are three sects of Buddhism viz. Hinayana, Mahayana and Vajrayana.
(i) Hinayana (lesser vehicle): It was an orthodox group. The teachings of Buddha shall be obeyed strictly. Hinayana emphasised individual salvation. They worshipped Buddha through symbols. No idol worship was allowed. This sect was mainly popular in Magadha, Sri Lanka and Burma.
(ii) Mahayana (greater vehicle): It was a sect with broader outlook. It followed the spirit of teachings of Buddha. They emphasised group salvation. They believed in semi-divine identity called Bodhisattva. They started worshipping Buddha through idols. They wrote scriptures in Sanskrit called Vaipulyasutras. Kanishka was the patron of Mahayana sect of Buddhism.
(iii) Vajrayana (vehicle of thunderbolt): It believed in super human powers. They had faith in miracles and tantra. It became popular in eastern India by 10th century AD. Palas patronised the Vajrayana sect of Buddhism.
1. Buddhist Architecture:
• Stupa: It is a semi-domical structure. Ashoka constructed the most important stupa at Sanchi in MP.
• Chaityas: These are Buddhist temples constructed in caves e.g. chaityas at Karle near Nasik.
• Viharas: These are the buildings constructed for the residence of monks. The first Vihara was erected by Kumaragupta-I at Nalanda which was called Nalanda Mahavihara.
Buddhist Councils:
1st Buddhist Council:
- Time: 483 BC (immediately after Buddha’s death)
- Place: Rajagriha (Rajgir)
- King: Ajatashatru
- President: Mahakassapa
- Key Person: Ananda, Upali
Purpose & Outcome:
- To compile Buddha’s teachings
- Sutta Pitaka (teachings) recited by Ananda
- Vinaya Pitaka (rules) recited by Upali
2nd Buddhist Council:
- Time: 383 BC (after 100 years)
- Place: Vaishali
- King: Kalasoka
Purpose & Outcome:
- To settle disputes on monastic discipline
- Division of Buddhism into:
- Sthaviravada (Orthodox)
- Mahasanghika (Liberal)
3rd Buddhist Council:
- Time: 250 BC
- Place: Pataliputra
- King: Ashoka
- President: Moggaliputta Tissa
Purpose & Outcome:
- To purify Buddhism from corrupt practices
- Compilation of Abhidhamma Pitaka
- Spread of Buddhism to other countries (Sri Lanka, etc.)
4th Buddhist Council:
There are two versions (important for exams)
(A) Sri Lanka Version:
- Time: 1st century BC
- Place: Alu Vihara (Sri Lanka)
- King: Vattagamani Abhaya
Outcome:
- Tripitakas were written down in Pali language
(B) Kashmir Version
- Time: 1st century AD
- Place: Kashmir (Kundalvana)
- King: Kanishka
- President: Vasumitra
Outcome:
- Compilation of commentaries
- Growth of Mahayana Buddhism
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