Ancient History - BUDDHISM - Prepare IAS
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Ancient History BUDDHISM www.prepareias.com Page Number 1
Table of Content
Contents
04 What led to the origin?
1 05 Teachings of Buddha
C
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05 Features of Buddhism
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06 Spread of Buddhism p
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06 Sects of Buddhism r
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08 Buddhist literature
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09 Buddhist council e
1 09 Influence of Buddhism
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11 Buddhists Architecture
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12 Buddhists Universities
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r
m
a
www.prepareias.com Page Number 2
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Buddhism
Among various religion sects, Buddhism emerged a prominent one. While many religion sects were based on regional
Customs, Buddhism emerged to be a universal one.
What led to the origin?
❖ In post –Vedic times society was clearly divided into 4 varnas.
Highest status
Brahman
Priest and Teacher
Privileges such as receiving gifts and exemption from taxation and punishments
Ranked 2nd in the hierarchy
Kshatriya
Warrior
Lived on taxes collected from peasants
Vaishya Engaged in agriculture, cattle rearing and trade
Were the principal tax payers
Shudra Were meant for the serving the above mentioned Varnas
Along with women were barred taking Vedic Shlokas
❖ Kshatriyas reacted strongly against ritualistic domination of Brahmans.
❖ Spread of new agricultural economy in north eastern India is one of the most important reason for the spread of
Buddhism.
❖ Usage of iron tools made possible clearance of forest, agricultural and large-scale settlements in the Gangetic
plains.
❖ The iron ploughshare required bullocks for agriculture, but the Vedic practice of sacrifice was a hindrance.
❖ Rise of large number of cities, usage of punch marked coins naturally facilitated trade and commerce, which added
to the importance of Vaishya.
❖ The new life style with luxury, property, war and violence was not liked by common people and they wanted to go
back to primitive times.
Gautama Buddha:
❖ Gautama’s father was the elected ruler of kapilavastu. Real Name Siddhartha
❖ His mother was a lichchhavi princess from koshalan Dynasty. Father Suddhodhona
❖ Out of his palace he saw an old man, sick man, a Corpse
Mother Mahamaya
and a sage.
❖ He was moved by the misery which people suffered in the world Wife Yashodhara
and looked for its solution. Son Rahula
❖ At the age of 19, he left home to get some answers this
Born 563 BC
event is known as Mahabhishishkramana (Great going forth
/ Renunciation). Birth Place Lumbini gardens
❖ After long years wandering, at the age of 35 he attained Death Place Kushinagar
Nirvana (Enlightenment) under a Pipal tree at both Gaya,
www.prepareias.com Page Number 3took a bath in Niranjana River.
❖ He delivered his 1st sermon at Sarnath in Banaras.
This event is known as Dharmachakrapravartna.
Teachings of Buddha:
❖ He was a practical reformer, who took note of the realities of the
day.
❖ He focused on the worldly problems. Nirvana →
❖ He said “World is full of sorrow and people suffer on
Buddha described nirvana as the
Account of desires” If desires are conquered, nirvana
highest state of profound well-being a
Will be attained i.e. man will be freeform cycle of birth and death. human is capable of attaining. The mind
❖ He talks about 4 noble-truth (Arya Satyas)
awakens from delusion, is liberated from
Sabbam Dakkam World is full of sorrow. bondage, is cleansed of all its defilement,
Dwadash Nidan Cause of sorrow is desire. becomes entirely at peace, experiences
Nirvana If desires are conquered, all the complete cessation of suffering, and
sorrows can be removed. is no longer reborn.
Ashtangi Marga This can be achieved by
following 8-fold path.
Right Concentration Right Understanding
Right Thought
Right Mindfulness Ashtangi Marga Right Speech
Right Action
Right Effort Right means of livelihood
❖ Buddha taught that a person should follow middle path (Madhya marga / Madhyama pratipada).
❖ Buddha also laid down a code of conduct for his followers.
1. Do not covet the property of others Triratnas (3 Jewels)
2. Do not commit violence Buddha – Enlightened
3. Do not use intoxicants Dhamma – Doctrine
4. Do not speak a lie Sangha – Monastic order
5. Do not indulge in corrupt practices
Features of Buddhism:
❖ Believed in nirvana also known as moksha/salvation.
❖ Buddha did not mention or talk about existence of good or atman(soul).
❖ Advocated equality, non-violence (ahimsa).
❖ Promoted trade and capitalism.
❖ Advocated frugality (saving food).
❖ Jobs involving any form of killing were forbidden.
www.prepareias.com Page Number 4Spread of Buddhism:
❖ The eastern region around Magadha become the nerve centre for Buddhism.
❖ People of Magadha responded readily to Buddhism because they were looked down upon by orthodox Brahmans.
❖ Personality of Buddha and methods adopted by him such as he tried to fight evil by goodness and hatred by love,
helped the spread of Buddhism.
❖ The use of “Pali language” largely contributed to the spread of Buddhism since it was the common language of
people.
❖ Gautama Buddha organized “Sangha” which was the most accelerating component in the spread of Buddhism.
❖ The religion started to be adopted by many monarchies at that time such as Magadha, koshala, and other republican
states.
❖ Even after the death of Buddha, later patrons such as Ashoka, Kanishka, Kumaragupta –I, Dharmabala, Ramapal,
Gopala were prominent personalities in patronizing Buddhism.
Sanghas:
lay worshippers (Upasakas)
❖ The Buddha had two kinds of disciples
monks (Bhikkus or Shramanas).
❖ The latter were organized into the Sangha or congregation.
❖ The membership of the Sangha was open to all, male and female above twenty years of age and who were
free from leprosy and other infections diseases.
❖ However, slaves, soldiers and debtors were not allowed to enter the Sangha without the permission of their
superior.
❖ As they lived on alms, they were known as bhikkhus.
❖ Sangha was an organization of monks who later on also became teachers of dhamma. The rules of Buddhist
sangha were contained in Vinaya Pitaka.
❖ Initially, only men were allowed into the sangha, but later women also came to be admitted.
❖ According to Buddhist texts, this was made possible through the mediation of Ananda.
❖ one of the Buddha’s dearest disciples, who persuaded him to allow women into the sangha. The Buddha‘s fosterm
other, Mahapajapati Gotami was the first woman to be ordained as a bhikkhuni.
❖ Many women who entered the sangha became teachers of dhamma and went on to be respected one who had
attained liberation.
❖ All members of sangha were regarded as equal, having shed their earlier social identities on becoming bhikkhus
and bhikkhunis.
❖ The Buddha‘s followers came from many social groups. They included kings wealthy men.
❖ The internal functioning of the sangha was based on the traditions of ganas and sanghas, where consensus was
arrived at through discussions. If that failed, decisions were taken by a vote on the subject.
Sects of Buddhism:
❖ Most scholars now believe that the first schism was originally caused by differences in vinaya (monastic rule).
Later splits were also due to doctrinal differences and geographical separation.
❖ The first schism separated the community into two groups, the Sthavira (Elders) Nikaya and the Mahasamghika
(Great Community).
❖ Most scholars hold that this probably occurred after the time of Ashoka. Out of these two main groups later
arose many other sects or schools.
❖ From the Sthaviras arose the Sarvastivada sects, the Vibhajyavadins, the Theravadins, the Dharmaguptakas
and the Pudgalavada sects.
❖ The Sarvastivada school, popular in northwest India and Kashmir, focused on Abhidharma teachings.
❖ Over time, the Sarvastivadins became divided into various traditions, mainly the Vaibhasika (who defended
www.prepareias.com Page Number 5the orthodox "all exists” doctrine in their Abhidharma compendium called the Mahavibhasa Sastra), the
Sautrantika (who rejected the Vaibhaṣika orthodoxy) and the Mulasarvastivada.
❖ The Pudgalavada sects (also known as Vatsiputriyas) were another group of Sthaviras which were known
for their unique doctrine of the pudgala (person). Their tradition was founded by the elder Vatsiputra 3rd century BCE.
❖ The Vibhajyavadins were conservative Sthaviras who did not accept the doctrines of either the Sarvastivada or
the Pudgalavada.
❖ Another sect which arose from the Vibhajyavadins were the Dharmaguptakas. This school was influential in
spreading Buddhism to Central Asia and to China. Their Vinaya is still used in East Asian Buddhism.
❖ Mahasaṃghikas also split into various sub groups.
❖ One of these were the Lokottaravadins (Transcendentalists), so called because of their doctrine which saw
every action of the Buddha, even mundane ones like eating, as being of a supramundane and transcendental nature.
❖ Another sub-sect which emerged from the Mahasanghika was called the Caitika. They were concentrated in Andhra
Pradesh and in South India.
❖ Another Mahasamghika sect was named Prajnaptivada. They were known for the doctrine that viewed all conditioned
phenomena as being mere concepts.
1. Mahayana Buddhism:
❖ The recorded starting point for Mahayana, also known as the 'Great Vehicle' is the 2nd century CE.
❖ Great emphasis was placed equally on the doctrines of compassion (Karuna) and Insight (Prajna).
❖ Mahayana Buddhism generally sees the goal of becoming a Buddha through the bodhisattva path as being
available to all and sees the state of the arhat as incomplete.
❖ It was very popular and influential.
❖ Some influential Mahayana sutras are the Prajnaparamita sutras such as the Astasahasrika Prajnaparamita
Sutra, the Lotus Sutra, the Pure Land sutras, the Vimalakirti Sutra, the Golden Light Sutra, the Avatamsaka
Sutra, the Sandhinirmocana Sutra and the Tathagatagarbha sutras.
❖ Trikaya or three-wheel bodies → Dharmakaya (the enlightenment or truth body), the Sambhogakaya (the bliss or
clear light body), and the Nirmanakaya, (the form body manifesting in time and space).
❖ Madhyamika is an important school in the Mahayana (“Great Vehicle”) Buddhist tradition.
❖ Popular in China and Japan.
❖ The progress of Mahayana Buddhism led to the composition of numerous Avadanas.
❖ Most of these texts were composed in what is known as the Buddhist-Hybrid Sanskrit.
❖ Their one objective was to preach the teachings of Mahayana Buddhism to the people.
❖ Some of the important books of this genre were the Mahavastu and Divyananda.
2. Hinayana Buddhism:
❖ Hinayana is a Sanskrit term literally meaning the "small/deficient vehicle".
❖ It is most likely that the term Hinayana postdates the term Mahayana and was only added at a later date due to
antagonism and conflict between the Bodhisattva and Sravaka ideals.
❖ The concept of the bodhisattva as one who puts off enlightenment rather than reaching awakening as soon as
possible, has no roots in Theravada textual or cultural contexts.
❖ Theravada school does not claim the existence of independent dharma’s; in this it maintains the attitude of early
Buddhism.
❖ Popular in Sri-Lanka, Burma, Thailand and South-East Asia.
3. Vajrayana Buddhism:
❖ Vajrayana is a form of Buddhism probably originated from the Mahayana tradition. It is based on a complex
philosophical and ritual system meant to provide a path towards enlightenment.
❖ The term Vajrayana roughly means ''the way of the diamond''.
www.prepareias.com Page Number 6❖ The word Vajra refers to the diamond-hard thunderbolt that was used as a weapon by the Hindu god of thunder
and rain, Indra.
❖ Yana refers to the way or the spiritual vehicle for achieving enlightenment.
❖ Vajrayana Buddhism developed in India around the 6th or 7th century CE.
❖ By the 7th century CE, the Buddhist monasteries had come to be dominated by ease-loving people and became
centre of corrupt practices which had been prohibited by Gautama Buddha.
❖ Tantric ideas began to be incorporated into the teachings of Buddhist universities in Northern India, gradually leading
to the development of this new tradition.
❖ Vajrayana Buddhism is full of symbolism and rites, mostly focused on the search for enlightenment.
❖ The rites are often meditation that includes tantric practices, combining the physical and spiritual worlds.
Buddhist literature:
I. The 3 most prominent texts of Buddhism are
Sutta Pitaka
Tripitakas Vinaya Pitaka
Abhidhamma Pitaka
II. All these texts are in “Pali” language.
1. Sutta Pitaka:
❖ Buddha’s teachings and sermons were included in the Sutta Pitaka.
❖ Sutta Pitaka is grouped into five nikayas or collections:
❖ Digha Nikaya: The "Long" Discourses.
❖ Majjhima Nikaya: The "Middle-length" Discourses.
❖ Samyutta Nikaya: The "Grouped" Discourses.
❖ Anguttara Nikaya: The " Further-factored" Discourses consists of several thousand short suttas, grouped
together into eleven Nipatas according to the number of items of Dhamma covered in each sutta. It also consists
of a list of 16 Mahajanapadas.
❖ Khuddaka Nikaya: The "Division of Short Books".
2. Vinaya Pitaka:
❖ It includes rules and regulations for those who joined the Sangha or monastic order.
❖ It includes not only the rules governing the life of every Theravada bhikkhu (monk) and bhikkhuni (nun), but also a
host of procedures that support harmonious relations, both among the monastics themselves, and between the
monastics and their lay supporters.
❖ It consists of 3parts:
1) Suttavibhanga — The basic rules of conduct (Patimokkha) for bhikkhus and bhikkhunis, along with the
"origin story" for each one.
• Mahavibhanga: rules for monks.
• Bhikkhunivibhanga: rules for nuns.
2) Khandhaka — 22 chapters on various topics
• Mahavagga: includes accounts of Gautama Buddha's and the ten principal disciples' awakenings, as well as
rules for uposatha days and monastic ordination.
• Cullavagga: includes accounts of the First and Second Buddhist councils and the establishment of the
community of bhikkhunis, as well as rules for addressing offenses within the sangha (monastic community).
www.prepareias.com Page Number 73) A recapitulation of the previous sections, with summaries of the rules classified and re-classified
in various ways for instructional purposes.
3. Abhidhamma Pitaka:
❖ Abhidhamma Pitaka dealt with philosophical matters.
❖ The Abhidhamma Pitaka is divided into seven books the seven books are:
➢ Dhammasangani ("Enumeration of Phenomena").
➢ Vibhanga ("The Book of Treatises")
➢ Dhatukatha ("Discussion with Reference to the Elements")
➢ Puggalapannatti ("Description of Individuals")
➢ Kathavatthu ("Points of Controversy")
➢ Yamaka ("The Book of Pairs")
➢ Patthana ("The Book of Relations")
Buddhist council:
ROYAL
S.NO VENEUE CHAIRMAN DEVELOPMENT
PATRON
1ST Buddhist Rajgriha Ajatshatru Mahakasappa 1.Compilation of sutta
council (483 BC) pitaka – Ananda Vinaya
pitaka – Upali.
2. Recitation of
Abhidhamma pitaka.
2nd Buddhist Vaishali Kalashoka Sabakami 1.To settle a serious
council (383 BCE) (Sisunaga) dispute over vinaya
(monastic disciple).
2. Finally order broke in
to
Stavirvadhin
mahasanghika
3rd Buddhist Pataliputra Ashoka Mogaliputta tissa 1. To reconcile different
council (250 BCE) (maurya) schools of buddhism.
2. Vibhajavada (religion
of analytical reasoning)
was declared only form
of true Buddhism.
3. Abhidhamma pitaka
was finally compiled.
4th Buddhist Kundalwan Kanishka Vasumitra 1. Commentaries on
Council (72 AD) (Kashmir) (Kushan) Ashwaghosa each Pitaka.
2. Division of Buddhism
into
Mahayana
Hinayana
www.prepareias.com Page Number 8Avalokitesvara:
Bodhisattva: The most popular of all Mahayana
❖ The emergence of Bodhisattva is central to Mahayana Bodhisattvas. The most compassionate
sect of Buddhism, which emerged during the fourth savior of the universe. Compassion-
council of Buddhism held in 1st century A.D at incarnate concerned with every bit of
Kashmir during the reign of Kanishka. sufferings of all beings in their everyday life
Manjusri:
❖ Bodhisattva was thought of in the schools of the Great The Bodhisattva of wisdom and
Vehicle or Mahayana not as a being who was soon enlightenment. Interlocutor on the questions
to become a Buddha, but as one who would bide his regarding ultimate truth
time until even the smallest insect had reached the Tara or Shayama Tara:
highest goal. She appears as a female bodhisattva in
Mahayana Buddhism, and as a female
❖ The old ideal (in Hinayana Buddhism) of the Arhant, the Buddha in Vajrayana Buddhism
"Worthy", who achieved Nirvana and would be reborn no Kṣitigarbha:
more, began to be looked on as rather selfish. Bodhisattva in Indo-Tibetan Buddhism.
Kṣitigarbha saves the sentient beings
❖ Instead of striving to become Arhant, men should aim at during the period between the death of
becoming Bodhisattvas, and by the spiritual merit which Sakyamuni Buddha and the future advent of
they gained assist all living things on the way to perfection. Maitreya Buddha.
Maitreya: The future Buddha.
❖ According to the Lesser Vehicle or Hinayana Buddhism a Maitreya is the only Bodhisattva accepted
man can only help another on the way by example and by both Mahayana and non-Mahayana
advice. Each being must be a lamp unto himself, and work
traditions. Other prominent Bodhisattvas
out his own salvation.
mentioned in the Buddhist Sanskrit
❖ Thus, Bodhisattva is an ideal, an aspirant of Buddhahood literature are Samantabhadra, Amitabha,
(buddhatva) who works for enlightenment of all Vajrapani
sentient beings in contrast to that of one’s own emancipation
of the Arhant.
Decline Buddha:
❖ By early 12th century AD Buddhism become practically extinct India.
❖ Become victim to the evils of Brahmanism (reformed religion).
❖ Buddhist monks gave up pali and took Sanskrit language thus breaking the connectivity with common people.
❖ Rise of bhagvatism during later phase.
❖ Introduction of ritual, ceremonies, idol worship, offerings from devotees.
❖ Division into various sects especially formation of vajrayana.
❖ Ruler persecuted Buddhists, such as Pushyamitra Sunga and Huna King Mihirakula killed many Buddhist people.
❖ Monastries were invaded by Turkish rulers.
Influence of Buddhism:
❖ Promotion of trade and commerce at the same time advocated not to accumulate wealth.
❖ The monastic rulers (Vinaya) made the lifestyle back to primitive.
❖ Improvement in the conditions of women and shudras.
❖ Doctrine of ahimsa and sanctity of animal life.
❖ To a certain extent the place of superstition was taken by logic.
❖ Buddhist monasteries developed as great centres of learning.
❖ Spread of Indian culture to other parts of Asia.
❖ Creation of hybrid Sanskrit by combining Pali with Sanskrit.
❖ Emergence of Gandhara art in later phase.
www.prepareias.com Page Number 9Some Buddhists works:
1. Milinda panho
2. Dipavamsa Srilanka Chronicles
▪ Anthology of poems in Pali language
3. Terigatha
▪ By and about the 1st Buddhist women
4. Ashoka vadana Buddhist text related to Ashoka
5. Mahavamsa Greater chronicles
6. Culavamsa Lesser chronicles
7. Jataka tales
Buddhists Architecture:
▪ 1st human statue to be worshipped.
▪ Cave architecture in barabar hills in Gaya.
▪ Art pieces in Amaravati and Nagarjunakonda.
▪ Gandhara Art, Mathura school.
▪ Ajanta and Ellora cave paintings.
▪ Chaitya, Vihara and Stupa.
Buddhists Universities:
University Location Foundar
Nalanda Bihar Kumaragupta - I
Vikramashila Bihar Dharmapala
Somapura North Bengal Dharmapala
Odantapura Bihar Dharmapala
Jagadalla Bengal Ramapala
Odantapura is 2nd oldest Mahavihara after Nalanda.
www.prepareias.com Page Number 10Question:
1. Who among the following presided over the Buddhist Council held during the reign of Kanishka at Kashmir?
(a) Parsva (b) Nagarjuna
(c) Sudraka (d) Vasumitra
2. Which one of the following describes best the concept of Nirvana in Buddhism?
(a) The extinction of flame of desire (b) The complete annihilation of self
(c) A state of bliss and rest (d) A mental stage beyond all comprehension
3. Which of the following Kingdoms were associated with the life of the buddha?
(1) Avanti (2) Gandhara
(3) Kosala (4) Magadha
select the correct answer using the code given below
(a) 1,2 and 3 (b) 2 and 4
(c) 3 and 4 (d) 1,3 and 4
4. With reference to the religious history of India, Consider the following statements?
(1) The concept of Bodhisattva is central to Hinayana sect of Buddhism
(2) Bodhisattva is a compassionate one on his way to Enlightenment
(3) Bodhisattva delays achieving his own salvation to help all sentient beings on their path to it
Which of the following statements is/are correct?
(a) 1only (b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 2only (d) 1,2 and 3
5. With reference to the religious history of India, Consider the following statements
(1) Sautrantika and Sammitiya were the sects of Jainism
(2) Sarvastivadin held that the constituents of phenomena were not wholly momentary, but existed forever in a
latent form
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1only (b) 2only
(c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2
6. With reference to Indian history, who among the following is a future buddha, yet to come to save the world?
(a) Avalokiteshvara (b) Lokeshvara
(c) Maitreya (d) Padampani
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