BUDDHISM

INTRODUCTION 
Buddhism originated in ancient India around the 6th–5th century BCE as a Sramana tradition. It was founded by Siddhartha Gautama, later known as the Buddha (the Enlightened One). After the Mahaparinirvana of the Buddha around 483 BCE, his teachings were systematised by his disciples, leading to the formation of Buddhism as an organised spiritual tradition.

Under the Mauryan emperor Ashoka in the 3rd century BCE, Buddhism received state patronage, leading to the construction of stupas, monasteries and large-scale missionary activities. Over time, Buddhism spread to Sri Lanka, Central Asia, Southeast Asia, East Asia and Tibet. Though it declined in India during the medieval period due to invasions and socio-religious changes, it continued to flourish across Asia.

Today, Buddhism is the world’s fourth-largest religion with more than 520 million followers.

CORE FEATURES OF BUDDHISM
• Founded by Siddhartha Gautama (5th century BCE)
• Non-theistic religion – no belief in a creator god
• Emphasis on enlightenment (Nirvana)
• Middle Path between self-indulgence and self-mortification
• Stresses morality, meditation and wisdom
• Focus on compassion, non-violence and ethical living
• Often regarded as a “way of life” rather than an organised religion

BELIEFS
• Karma – Law of cause and effect
• Samsara – Cycle of birth and rebirth
• Nirvana – Liberation from suffering and rebirth
• Impermanence (Anicca)
• Non-self (Anatta)
• Suffering (Dukkha)

FIVE MORAL PRECEPTS (Pancha Sila)
• Do not kill living beings
• Do not steal
• Do not indulge in sexual misconduct
• Do not lie
• Do not consume intoxicants

FOUR NOBLE TRUTHS
• Dukkha – Existence is suffering
• Samudaya – Desire is the cause of suffering
• Nirodha – Suffering can be ended
• Magga – The path leading to the end of suffering

EIGHTFOLD PATH (Ashtangika Marga)
Wisdom:
• Right understanding
• Right intention

Ethical Conduct:
• Right speech
• Right action
• Right livelihood

Mental Discipline:
• Right effort
• Right mindfulness
• Right concentration

THREE PITAKAS (Tripitaka)
Vinaya Pitaka:
• Rules and discipline for monks and nuns

Sutta Pitaka:
• Teachings of Buddha
• Five Nikayas – Digha, Majjhima, Samyutta, Anguttara, Khuddaka

Abhidhamma Pitaka:
• Philosophical and psychological analysis of teachings

Other texts:
• Divyavadana
• Dipavamsa
• Mahavamsa
• Milinda Panha

BUDDHIST COUNCILS
First Council (483 BCE):
• Rajgriha, patron – Ajatashatru
• President – Mahakasyapa
• Compilation of Sutta and Vinaya Pitaka

Second Council (383 BCE):
• Vaishali, patron – Kalasoka
• Issue – use of money by monks
• Split into Sthaviravadins and Mahasanghikas

Third Council (250 BCE):
• Pataliputra, patron – Ashoka
• President – Moggaliputta Tissa
• Compilation of Abhidhamma Pitaka
• Text – Kathavatthu

Fourth Council (72 CE):
• Kundalvana, Kashmir
• Patron – Kanishka
• Division into Mahayana and Hinayana

Fifth Council – 1871 (Myanmar)
Sixth Council – 1954 (Myanmar)

TYPES OF BUDDHISM
Theravada:
• Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia
• Emphasis on Arhat ideal
• Pali Canon

Mahayana:
• China, Korea, Japan, Vietnam
• Bodhisattva ideal
• Additional Mahayana sutras

Tibetan (Vajrayana):
• Tibet, Bhutan, Nepal, Mongolia
• Tantric practices
• Mantras and rituals

DIFFERENCE: THERAVADA VS MAHAYANA
• Ideal – Arhat vs Bodhisattva
• Texts – Pali Canon vs Mahayana Sutras
• Path – Individual liberation vs universal liberation
• Buddha – Human teacher vs transcendental figure

FOUR VIRTUES OF A BODHISATTVA
• Maitri – Loving kindness
• Karuna – Compassion
• Mudita – Sympathetic joy
• Upeksha – Equanimity

PROMINENT BODHISATTVAS
• Avalokiteshvara (Compassion)
• Manjusri (Wisdom)
• Samantabhadra (Aspiration)
• Ksitigarbha (Merit)
• Maitreya (Future Buddha)
• Vajrapani (Power)

PHILOSOPHICAL SCHOOLS
• Vaibhashika – Atomistic realism
• Sautrantika – Emphasis on sutras
• Cittamatra – Mind-only doctrine
• Madhyamaka – Doctrine of emptiness

Ancient Schools:
• Sammatīya / Pudgalavada
• Mahasanghika
• Jo Jitsu (Japan)

LIFE OF BUDDHA – IMPORTANT PLACES
• Lumbini – Birthplace
• Kapilavastu – Childhood
• Bodh Gaya – Enlightenment
• Sarnath – First sermon (Dhammachakra Pravartana)
• Rajgir – Association with Bimbisara
• Vaishali – Announcement of Mahaparinirvana
• Shravasti – Maximum monastic residence
• Kushinagar – Mahaparinirvana
• Nalanda – Centre of Buddhist learning

UNESCO SITES RELATED TO BUDDHISM
• Mahabodhi Temple, Bodh Gaya
• Nalanda Mahavihara, Bihar
• Sanchi Stupa, MP
• Ajanta Caves, Maharashtra

RELEVANCE OF BUDDHISM TODAY
• Influence on Indian democracy and ethics
• Dharma Chakra in Parliament
• Liberty, equality, fraternity echo Buddhist ideals
• B.R. Ambedkar viewed Buddhism as social revolution

Buddha’s message remains relevant for peace, compassion, tolerance and coexistence.

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