Buddhism
Master the rise of Buddhism (c. 6th century BC). Explore the life of Gautama Buddha, core doctrines (Four Noble Truths, Eightfold Path), Tripitakas, the four Buddhist Councils, and sectarian divisions (Hinayana, Mahayana, Vajrayana).
1. Life of Gautama Buddha
Siddhartha Gautama, later known as the **Buddha** (the Enlightened One), was born in the Shakya Kshatriya clan. Five major events in his life are represented by specific Buddhist symbols, which are heavily tested in exams:
| Event Name |
Vedic/Buddhist Term |
Representative Symbol |
| Birth |
Janma |
Lotus and Bull |
| Renunciation |
Mahabhinishkramana |
Horse (Kanthaka) |
| Enlightenment |
Nirvana / Sambodhi |
Bodhi Tree (Peepal tree) |
| First Sermon |
Dharmachakrapravartana |
Wheel (Dharma Chakra) |
| Death |
Mahaparinirvana |
Stupa or Footprints |
After leaving home, Siddhartha studied under two teachers: **Alara Kalama** (Upanishadic philosophy of Sankhya) and **Udraka Ramaputta**. After years of asceticism, he realized extreme self-mortification was useless and chose the **Middle Path (Madhyama Pratipada)**.
2. Core Philosophical Doctrines
The core of Buddhist teachings centers on the **Four Noble Truths (Arya Satya)**:
- Sabbam Dukkham: Life is full of sorrow/suffering (Dukkha).
- Dukkha Samudaya: Desire (Tanha) is the root cause of suffering.
- Dukkha Nirodha: Suffering can be ended by eliminating desire.
- Dukkha Nirodha Gamini Patipada: The path to end suffering is the **Eightfold Path (Ashtangika Marga)**.
The **Eightfold Path** is categorized into three pillars: **Pragna** (Wisdom), **Sheela** (Conduct), and **Samadhi** (Meditation).
Other vital philosophical concepts include **Pratityasamutpada** (Dependent Origination - that everything arises in dependence upon multiple causes) and **Anatta** (there is no permanent soul or self).
3. Buddhist Canonical Literature
The primary canon is the **Tripitaka** (Three Baskets), compiled over time in Pali:
- Sutta Pitaka: Divided into five Nikayas (Digha, Majjhima, Samyutta, Anguttara, Khuddaka). Contains the core sermons of Buddha. *Anguttara Nikaya* is famous for listing the 16 Mahajanapadas.
- Vinaya Pitaka: Contains the rules and code of conduct for monks and nuns in the Sangha. Includes the *Pratimoksha* (disciplinary code).
- Abhidhamma Pitaka: Deals with the philosophical and psychological analysis of Buddhist doctrines. Includes the *Kathavatthu* written by Moggaliputta Tissa.
Non-Canonical literature includes the **Milinda Panha** (Questions of King Menander to sage Nagasena), **Jataka Tales** (stories of Buddha's previous births), and the Sanskrit texts **Buddhacharita** (by Asvaghosa, the first biography of Buddha), **Lalitavistara**, and **Divyavadana**.
4. The Four Buddhist Councils
Following the Buddha's death, four major councils were held to resolve sectarian disputes, preserve teachings, and compile the canon:
| Council |
Year & Venue |
Patron King |
President & Key Outcomes |
| First |
c. 483 BC
Rajgriha (Saptaparni Cave) |
Ajatashatru
(Haryanka Dynasty) |
Mahakassapa
Sutta Pitaka (compiled by Ananda) and Vinaya Pitaka (compiled by Upali) were recorded. |
| Second |
c. 383 BC
Vaishali |
Kalasoka
(Shishunaga Dynasty) |
Sabbakami
First split in the Sangha occurred between Sthaviravadins (orthodox) and Mahasanghikas (reformers). |
| Third |
c. 250 BC
Pataliputra |
Ashoka
(Mauryan Dynasty) |
Moggaliputta Tissa
Philosophical differences were settled, Abhidhamma Pitaka compiled, and missionaries sent abroad. |
| Fourth |
c. 72 AD
Kundalavana (Kashmir) |
Kanishka
(Kushan Dynasty) |
Vasumitra (VP: Asvaghosa)
Sangha split formally into Hinayana (Lesser Vehicle) and Mahayana (Greater Vehicle). Texts compiled in Sanskrit. |
5. Major Sects & Decline of Buddhism
Over time, Buddhism split into distinct schools:
- Hinayana (Theravada): Orthodox sect. Believes in individual salvation through self-effort. Rejects idol worship and views Buddha as a guide. Uses Pali scriptures. Prevalent in Sri Lanka, Myanmar, and Thailand.
- Mahayana: Liberal sect. Deifies Buddha and worships his idols. Believes in **Bodhisattvas** (compassionate beings who delay their own Nirvana to help others). Uses Sanskrit. Prevalent in China, Japan, Korea, and Tibet.
- Vajrayana (Tantric): Emerged around the 8th century AD. Focuses on magical spells, mantras, and rituals. Prevalent in Tibet and Mongolia.
Decline of Buddhism in India: Caused by internal corruption in the Sangha, adoption of Sanskrit over Pali, rise of Tantric Vajrayana (bringing back superstitions), revival of Brahmanical Hinduism (via Adi Shankara and incorporating Buddha as the 9th avatar of Vishnu), and destruction of monastic universities like Nalanda by Turkic invaders (Bakhtiyar Khilji) in the late 12th century AD.
Life & Evolution of Buddhism
- c. 563 BC — Birth of Siddhartha Gautama: Born in Lumbini (near Kapilavastu, Nepal) to King Shuddhodana of the Shakya clan and Queen Mahamaya.
- c. 534 BC (Age 29) — The Great Renunciation (Mahabhinishkramana): Left his palace, wife Yasodhara, and son Rahula in search of truth after witnessing the Four Sights (old man, sick man, corpse, ascetic).
- c. 528 BC (Age 35) — Enlightenment (Nirvana): Attained Sambodhi (enlightenment) under a Peepal tree (Bodhi tree) at Bodh Gaya on the banks of Niranjana river.
- c. 528 BC — First Sermon (Dharmachakrapravartana): Delivered his first sermon to the five ascetics (Panchavaggiya) at Deer Park in Sarnath (Rishipatana), turning the Wheel of Law.
- c. 483 BC (Age 80) — Mahaparinirvana (Death): Passed away at Kusinara (modern Kushinagar, UP) under a Sal tree. His last words urged disciples to be their own lamps (Appo Deepo Bhava).
Key Questions & Answers
- What are the Four Sights that led to Siddhartha's renunciation?
- An **old man**, a **diseased person**, a **dead body (corpse)**, and an **ascetic (holy man)** showing calm composure.
- What is the language of the early Buddhist scriptures (Tripitakas)?
- Early canonical texts were composed in **Pali**, which was the common tongue, helping the doctrine spread rapidly among laypeople.
- Who presided over the Third Buddhist Council and what text was compiled?
- It was presided over by **Moggaliputta Tissa**. The **Kathavatthu** was compiled and added to the *Abhidhamma Pitaka*.
- What is the difference between Hinayana and Mahayana regarding Buddha's status?
- **Hinayana** views Buddha as a great human teacher who attained Nirvana. **Mahayana** deifies Buddha, worshipping him as a god/idol and believing in Bodhisattvas.
Memory Aids
- Mnemonic 1: Patron Rulers of the 4 Councils: Remember the patron kings in chronological order: • **A**: **A**jatashatru (1st Council) • **K**: **K**alasoka (2nd Council) • **A**: **A**shoka (3rd Council) • **K**: **K**anishka (4th Council)
- Mnemonic 2: Venues of the 4 Councils: Remember the locations in order: • **R**: **R**ajgriha (Saptaparni Cave) • **V**: **V**aishali • **P**: **P**ataliputra • **K**: **K**undalavana (Kashmir)
- Mnemonic 3: The Three Jewels (Triratna): The core pillars of Buddhism: • **B**: **B**uddha (The Enlightened One) • **D**: **D**hamma (The Teachings/Doctrine) • **S**: **S**angha (The Monastic Order)
Common Exam Traps
- Trap 1: Confusing the presidents of the councils with the patron kings. Remember, **Mahakassapa** presided over the 1st council (patron: Ajatashatru); **Sabbakami** over the 2nd (patron: Kalasoka); **Moggaliputta Tissa** over the 3rd (patron: Ashoka); and **Vasumitra/Asvaghosa** over the 4th (patron: Kanishka).
- Trap 2: Believing that Gautama Buddha rejected the concept of Karma. Buddha **fully accepted Karma and Rebirth**, but rejected the Vedic idea of an eternal soul (*Atman*). This is the doctrine of **Anatta** (non-self).
- Trap 3: Confusing the contents of the Tripitakas. Remember: **Vinaya Pitaka** contains monastic rules; **Sutta Pitaka** contains Buddha's sermons/discourses; **Abhidhamma Pitaka** contains philosophical interpretations of the teachings.