Buddhism
Buddha's Life
Goutam Buddha, founder of Buddhism, was born in 563 BC, on the vaisakha purnima day ay Lumbinivana (Rummindehi District, Nepal) in the Sakya Kshatriya clan. His father Suddhodhna was the republican king of Kapilvastu and mother Mahaprajapati was a princess of Kollia republic.
After his mother's early death, he was brought up by his step mother and aunt mahaprajapati Goutami. His father married him at an early age to Yasodhara (Princess of Shakya dynasty) from whom he had a son Rahul.
Four sight - an old man, a diseased person, a dead body and an ascetic-proved to be a turning point in his carrier. At the age of 29, he renounced home, this was his Mahabhinishkramana (great going forth) and become a wandering ascetic. His first teacher was Alara kalama (Sankhya philosopher) from whom he learnt the technique of meditation. His next teacher was Udraka Ramputra. At the age of 35, under a pipal tree at Uruvella (Bodh Gaya) on the bank of river Nirvana (enlightenment) after 49 days of continuous meditation; now he was a fully enlightened.
buddha delivered his first sermon at Sarnath to his five disciples, this is known as Dharmachakra Pravartana. He died at the age of 80 in 483 BC at Kshinagar. This is known as Mahaparinirvana.
Doctrine of Buddhism
Chatwari Arya Satyani (Four Noble Truths)
It is the essence of Buddhism
1. Life is full of sorrow
2. There are causes of sorrow
3. This sorrow can be stopped
4. There is a path leading to the cessation of sorrow
Sects of Buddhism
Hinayana
1. Its followers believed in the original teaching of Buddha
2. They sought individual salvation through self-discipline and meditation.
3. They did not believe in idol-worship
4. They favored Pali language
5. It is known as 'Southern Buddhist Religion', because it prevailed in the South of India, Sri Lanka, Burma, Thailand and Java etc.
6. There were two subsects of Hinayana - Vaibhasika and Sautantrika.
Mahayana
1. Its followers believed in the heavenliness of Buddha
2. They sought the salvation of all through the grace and help of Buddha and Bodhisatva
3. They believed in idol-worship
4. They favoured Sanskrit language
5. It is known as ' Northern Buddhist Religion' , Because it prevailed in the North of India, China, Korea, Japan, etc.
6. there were two subsects of Mahayana- Madhyamika/Shunyavada (founder - Nagarjuna) and Yogachar/ Vijnanavada (founder - Maitreyanath and his disciple Asanga)
Vajrayana
1. Its followers believed that salvation could be best attained by acquiring the magical power, which they called Vajra
2. The chief divinities of this new sect were the Taras
3. It became popular in Eastern India, particularly Bengal and Bihar
Bodhisattvas
1. Vajrapani, like Indra, he hold a thunderbolt, foe of sin and evil
2. Avlokitesvara also called Padmapani
3. Manjushri (Stimulator of understanding) He hold a book describing 10 paramitas
4. Maitreya, the future Buddha
5. Kshitigriha, guardian of purgatories
6. Amitabha / Amitayusha, Buddha of Heaven
Sacred Shrines
Lumbini, Bodh Gaya, Sarnath and Kusinagar, where the four principal events of the Buddha's life, namely Birth, Enlightenment, Frist Sermon and Death took place. To these are added four places Sravasti, Rajgriha, Vaishali and Sankasya - these eight place have all along been considered as the eight holy places. Other centeres of Buddhism in Ancient India- Amaravati and Nagarjunikonda in Andhra Pradesh; Nalanda in Bihar; Junagadh and Vallabhi in Gujarat; Sanchi and Bharut in Madhya Pradesh; Ajanta-Ellora in Maharashtra; Dhaulagiri in Odisha; Kannauj, Kaushambi and Mathutra in Uttar Pradesh; and Jgadala and Somapuri in West Bengal. Buddhist architecture was developed in three form
1. Stupa - relics of the Buddha or some prominent Buddhist monk are preserved
2. Chaitya - prayer hall
3. Vihara - residence / monasteries
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