Buddhism and Jainism
Causes of Origin
The Kshatriya reaction against the domination of the priestly class called Brahmanas. Mahavira and Gautama Buddha, both belonged to the Kshatriya clan.
Indiscriminate killing of cattle for Vedic sacrifices and for food had led to the destabilization of the new agricultural economy which was dependent on cattle for ploughing the fields. Both Buddhism and Jainism stood against this killing.
The growth of cities with the increase in the circulation of Punch Marked coins and trade and commerce had added to the importance of Vaishyas who looked for a new religion to improve their position. Jainism and Buddhism facilitated their needs
The new forms of property created social inequalities and the common people wanted to get back to their primitive form of life
Growing complexity and degeneration of Vedic religion.
Difference between Jainism and Buddhism and Vedic Religion
They did not attach any importance to the existing Varna system
They preached the Gospel of non-violence
They accepted Vaishyas, including the Moneylenders who were condemned by Brahmanas
They preferred simple, puritan and ascetic living
Buddhism
Gautama Buddha and Buddhism
Gautama Buddha was born in 563 BC in the Republican clan of Shakyas in Lumbini near Kapilavastu. His mother was a princess from Kosalan dynasty.
Four Sights of Buddha’s life at the age of 29 had moved him to the path of renunciation. They are
An old man
A diseased person
An ascetic
A dead person
Important events in the life of Buddha
Events
Places
Symbols
Janma
Lumbini
Lotus and Bull
Mahabhinishkramana
-
Horse
Nirvana
Bodh Gaya
Bodhi Tree
Dharmachakra Pravartana
Saranath
Wheel
Mahaparinirvana
Kusinagar
Stupa
Doctrines of Buddhism
Four noble truths
Dukha – life is full of sorrow
Samyuda – there are causes for the sorrow
Nirodha – they can be stopped
Nirodha gamini Pratipada – Path leading towards the cessation of sorrow
Ashtangika Marga
Right observation
Right determination
Right exercise
Right action
Right speech
Right memory
Right meditation
Right livelihood
Madhya Marga – to avoid the excess of both luxury and austerity
Triratna – Buddha, Dharma and Sangha
Special features of Buddhism and the causes of its spread
Buddhism does not recognize the existence of god and soul
Women were also admitted to the Sangha. Sangha was open to all, irrespective of caste and sex
Pali language was used which helped in the spread of Buddhist doctrines among the common people
Ashoka embraced Buddhism and spread it to Central Asia, West Asia and Srilanka
Buddhist Councils
First Council: The first council was held in the year 483 B.C at Saptaparni caves near Rajgriha in Bihar under the patron of king Ajatshatru, during the first council two Buddhist works of literature were compiled Vinaya and Sutta Pitaka by Upali
Second Council: The second council was held in the year 383 B.C at Vaishali under the patron of king Kalashoka
Third Council: The third council was held in the year 250 B.C at Patliputra under the patron of King Ashoka the Great, during the third council Abhidhamma Pitaka was added and Buddhist holy book Tripitaka was compiled.
Fourth Council: The fourth council was held in the year 78 A.D at Kundalvan in Kashmir under the patron of king Kanishka, during this council Hinayana and Mahayana were divided.
Causes of the decline of Buddhism
Buddhism succumbed to the rituals and ceremonies which it had originally denounced
They gave up Pali and took Sanskrit. They began to practice idol worship and received numerous offerings from devotees
Monasteries came under the domination of ease-loving people and became the centre of corrupt practices
Vajrayana form started to develop.
Buddhists came to look upon women as objects of lust.
Importance and influence of Buddhism
Literature
Tripitaka
Sutta Pitaka – Buddha’s sayings
Vinaya Pitaka – Monastic code
Abhidhamma Pitaka – religious discourses of Buddha
Milindapanho – dialogue between Menander and Saint Nagasena
Dipavamsha and Mahavamsha – the great chronicles of Sri Lanka
Buddhacharita by Ashvagosha
Sects
Hinayana (Lesser Wheel) - They believe in the real teachings of Gautam Buddha of attaining Nirvana. They do not believe in idol worship and Pali language was used in the Hinayana text
Mahayana (Greater Wheel) - They believe that Nirvana is attained by the grace of Gautam Buddha and following Boddhisattvas and not by following his teachings. They believe in idol worship and Sanskrit was used in Mahayana text
Vajrayana - They believe that Nirvana is attained by the help of magical tricks or black magic.
Bodhisattvas
Vajrapani
Avalokitesvara or Padmapani
Manjushri
Maitreya (Future Buddha)
Kshitigriha
Amitabha/Amitayusha
Buddhist architectures
Places of Worship – Stupas containing the relics of Buddha or Bodhisattvas. Chaityas are the prayer hall while Viharas are the place of residence of monks
Development of Cave architectureeg. Barabar caves in Gaya
Development of Idol worship and sculptures
The growth of universities of par excellence which attracted students from all over the world
Jainism
Jainism believes in 24 Tirthankaras with Rishabdev being the first and Mahavira, contemporary of Buddha being the 24th Tirthankara.
The 23rd Tirthankar Parshwanath (Emblem: Snake) was the son of King Ashvasena of Banaras.
The 24th and the last Tirthankar was Vardhman Mahavira (Emblem: Lion).
He was born in Kundagram (Distt Muzaffarpur, Bihar) in 599 BC.
His father Siddhartha was the head of Jnatrika clan. His mother was Trishla, sister of Lichchavi Prince Chetak of Vaishali.
Mahavira was related to Bimbisara.
Married to Yashoda, had a daughter named Priyadarsena, whose husband Jamali became his first disciple.
At 30, after the death of his parents, he became an ascetic.
In the 13th year of his asceticism (on the 10th of Vaishakha), outside the town of Jrimbhikgrama, he attained supreme knowledge (Kaivalya).
From now on he was called Jaina or Jitendriya and Mahavira, and his followers were named Jains.
He also got the title of Arihant, i.e., worthy. At the age of 72, he attained death at Pava, near Patna, in 527 BC.
Five vows of Jainism
Ahmisa – non-violence
Satya – do not speak a lie
Asteya – do not steal
Aparigraha – do not acquire property
Brahmacharya – celibacy
Three main principles
Ahimsa
Anekantavada
Aparigraha
Triratna of Jainism
Right faith – Samayak Shradha
Right Knowledge – Samayak Jnan
Right Conduct – Samayak karma
Five types of knowledge
Mati jnana
Shruta jnana
Avadhi jnana
Manahparayaya Jnana
Keval Jnana
Jain council
1st Council at Patliputra under the Patron of Chandragupta Maurya in 300 BC during which the 12 Angas were compiled
2nd Council at Vallabhi in 512 AD during which the final compilation of 12 Angas and 12 Upangas was done
Sects
Shwetambars – Sthulabhadra – People who put on white robes. Those who stayed back in North during the times of famine
Digambars – Bhadrabahu – Exodus of monks to Deccan and South during the times of Magadhan famine. They have a naked attire
Jain Literature
Jain literature used Prakrit, which is a common language of people than using Sanskrit. In this way, Jainism reached far and wide through people. The important literary works are
12 Angas
12 Upangas
10 Parikramas
6 Chhedsutras
4 Mulasutras
2 Sutra Granthas
Part of Sangam literature is also attributed to Jain scholars.
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