Buddhism is a religion and philosophy that originated in ancient India and was founded by Siddhartha Gautama, also known as the Buddha. Buddhism is based on the Four Noble Truths, which teach that suffering is a part of life, the cause of suffering is attachment and craving, it is possible to end suffering by eliminating attachment and craving, and the way to end suffering is through following the Eightfold Path.
.jpg "Mahatma Buddha and His Teachings: Early Life, Teachings, Doctrine, Eightfold Path, Buddhist Councils, Literature and Fall")
Mahatma Buddha
- Founder of Buddhism- Gautam Buddha
- Name-Gautam Buddha
- Childhood name - Siddhartha (Gotriya Abhidhan-Gautama)
- Born-563 BC
- Birthplace - Lumbini (in the Terai of Nepal near Kapilvastu)
- Father's name- Shuddhodhana (Head of Shakya Gana of Kapilvastu)
- Mother's name Maya Devi or Mahamaya (daughter of Koliya dynasty)
- Brought up by Aunt Mahaprajapati Gautami
- Wife's name- Yashodhara (of Shakya clan)
- Son- Rahul
- Death - 483 BC (in Kushinagar, the capital of Mallas)
Buddhism-Introduction
The birth of Gautam Buddha is believed to be in 563 BC or 566 BC in Amra-Kunj of Lumbini village near Kapilvastu. His mother died on the 7th day of his birth. So he was brought up by his maternal aunt, Maha Prajapati Gautami.
Kaldev and Brahmin Kaundinya had predicted that this child would be a great Chakravarti king or a great monk. Siddhartha had a serious personality from an early age. He often used to sit in meditation under the Jambu tree. At the age of 16, he was married to Yashodhara (his other names are also Gopa, Bimba, and Bhadrakachha). A son named Rahul was born to him.
Four scenes related to the life of Gautam Buddha
1. Seeing an old person
2. Seeing the sick person
3. Seeing the dead
4. Seeing a monk in a happy mood
Immersed in continuous contemplation, Siddhartha left home at the age of 29. In Buddhist texts, this incident has been called Mahabhinishkraman.
The name of Buddha's charioteer was Chana (Channa) and the name of the horse was Kanthak, who took him in a chariot and dropped him some distance away from the palace. Buddha first stayed for a week in a mango garden called Anupiya.
After this reached Rajagriha, the capital of Magadha, where Vimbasar was the ruler. Near Vaishali, Buddha met a monk named Alar Kalam, who was a teacher of Samkhya philosophy. He met a Dharmacharya named Rudrak Ramputra near Rajgriha.
Thereafter he reached Uruvela (Bodh Gaya) and did penance under a tree on the banks of river Niranjana. Along with them, 5 Brahmin monks were also doing penance. Their names were Kaundinya, Oja, Assaji, Bappa and Bhaddiya.
It is known from the Jataka tales that the five Brahmins left their company and went to Rishipattana (Sarnath) after having accepted the food items brought by Sujata, the daughter of the fighter of Uruvela. The Buddha reached Gaya from Uruvela and meditated there under a Peepal tree. He attained enlightenment (bodhi) on the 8th day (Baishakh Purnima day) and was called Buddha. He was also addressed by the name Tathagata which means - One whose knowledge is truth (Shakyamuni is also the name of Buddha).
Buddha's first visit - first sermon at Sarnath
After attaining knowledge, he made two barbarians Tapasu and Bhallik his servants in Bodh Gaya.
First of all the Buddha reached Rishipattana or Mrigadava (Sarnath) from Gaya where the five Brahmins were already present. Here some gave their first sermon to these five Brahmins. This incident was called Dharmachakra Pravartana.
Then Buddha came to Varanasi and stayed at the place of Shresthiputra named Yash. Yash became a disciple of Mahatma Buddha along with his mother, father, wife, five friends, and 50 other people.
Yash's mother and wife became the first worshipers of Mahatma Buddha.
The robber Angulimala became a disciple
In the 20th year of attaining enlightenment, the Buddha reached Sravasti and there made a dacoit named Angulimala his disciple. Most of the disciples of Buddha happened in the state of Kosala and it was here that he propagated his religion the most.
Buddha died in 483 BC
In the last year of his life, he reached the place of his disciple Chund (Blacksmith or Goldsmith). Here Sukramaddav suffered from diarrhea after eating food. Then he went to Kushinagar from Pava and gave the last sermon to Subhadda here. He died in Kushinagar at the age of 80, which is called Mahaparinirvan in Buddhist texts. Before death Buddha said - all dangerous things are destroyed, try enthusiastically for your salvation.
After Buddha's death, his body was divided into eight metal parts and stupas were built on each part. In the Mahaparinirvana Sutra, the names of the claimants of Buddha's body metal are found as follows-
1. Magadha King Ajatashatru
2. Sakyas of Kapilavastu
3. Lichchhavis of Vaishali
4. Brahmins of Vethdweep
5. Bullies of Alkapp
6. Mallas of Pava
7. Moriah of Piplivan
8. Kolis of Ramgram
The number of followers of Mahatma Buddha, the main disciple of Buddha, was very large, but among his followers, there were some eminent disciples who had prominence near Buddha and in the Buddhist Sangha.
1. Sariputra - He was a Brahmin by caste and was a resident of Rajagriha. For this, the Buddha used to say, "The wheel driven by me, the unique wheel of Dharma is being driven by Sariputra, the son of the Tathagata." Even after falling and Parvatraj Sumer being crushed to pieces, Sthavir Sariputra cannot have any desire to hurt anyone.
It died during the lifetime of Mahatma Buddha. The Buddha, deeply saddened and bereaved, said, "This bhikkhu was a contented, unsatisfied, industrious sinner-
2. Ananda - This was Buddha's personal body attendant and supreme disciple. He was probably a cousin of Mahatma Buddha. Its main contribution is to make women nuns members of the Sangha.
3. Modgalyayan - It was a resident of Rajagriha and along with Sariputra was initiated into Buddhism, it also died during Buddha's lifetime.
4. Upali - This was the son of Napit (hairdresser). His father used to work as a barber in the Shakya dynasty.
5. Sunit-He was a Bhangi of caste. Buddha made him his disciple.
6. Aniruddha - He was the son of a wealthy businessman. He became a renunciate by the teachings and instructions of Buddha.
7. Anathpindak - He was a famous 'Shresthi' (businessman) of Bhavasti. It gave it to the Buddha in order from Chetkumar to Jetavan.
8. Bimbisara - He was the ruler of Magadha. His wife (Chhema) had become a nun.
9. Prasenjit - He was the king of Kosala. His wife Queen Mallika was a worshiper of Buddha.
10. Ajatashatru - He was the son of Bimbisara and the ruler of Magadha. He became the ultimate follower of Buddha.
11. Jivaka (Bimbisara Rajvaidya) - He was a follower of Buddha. His knowledge of Ayurveda was of very high quality. His mother's name was Salvati she was a courtesan of Rajgriha. After his birth, Salvati threw him on the hoop. From there Prince Abhay, the son of Vimbisara received it. After his upbringing, he was sent to Takshashila for study where he studied Ayurveda and got the knowledge of medicinal plants by roaming around the city.
12. Mahakashyap - He was born in a Brahmin family of Magadha. After the death of Mahatma Buddha, he became the chairman of the Buddhist council held in the Saptaparni cave of Rajagriha.
Leading Buddhist Women
1.Mahaprajapati Gautami - She was the wife of Maharaja Shuddhodhan and aunt of Mahatma Buddha. At the behest of Ananda, Buddha decided to initiate her into the Sangha and since then women in the Buddhist Sangha also started becoming nuns.
2. Yashodhara - Buddha's wife Yashodhara took the vow and followed the rules of the Sangha.
3. Nanda - She was the daughter of Mahaprajapati Gautami and sister of Buddha, she also received initiation from Buddha.
4. Khema (Chhema) - She was the wife of Bimbisara, she also took Pravajya.
5. Amrapali - This was the courtesan of Vaishali who accepted Buddhism.
6. Vishakha - She was the daughter of Shresthi of Bhaddiya village of Anga district. Buddha often used to rest in this Bihar. Visakha became the patroness of the Buddhist Sangha.
Contemporary opponents of Buddha - Buddha's cousin Devadatta was his opponent. He was also opposed by the Magadha emperor Ajatshatru but later became his disciple. The Brahmins of Magadha, Anga Kosala, etc. strongly opposed the Buddha. Brahmins like San Dand, Kut Dant, Kashibhardwaj, etc. opposed Buddha but Kashibhardwaj later showed his attraction toward Buddha's opinion.
Main tenets of Buddhism
The fundamental basis of Buddhism is the Four Noble Truths. These are – Sorrow, Sorrow community, Sorrow prevention, and Sorrow prevention Gamini Pratipada.
Sorrow- According to Buddha, birth is also sorrow, old age is also sorrow, and death is also sorrow. The unpleasant meeting is also sorrow, dear separation is also sorrow, seeing the world in sorrow, Buddha had said "Sabba Dukh" means all things are sorrow.
Sorrow community - A grief community means there are many reasons for the origin of sorrow. The root of all is Avidya (ignorance) and Trishna (jealousy). Attachment and attachment arise from craving. Form, sound, smell, taste, and mental reasoning are the causes of attachment.
The causes of sorrow are said to be Pratitya Samutpada (it is due to its receipt). It is also called hetu parampara. Dwadash Nidan (twelve measures) have been expressed under Samutpada, which are the reasons for generating each other; These are-
1. Avidya
2. Sanskar
3. Science (Chaitanya)
4. Name form
5. Shadyatan (group of five senses and mind)
6. Do Touch
7. Trishna
8. Pain (Vedna)
9. Upadaana (the desire to be attached to worldly matters)
10. Bhava (desire to take on a body)
11. Jati (wearing a body)
12. Old age
Out of these 12 reasons of life cycle, the first two are related to the previous birth and the last two are related to the future life, and the rest are related to the present life. This cycle of life and death! does not end with Death is only due to the beginning of a new life. To end this reason, the end of ignorance is necessary and only knowledge is capable of taking a person towards Nirvana by ending ignorance.
Pratya Samutpada is the basic element of Buddhist philosophy. Other principles are included in this. The ephemeral of Buddhist philosophy is also a theory derived from the origin of perception.
Prevention of sorrow - The eradication of craving is necessary for the prevention or prevention of sorrow. Renunciation of craving or desire paves the way for cessation of suffering.
The Eightfold Path is the antidote to sorrow.
Eightfold Path
1. Samyak Drashti- Meditation on the real nature of things is the right view.
2. Samyak Sankalp- keep thoughts free from attachment, malice, and violence.
3. Samyak Vak- Abandonment of unpleasant words.
4. Samyak Karmant - Following good deeds like charity, kindness, truth, non-violence, etc.
5. Samyak Aajeev – Living a life according to the rules of morality.
6. Samyak Vyayam - Making judicious efforts.
7. Samyak Smriti - Keeping true beliefs by abandoning all kinds of false beliefs.
8. Samyak Samadhi - Concentration of mind or mind.
The eightfold path is divided into three cantos-
1. Samyak Drashti
2. Samayak Sankalp
3. Samyak Vak
Pragya
2. Samayak Sankalp
3. Samyak Vak
| 4. Samayak Karmant 5. Samyak AAJIV 6. Samyak Vyayam |
Sheel |
| 7. Samyak Smrati 8. Samyak Samadhi |
Mausoleum |
By practicing the eightfold path, a person moves towards Nirvana. The Buddha forbids both leading a more pleasurable life under the Eightfold Path or engaging in excessive bodily distress. He adopted Madhyam Pratipada (middle way) in this regard.
Buddhism is basically atheistic. It is also an anathema, but like Hinduism and Jainism, it has a belief in reincarnation. Because of this, the principle of Karmaphal is also rational. It has been said in the Milindapanhas that just as a wave arising in water ends by giving birth to another, in the same way, the result of karma is the cause of rebirth in the form of consciousness.
In Buddhism, a lot of emphases has been laid on virtue and moral life for attaining Nirvana. The practice of the ten precepts is the basis of moral life. These ten virtues have also been called Shikshapad.
Ten Precepts
1. Nonviolence (Ahinsa)
2. Truth ( Satya)
3. Asteya (not stealing)
4. Aparigraha (non-hoarding)
5. Celibacy ( Brahmacharya)
6. Not eating after noon
7. Do not commit adultery
8. Abstain from alcohol
9. Sacrifice the Comfortable Bed
10. Abandonment of ornaments
According to Buddhism, the ultimate goal of life is the attainment of Nirvana. Nirvana means to extinguish the lamp, that is, to be free from the cycle of life and death. According to Buddhism, Nirvana can be attained in this very life. But Mahaparinirvana is possible only after death.
Main features of philosophy
1- Buddhist philosophy is transienism.
2- Buddhist philosophy is intrinsically pure. According to this, all rituals are Vyayadharma. Therefore, edit salvation with impunity.
3- Buddhist philosophy is very karmic. Here karma means physical, verbal, and mental efforts.
4- Buddhist philosophy is atheistic.
5- Buddhism believes in reincarnation.
6- Buddhism is Anatmistic, but later one of its branches Samitya accepted the soul. In Buddhism, human personality is said to be made up of five elements (form, feeling, noun, culture, and science).
Buddhist Union
Sangha has an important place in Buddhism. It is an essential part of Triratna. The three gems of Karma are Buddha, Dhamma, and Sangha. After giving his first sermon at Sarnath, the Buddha founded the Sangha with five Brahmin disciples. After this, a businessman named Yash became a member of the union. The organization of the Buddhist Sangha was based on the republican system.
Renunciation of household life and minimum age of 15 years was mandatory to get admission to Sangh. No person could enter it without the permission of the parents. The unwell, physically disabled, debtors, soldiers, and slaves were prohibited from entering the union.
In the assembly of the Sangha, the proposal was called Natti or Vriti, while the text of the proposal was called Anusavan. The resolution passed by the majority was called Bhumskim. Disagreements on any proposal were called tribunals.
There was a division of votes (voting) on differences. Voting was done both by Gullak (secret) and Vivatak (direct). The officer who arranged for seating in the assembly was called Asan Pragyapak. The minimum attendance (quorum) for its meeting was 20. When on a special occasion all the monks and nuns used to gather for Dharmavarta and do Dharmavarta, it was called Uposath.
Entry into the Sangha was called Upasampada. The renunciation of household life was called Pravajya. The one who took Pravjya was called Shramner. After receiving education from an Acharya, Shramner used to become an officer of Upasampada or Bhikshupad. For this, he was required to be 20 years of age. Shramners had to follow 10 teachings, which were called Shikshapad.
The followers of Buddhism were divided into two classes-
1. Monk, Nun
2. Worshipers
People who followed Buddhism while living a household life were called worshipers.
Buddhist Councils
Four Buddhist Councils have played a major role in the development of Buddhism. These committees were organized for the creation and compilation of religious literature.
First Buddhist council
- Location- Saptaparni Cave of Rajagriha
- Chairman - General Assembly
- Ruler- Ajatashatru
This Buddhist council was held in the Saptapani cave of Rajagriha in 483 BC, immediately after the death of Mahatma Buddha.
At this time the emperor of Magadha was Ajatashatru. Ananda and Upali were present at this meeting. The teachings of Buddha were compiled in this music and divided into Two Pitakas named Sutta and Vinaya. Anand and Upali were considered to be the proof of religion and humility respectively.
Second Buddhist Council
- Location- Balukaram Vihar of Vaishali
- Chairman -Subukami
- Ruler- Kalashoka
100 year after the Mahaparinirvana of Mahatma Buddha, the Second Buddhist Council was organized in 283 BC during the time of Kalashoka. Subukami presided over it.
In this Sangeeti, there was a difference of opinion among the Buddhist monks about some things, such as taking rest after lunch, drinking buttermilk after eating, drinking toddy, using a padded bed, taking gold and silver donations, etc. Who
People who were in favor of this change were called Mahasanghikas or Sarvastivadis (Eastern monks or Vajjiputras). According to this, the living being is made of 9 religions. They believed that the essential parts of the visible world are not completely momentary, but are always present in an unmanifested form. They were led by Mahakassapa in Vaishali.
Those who were opposed to change were called Sthavir or Cheravadi (Western monks). They were led by Mahakachhayana in Ujjain. This division of the Buddhist Sangha increased and in the course of time, both sects were divided into eighteen sub-sects.
Third Buddhist council
- Location- Patliputra
- President- Mogalputtitsya
- Emperor -Ashoka
In 247 BC, 236 years after the death of Mahatma Buddha, the Third Buddhist Council was held in Ashokaram Vihara of Pataliputra during the reign of Ashoka. A third Pitaka named Abhidhamma was added to this and the text of this Pitaka, Kathavattu, was compiled. The Sthavir sect was dominant in this music.
Fourth Buddhist Council
- Location - Kundalvan of Kashmir
- President- Vasumitra
- Vice President-Asvaghosha
- Ruler- Kanishka
In 102 AD, 585 years after the death of Mahatma Buddha, during the reign of Kanishka, the Fourth Buddhist Council was held at Kundalvan or Jalandhar in Kashmir (at the behest of Parsva). It was presided over by Vasumitra while the vice president was Asvaghosha. Another treatise called Vibhashashastra was composed in Sangeet. At the same time, Buddhists adopted Sanskrit as a language.
At the same time, Buddhism was clearly divided into two sects named Hinayana and Mahapan. In fact, in Hinayana, there were Sthaviravadis and Mahasandhik in Mahayana.
Hinayana and Mahayana
| Hinayana | Mahayana |
|---|---|
| The
literal meaning of Hinayana is - the lower path. These people wanted to
maintain the ancient ideals of Buddhism in their original form.
Hinayana is also called 'Shravak Yan'. Shravak is said to be a person
who is troubled by the tribulation of life and moves on the path of
Nirvana. |
The literal meaning of Mahayana is - the path of excellence. This is also called 'Bodhisattvayana'. These people wanted to change or improvement in the ancient ideals of Buddhism with time. |
| The Hinayanas were not idolaters. | Buddha was considered a great man in Hinayana. Buddha was considered a deity in Mahayana. |
| The
idea of Hinayana was to attain the status of Arhat. The person who
attains Nirvana through his spiritual practice is called Arhat. But
after Nirvana, they are not reborn. |
The Mahayanis were idolaters (the first credit for making Buddha statues is given to Mathura art in the first century AD). |
| Eating meat is prohibited in Hinayana. | There was no such restriction in Mahayana. |
| Hinayana is an individualistic religion. According to this, every person should attain salvation by his own efforts | In Mahayana, the emphasis is on service and charity. Its aim is the welfare of all mankind. |
| Hinayana does not believe in any pilgrimage. | Mahayani cities consider pilgrimages – Lumbini, Bodh Gaya, Sarnath, Kushinagar |
The texts of Hinayana are generally in the Pali language. Hinayana was propagated in South India, Lanka, Burma, and Thailand. |
The texts of Mahayana are generally in the Sanskrit language. Propagation of Mahayanis took place in North India, China, Tibet, Japan, and Korea. |
Meaning of Bodhisattva
The ideal of Mahayana is the Bodhisattva. Bodhisattvas are individuals who have attained nirvana but come to help others attain nirvana. It can be human or animal in any form. The main Bodhisattvas are as follows-
1. Avalokiteshvara - This is the prime Bodhisattva. It is also called Padmapani (lotus in hand). Its main quality is kindness.
2. Manjushree - She holds a sword in one hand and a book in the other. Their main function is to sharpen the intellect.
3. Vajrapani - This is a harsh Bodhisattva and the destroyer of sin and untruth. He is depicted with a thunderbolt in his hand.
4. Damage- He is the guardian of pure places.
5. Amitabh - He is depicted as the ruler of the world.
6. Maitreya is the future Bodhisattva (urn bearer).
School of Mahayana
Hinayana was divided into two sects, Vaibhashika and Syamantika.
1. It was called Vaibhashik because it was based on Vaibhasik linguistics. This belief originated mainly in Kashmir. Vaibhashika accepts the existence of the mind and the external world; But according to this opinion, the knowledge of the external world is possible only through direct observation. For this reason, this opinion is also called external positivism. In the main form of this opinion, there were four Acharyas - Dharmatrat, Ghoshak, Vasumitra, and Buddhadev.
2. Sautrantik- The main basis of this opinion is Sutta Pitaka. That's why it is called Sautrantik. The Sautrantikas accept the existence of the mind and the external world but do not believe that the knowledge of the world is directly possible. According to them, what we experience of the objects of the external world are just the choices of our minds.
There is very little literature on this opinion. According to Hiuen Tsang, Kumarlal was the originator of this opinion.
Sect of Mahayana - Like Hinayana, Mahayana is also got divided into two branches Madhyamikism and Vigyanism.
Composed books like Shunyatasaptati, and Vigrahavyavartani.
1. Nagarjuna is the originator of Secondaryism or Zeroism. He composed books like Madhyamakakarika, Shoonitasaptati, and Vigrahavyavartani.
This opinion is also called relativism, according to which everything has been adopted for some reason or the other. Nagarjuna has called the dependent origination itself emptiness.
Another influential propagator of this opinion was his disciple Aryadev. He wrote a book named Chatushtaka. Chandrakirti, Shantideva, and Shantirakshita were famous among other important persons.
2. Vigyanvad or Yogachar - This opinion was founded by Maitreya or Maitreyanath in the third century of Christ. Asanga and Basubandhu developed it. This opinion considers the mind or science as the only entity. That is why it is called scientism. Because of giving special emphasis on yoga and ethics, it is also called Yogachar.
Asanga's younger brother Vasumitra became a follower of this opinion in the last period of his life. He has given a detailed explanation of Yogachara in his book Sansiksamatrata Siddhi.
Other major denominations
Vajrayana Sect: In the 6th century AD, many defects started appearing in Buddhism. As a result of which a new sect named Vajrayana emerged. Many wives of Buddha have been imagined in this, in which Tara, Chakreshwari Devi, etc. are prominent.
This sect was originally prevalent in Bengal and Bihar, its maximum development took place in the 8th century. Its principles are found in the texts named Manjushree Mool Kalp and Guhya Samaj. Asanga is considered the creator of Guhya Samaj.
Kalachakravan Kalachakrayan originated from Vajrayana in the 10th century. Manjushree is considered to be its 'promoter'. Its supreme deity was Srikalachakra. In this community, the human body is considered a symbol of the universe. Kalachakratantra and Vimalprabhatika are the two main texts of this community.
Sahajayan- This sect was established in Bengal in the tenth century. In this, the orthodoxy of Vajrayana, Kalachakrayan, etc. was opposed. Basically, the emphasis is on Charyapadas or devotional songs.
Buddhist Literature
Buddhist literature is called Tripitaka. It is composed in Pali language. These Tripitakas are known as Suttapitaka, Vinaya Pitaka and Abhidhamma Pitaka.
The meaning of Suttapitaka-Sutta is Dharma preaching. The teachings of Buddhism are stored in this Pitaka. It is divided into five bodies-
(1) Long Nikaya (Dighra Nikaya) - Collection of long teachings of Buddha. Buddhaghosa wrote commentaries on this called Sumangalvasini and Gramantapasadika.
(2) Mijjhamnikaya - Collection of short teachings.
(3) Sanyukta Nikaya - Collection of brief declarations of Buddha. Part of this is the Dharmachakra Pravartana Sutta. It mentions Majjhim Pratipada and Ashtangik Marg.
4. Anguttar Nikaya - Collection of more than 2 thousand brief sayings of Buddha. Sixteen Mahajanapadas are also mentioned in this.
5. Khuddak Nikaya - Many books come in this. Khuddak Path, Dhammapadam, Udan, Suttanipata, Vimanavathu, Bhattavatyu, Dherigatha, Jataka etc. The stories of the previous births of the Buddha are collected in the Jatakas. Some Jataka texts also describe the political condition of the Buddha's time.
Vinaya Pitaka - In this, the rules and regulations related to the association and daily life of monks and nuns are collected. It has the following parts-
1. Patimokkha (Pratimoksha) - In this, there is a description of rules and prohibitions related to discipline and the atonement to be done when it is broken.
2. Sutta Vibhanga – Commentaries on the rules of Patimokkha are presented in this. It has two parts Mahavibhanga and Bhikkhuni Vibhanga. In the first, rules and regulations have been given for Buddhist monks, and in the second, for nuns.
3. Khandhak- In these, a detailed description of the laws and prohibitions related to federal life is found.
4. Family - In this, the summary of other parts of Vinaya Pitaka has been presented in the form of question and answer.
Abhidhamma Pitaka - This Pitaka describes Buddhist philosophical principles. It is in the form of question and answer. Seven books are included under this-
Dhammasangani Vibhanga, Dhatu Katha, Yugal Panchati, Kathavatthu, Yamak and Pathan. The most important of these is Kathavatthu. It was composed by Moggaliputta Tissa on the occasion of the Third Music.
Other Major Texts of Buddhism
1. Jataka stories - their number is 549. It contains the stories of Buddha's previous births. This is the oldest collection of Indian fiction. It is in Pali language.
2. Eight Tales - These are written in the form of commentaries on Tripitakas. The eight story of Sutta Pitaka is Maha Attaka. Kurundi is the eighth story of Vinaya Pitaka. The Abhidhammapitaka Aath Katha is originally a Mahapachari in the Sinhalese language. Buddha Ghosh translated them into Magadhi.
3. Nidan Katha- The life story of Buddha is first found in Nidan Katha by collecting isolated incidents related to Buddha's life from various texts. Its three parts are as follows-
(i) Door Nidan- It contains the details of Buddha's previous births.
(ii) Avidur Nidana – It describes the story of urging Bodhisattvas to be born again on earth.
(iii) Santik Nidana – In this, the description of the first initiates in Buddhism is given.
Deepavansh and Mahavansh - Mainly it has the history of Sinhaldweep (Sri Lanka). This book written in Pali language also gives some information about Mauryan history.
Milindapanho - This book describes the conversation between the Greek king Menander and the Buddhist monk Nagasena. Its creator is Nagsen. It is written in Pali language.
Buddhist texts in the Sanskrit language
Buddhacharita - This epic was composed by Ashvaghosha. In this, a simple and succinct description of the life of Mahatma Buddha is found. It begins with the conception of Buddha and presents details up to the time of Ashoka.
Saundarananda - In this epic, there is a poetic description of Buddha's half-brother Saundarananda's conversion to Buddhism. This is also the creation of Ashvaghosha. There is also a beautiful description of the sufferings of Sundari, the wife of Saundranand.
Sariputra Episode - This is a drama composed by Ashvaghosha, in which there is a description of Sariputra's initiation into Buddhism.
Vajra-Suchi - This is a Upanishadic text composed by Ashvaghosha. Although it is considered to be the creation of another Buddhist scholar and philosopher Dharmakirti due to the fierce denial of the caste system described in it.
Mahavastu – This book written in the Sanskrit language is related to the life cycle of Buddha. This is a book of the Hinayana sect, but features of Mahayana are visible in it.
Vishuddhimagga - This is a book of the Hinayana sect composed by Buddhaghosa.
Abhidhamma Ghosh - It was composed by Vasubandhu.
Mahayana texts
Lalit Vistar - This Buddhist text written in Sanskrit is the golden saga of Buddha's life. This text was used by Edwin Arnold to write 'The Light of Asia', an epic on the life of the Buddha.
Sadharm Pundarik - This is a long series of dialogues.
Vajrachedika - It has articles related to enlightenment.
Sukhavati Vyuh – It contains the description of Amitabh and his heaven.
Kurand Vyuh – It describes the greatness of Avalokiteshvara.
Ashta Sahasrika Prajnaparamita - It describes the spiritual perfections of the Bodhisattva.
Famous Buddhist scholar and philosopher -
Between 200 BC and 700 AD, many well-known Buddhist saints and scholars emerged, who contributed substantially to the development of Buddhist philosophy and religion, some of them were the following.
1. Ashwaghosh - He was a contemporary of Kanishka, a genius poet, dramatist, musician, scholar, and logician. He composed the first book 'Buddhacharitam' in the form of an epic describing the life character of Lord Buddha. He traveled to different cities and villages of the country singing praises of Buddha and playing Veena and propagated Buddhism in different parts of the country.
2. Nagarjuna - He was a friend and contemporary of the Satavahana king Yagya Sri Gautami Putra (166-196) of Andhra. He propounded the secondary school of Buddhist philosophy which is commonly known as 'Nihilism'.
3. Asanga and Vasubandhu - both of them were brothers and were famous Buddhist monks of Punjab in the first century AD. Asanga was an important teacher of the Yogachara or Vijnanavada school founded by his guru Maitreyanath. Abhidhamma Kosha, the greatest work of Vasubandha, is considered to be the encyclopedia of Buddhism.
4. Buddhaghosa - was a great scholar of the Pali language of the 5th century AD. His written book 'Vishuddhimagga' is the main book of the Hinayana sect.
5. Buddhapalita and Bhavaviveka – both of them were important commentators on the nihilism propounded by Nagarjuna in the 5th century.
6. Dingnaag - This 5th century is well-known as the originator of the logic of Buddhism. He wrote about 100 treatises on logic. He is often referred to as the father of medieval justice.
7. Dharmakirti- He was a great Buddhist politician of the 7th century, he was a subtle philosophical thinker and a linguistic scientist. His works are considered to be topmost in the epistemological thought of late Buddhism, accepting his unique talent, Dr. Stretch Vatsco has described him as 'Bharat Kant'...
Reasons for the spread of Buddhism
1. Attractive and influential personality of Mahatma Buddha.
2. Simplicity of Buddhism.
3. Use of Pali language.
4. Support all four characters.
5. State patronage.
6. Contribution of Buddhist Sangha.
7. Liberal donations by the then traders and moneylenders
Reasons for the Decline of Buddhism
1. Discrimination in the Buddhist Sangha and the division of its followers into different sects.
2. Adoption of rituals and rituals by Buddhism.
3. Making Sanskrit the medium of language.
4. Luxury and adultery in Buddhist monasteries.
5. Harsh reaction of rulers like Pushyamitra Sunga towards Buddhism.
6. Reforms in Brahmin religion.
7. Admission of women to the Sangha - Buddha once said to his favorite disciple Ananda- "If women had not been allowed to enter the Viharas, this religion would have lasted for a thousand years. But when women were given the right to enter, now it only Will last for five hundred years."
8. Invasion of Turks - Bakhtiyar Khilji attacked and destroyed Nalanda and Vikramshila universities in 1203 AD.
Comparison of Jainism and Buddhism
Both Mahavira and Buddha were contemporaries. Many similarities are found in the sermons of both. Both of them unhesitatingly started their sermon with the belief that this world is full of suffering and that man's salvation i.e. Nirvana means his liberation from the eternal cycle of life and death. Both took their basic principles from the Upanishads. Both did not accept the existence of God.
Both of them emphasized pure and moral living, especially compassion for animals or non-violence. Both emphasized that a man's future births are affected by his good deeds and bad deeds and ultimately his attainment of Nirvana depends on these deeds.
Both preached their religion in the language of the common people, and in the end, both encouraged the idea of renunciation of the world and formed the order of monks and nuns, but we can find their own characteristics in the historical origin of both of them. Let's find
There is a difference in their basic beliefs about salvation or nirvana and some other subjects as well. For example, the Jain concept of the soul is different from the Buddhist concept. Second, Jainism gave more emphasis to Yati Dharma asceticism and followed it very strictly, while Buddha condemned it and asked his disciples to follow the middle path.
In addition, the Buddha condemned the practice of living naked outdoors, and the Jain attitude of nonviolence toward animals was more extreme than that of the Buddhists.
It can be said that Buddhism spread rapidly to other parts of the world within 500 years but Jainism never spread beyond the limits of India. Buddhism, on the other hand, has largely died out in India, the country of its origin. But Jainism is still strong in India and its influence and supremacy are established over a large population.
