Buddhism &Jainism

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Buddhism

Buddhism was founded by Gautama Buddha. Buddha was born as Prince Siddhartha at Lumbini near Kapilavastu (in

present Nepal) in 563 BC. He was the son of Suddhodhana and Mahamaya. Suddhodhana was

the chief of the Sakya clan. Due to this, Buddha was also known as

‘Sakyamuni’. His mother died either giving birth to him or after seven days. Siddhartha

was brought up by his maternal aunt, Prajapati Gautami. This gave

him the name ‘Gautama’. He was married to Yashodhara and had a son, Rahula. He left his home at the age of 29 to become an ascetic. This event is

called Mahabhishkramana. The idea of renunciation occurred to the Buddha after he saw four

different states of man – sick man, old man, corpse and ascetic. Buddha wandered for seven years and at the age of 35 attained

enlightenment at Uruvela while meditating under a banyan tree on

the banks of the river Niranjana. This tree came to be known as ‘Bodhi

tree’ and the place became Bodh Gaya (in Bihar). He gave his first sermon at Sarnath near Varanasi. This event is called

Dharmachakra Pravartana/ Dhammachakkappavattana. He died in 483 BC under a Sal tree in Kushinagar (in UP). This event is

called the Mahaparinirvana. The term ‘Buddha’ means ‘enlightened one’. First Buddhist Council was at Sattapani RajGriha in 483 BC just after

the death of Buddha. It was presided by Mahakassapa Upali. At this

council, Ananda composed the Suttapitaka (Buddha’s Teachings) and

Mahakassapa composed the Vinaypitaka (monastic code). Third Council was at Paatliputra around 250 BC presided by

Mogaliputta Tissa under the patronage of Ashoka. Main objective was

to purify Buddhism from opportunistic factions and corruption in the

Sangha. Buddhist missionaries were sent to other countries. Fourth Council was held in kundalvana of Kashmir in the 1st century

AD and was presided by Vasumitra helped by Asvaghosha. Here, Abhidhamma texts were translated from Prakrit to Sanskrit. In the fourth council Buddhism was devided into two sects : Hinyan and

Mahayan. Mahayana sect believed in idol worship, rituals and

Boddhisattvas. They regarded the Buddha as God. Hinayana continued

the original teachings and practices of the Buddha. They adhere to the

scriptures written in Pali while the Mahayana includes Sanskrit

scriptures as well. China adopted Buddhism in 1st century AD

Five Great Events of Buddha’s Life and their symbols

Birth – Lotus & Bull • Great Renunciation- Horse • Nirvana – Bodhi

Tree • First Sermon – Dharma Chakra • Death – Stupa

Famous Bikshuks of Budhdhism:

Sariputra • Ananda • Mahakassapa • Annuradha • Upali • Rahul

There are four noble truths of Buddhism:

AThe world is full of sorrow

B.Desire is the cause of sorrow

C.If desire is conquered all sorrow is won over

D. Desire can be conquered by following

The Eight Fold Path is as follows:

Samyak Drist : Right Understanding

Samyak Sankalpa: Right Thought

Samyak Vani: Right Speech

Samyak Karma : Right Action

Samyak Ajiv: Right Livelihood

Samyak Vyayam: Right Efforts

Samyak Smriti: Right Mindfulness

Samyak Samadhi: Right Concentration

The highest ambition of life according to Buddha is Nirvana

Dhammapad is known as Gita of Buddhism which is canonical text of

Buddhism. Anand was the dearest disciple of Buddha

Nagarjuna was a south Indian Buddhism Philosopher who spread the

theory of void or Shunyata

The most important sources of Buddhism are the Tripitakas /

Tipitakas written in Pali language. They are:

Sutta Pitaka

Vinaya Pitaka

Abhidhamma Pitaka

Dhammapada: a part of the Khuddaka Nikaya of the Sutta Pitaka. It

contains a collection of the sayings of the Buddha in verse form

Milinda Panha: Literal meaning in Pali – Questions of Milinda. It was

written around 100 BC. It contains a dialogue between the Indo-Greek

King Menander I or Milinda of Bactria and sage Nagasena where Milinda

asks questions on Buddhism to the sage. Buddhacharita: it is an epic poem composed in Sanskrit by

Ashvaghosha in early 2nd century AD. It is about the life 

of the Buddha.

Upagupta converted Ashoka to Buddhism. Vasubandu is known as Second Ashoka

Ashoka is known as Constantine of Buddhism. Ashoka accepted Buddhism after the Battle of Kalinga in 261 BC

Buddhist worshipping Centre is known as Pagoda

Viharas are the Buddhist Monestries

Vajrayana was a sect of Buddhism which believed in achieving salvation

through Mantra and Spells

‘Jataka Stories’ describe the stories related to Birth of Buddha. They are

500 in number. ‘Milandapanho’ a book of Nagasena describes how Greek King

Menandar accepted Buddhism. Buddha is also known as ‘Light of Asia’. He was named such by Edvin

Arnold.

 Jainism

The Jain tradition has a succession of great teachers or

Tirthankaras.There were 24 Tirthankaras the last of which was

Vardhaman Mahavira. The first Tirthankara is believed to be

Rishabhanath or Rishabhadev. The 23rd Tirthankara was Parshvanatha

who was born in Varanasi. All the Tirthankaras were Kshatriyas by birth. The symbol of Rishabdev was Bull or Ox. The symbol of Parshvanatha

and Mahavira was snake and lion respectively. Mahavira was born in 599 BC near Vaishali in Kundagrama. Mahavira

belonged to Jnantrik Dynasty. He got enlightened under a Sal Tree.He

got kaivalya (death) on the bank of Rijupalika River.Name of his mother

was Trishala who was sister of the King Chetak of Lichchavi. Sudharaman was the chief of Jainism after death of Mahavira.Final

compilation of Mahavira teachings took place in 5th or 6th century AD. Jain works were compiled in Vallabhi. There are five categories of devotees in Jainism:

Tirthankara : One who has attained Nirvana

Arhat : One who is about to attain nirvana

Upadhaya: Saint Teacher Acharya : Head of the Ascetic Group

Sadhu :- Rest Public

First Jain Council was in 300BC under the chairmanship of

Sthulbhadra. Second jain council was at Vallabhi in 512 AD. Vallabhi is in Modern

Gujrat and was headed by Devardhi Kshamasemana. Somprata who was Ashoka’s son had accepted Jainism. Supreme Principal in Jainism is Ahimsa or non violence. The ultimate

goal is realization of Nirvana which is called kaivalya.

There are five vows of Jainism:

Ahimsa (Non-violence) • Satya (truth) • Achaurya or Asteya

(non-stealing) • Brahmacharya (Celibacy) • Aparigraha (Non-attachment

to temporal possession

There are Three Tri-Ratnas of Jainism. Samyak Gyan, Samyak

Darshan and Samyak Acharan. There are 12 angas of Jainism. There are 18 crimes in Jainism. Bhadrabahu wrote Nirukitis, the doctrine of Jainism. Kalpsutra is the biography of Tirthankara in Jainism. Jinasena and Guna Bhadra composed Mahapurana. Tatwarthadhigam was composed by Uma swami. Mahavira didn’t believe in the existence of God. Jains believe that every

soul is divine and has the potential to achieve God-consciousness. Any

soul which has conquered its own inner enemies and achieved the state of

supreme being is called jina (Conqueror or Victor). Jainism is the path to

achieve this state. Jain Sangha is devided into two main sects Digambar and Svetambar. Digambars remain nude and Svetambar remain in white clothes. Mahavir

swami gave suggestion to the Digambara to remain nude. Jain Fasting :

Uttam: Renounce all worldly things including food & water on the day

of fasting and eat only once on the eve & next day of fasting. Madhyam: Food & water is not taken on the day of fast. Jaghanya: Eat only once on the day. During fasting a person immerses himself in religious activities

(worshiping, serving the saints & be in their proximity, reading

scriptures, Tapa, and donate to the right Candidates - Supatra)

Eight auspicious symbols (The Asta Mangalas):- Their names are (in series of pictures)

Swastika -Signifies peace and well-being

Shrivatsa -A mark manifested on the centre of the Jina’s chest, signifying

a pure soul. Nandyavartya -Large swastika with nine corners

Vardha-manaka -A shallow earthen dish used for lamps, suggests an

increase in wealth, fame and merit due to Jina’s grace

Bhadrasana -Throne, considered auspicious because it is sanctified by the

blessed Jina’s feet. Kalasha -Pot filled with pure water signifying wisdom and completeness

Minayugala -A fish couple. It signifies Cupid’s banners coming to

worship the Jina after defeating the God of Love Darpana -The mirror

reflects one’s