read about rise of buddhism and jainism

RISE OF BUDDHISM AND JAINISM

In this blog we will read about tha rise of Buddhism and Jainism. 

Buddhism

It was founded by Gautam Buddha (Sakyamuni or Tathagat) known originally as Siddhartha.

Buddhism stands on three pillars, which are as follow

• Buddha - The enlightened
• Dhamma -  The doctrine
• Sangha - Order of Buddhist monks and nuns

Buddha's Life

• He was born in 563 BC (widely accepted) in a sal groove of Lumbini garden in Kapilavastu. His mother was Mahamaya (a Kosalan princess).

• Father's name was Suddhodana (of Sakya tribe).

• Buddha's name was Siddhartha and gotra was Gautama. His mother died after 7 days of his birth and he was brought up by Mahaprajapati Gautami.

• Devadutta was his cousin. Buddha's wife was Yashodhara and his son was Rahul. Buddha chariot was Channa and favourite horse was Kanthak.

• He was moved by the misery, which people suffered in the world and looked for its solution. He left home at the age of 29 and the incident came to be known as Mahabhinishkramana- 'great going forth'.

• He first became a disciple of Alara Kalam. Kalam was the specialist of Samakhya philosophy.

• After sometime, he left Alara and joined Rudraka. From there, he went to Uruvela and practised great penance.

• His conception of religion was purely ethical Buddha got enlightenment under the pipal tree known as Bodhi tree at Gaya in Bihar. According to Buddha, soul is a myth.

• He gave his first sermon at Sarnath (ancient name was Rishipattan). First sermon became famous by the name of Dharma Chakrapravartan (or the turning of wheel of law)

• He spent his last days near Vaishali. At Pava, a man named Chunda fed him pork, after eating it Buddha died of dysentery at the age of 80 in 483 BC

• His death was known Mahaparinirvana Le, final blowing out. In the outskirts of Kushinagar is the capital of Mallas. His favourite disciple was Ananda.

Teachings of Buddha

Four Noble Truths (Arya Satyas)

The world is full of sorrows Sabbam Dukham.

The cause of sorrow is desire Dwadash Nidan/Pratitya Samutpada. 

Cessation of sorrow (Dukkha Nirodha).

The path leading to the cessation of sorrow (Dukha Nirodhagamini Pratipad) is the 8-fold path Ashtangika Marga.

The second truth, is based on Buddha's doctrine of Paticheha samutpada or Pratitya samutpada ie, law of dependent origination or causation.

Eight-fold Path (Ashtangika Marga)

1. Right understanding     ii. Right thought

iii. Right speech                  iv. Right action

v. Right livelihood              vi. Right effort 

vii. Right mindfulness       viii. Right concentration

Three Jewels ( Triratnas ) 

i. Buddha (the enlightened)   ii. Dhamma (doctrine) iii. Sangha (order)

Code of Conduct

i. Do not convert the property of others

ii. Do not commit violence

iii. Do not use intoxicants

iv. Do not tell a lie

v. Do not indulge in corrupt practices

Belief in Nirvana

Also known as moksha or salvation, it refers to belief in the concept of ultimate bliss, whereby the person gets freedom from the cycle of birth and death.

Belief in Ahimsa

Law of Karma and Madhya Marga/Madhyama Pratipada (the middle path).

Buddhist Councils

• First Council (483BC) It was held at Sattapanni (Saptaharni) cave near Rajagriba under the chirmanship of Maha Kassapa. Here Vinava Pitaka and Sutta Pitaka were compiled by Upali and Ananda respectively. Ajatibatyn was the king at that rime.

• Second Council (383 BC) It was held at Vaishali During the reign of Kalashoka, the king of Shishunaga aga dynasty. dynasty. The Chairman was Sabakami. The monk of Vaishali wanted some changes in the rites. The council led to division into Sthavirsadını od Mahasanghikas.

• Third Council (250 BC) It was held at Patalipatra during the reign of Asboka (the Mauryan ruler). This council was held under the presidentship of Mogaliputta Tissa, to revise the Buddhist texts.

• Fourth Council (AD 72) It was held during the reign of Kanishka (the Kushana ruler) in Kasbmir under the presidentship of Vasumitra and Ashwaghosha. Buddhism was divided into Hinayana and Mahayana.

Buddhist Sects

• During Kaniska time, buddhist religion clearly got vided between Hinayana and Mahayana buddhism.

• Hinayana buddhism believes in original philosophy and ideologies of Mahatma Buddha, whereas believers of Mahayana buddhism apart from believing in Buddha also have faith in life and teachings of bodhisattva

• Bodhisattva help others in attainment of nirvana. Nagarjuna propounded the main tenets of Mahayana Buddhism.

• Vajrayana, is a form of tantric buddhism that tends to favour fierce deities and significantly expanded the bodhisattva pantheon. It employs mantras, mandalas and other rituals.

Buddhist Literature

In Buddha texts, the most famous is 'Tripitaka, as mentioned below

• Vinaya Pitaka It contains the rules and regulations of monastic discipline for monks. An account of the life and teaching of the Buddha is also given.

• Sutta Pitaka Few discourses delivered by many Buddhist scholars like Sariputta, Ananda and others are given in it. It lays down the principles of Buddhism. It is a collection of Buddha's sermon and is divided into five groups.

• Abhidhamma Pitaka Having the philosophy of Buddha's teachings, it investigates mind and matter to help the understanding of things as they truly are.

Jainism

Jainism is one of the three major religions of early India. Its name derives from the word Jina, meaning 'Liberator or Victor'. There are 24 Tirthankaras, who are considered to be the creator of Jain religion. Their path is to provide total fearless life and that of non-violence and to distribute love and friendship. The first Tirthankar was Rishabhadev, 23rd was Parshvanath and 24th was Mahavira. Mahavira is considered as actual founder of Jain religion.

Mahavir

• Vardhamana (Mahavira) was the 24th and last Tirthankara of the Jain tradition. He was born in 540 BC at Kundagrama near Vaishali.

• His father Siddhartha was the head of a famous Kshatriya clan, and his mother was named Trishala sister of the Lichchhavi Princess Chief Chetaka, whose daughter was wedded to Bimbisara.

• At the age of 30, he became an ascetic and wandered for 12 years of his penance, he attained the highest spiritual knowledge called Kevala Gnana. Thereafter, he was called Mahavira and Jina.

• Mahavira attained Kaivalya (perfect knowledge) under sal tree, near village Jimbhikagrama on the bank of the river Rijupalika.

• The followers of Mahavira were called Jains and his religion became Jainism, he preached his doctrines for 30 years. He died at the age of 72 at Pavapuri near Rajgir in 486 BC

• After the death of Mahavira, there was a serious famine in the Ganges valley at the period of Chandragupta Maurya reign. This famine led the division of Jain ime two sects Le. Svetambers and Digambaras.

• During famine many monk under Bhadrabahu, migrated to South alongwith Chandragupta Maurya and came to Saravana Belgola in Karnataka. They maintained nudity and called themselves as Digambaras (Sky-clad or Naked).

• On the other side, those who stayed back in North were led by Sthulabahu and allowed wearing white garments and called themselves as Svetambers (White-clad)

• In Jainism, three Ratnas are given arid they are called the way of Nirvana.

Right faith - Samyak Vishwas

Right knowledge - Samyak Gyan

Right conduct - Samyak Karma

 

Preachings of Mahavira or the Principles of Jainism

• Rejected the authority of the Vedas and the Vedic rituals. Did not believe in the existence of God.

• Attainment of salvation (Moksha) by believing in penance and dying of starvation.

• Laid great emphasis on equality or universal brotherhood.

There are five main teachings of Jainism, which are as follow

1. Non-injury (Ahimsa)

II. Non-lying (Satya)

iii. Non-possession (Aparigraha)

iv. Non-stealing (Asteya)

v. Observe continence (Brahmacharya)

• The first four principles were given by Parsavanath and fifth one te., Brahmacharya was added by Mahavira.

Jain Councils

• First Council was held at Pataliputra (Bihar) by Sthulabhadra, in the beginning of the 3rd century BC and resulted in the compilation of 12 Angas to replace 14 Purvas.

• Second Council was held at Vallabhi (Gujarat) in the AD 512 under the leadership of Devardhi and resulted in final compilation of 12 Angas and 12 Upangas.

Jain Literature

The sacred books of the Jainas are known as Siddhanta or Agama.

The six sacred books of Jainas include

1. Twelve Angas            2. Twelve Upangas

3. Ten Prikarnas           4. Six Chheda Sutras

5. Four Mulasutras       6. Two Sutra Granthas

• It is written in Prakrit language or form of Prakrit called Ardhamagadhi. Svetambaras believed in the first five literatures.

• Among the Jaina writers, the most important were Bhadrabahu (Kalpa-sutra), Siddhasena, Divakara, Manibhadra, Siddha, Hemachandra (Parisista Parvan), Nayachandra and Mallinath. The Jainas wrote narrative literature, poems, novels, dramas and hymns.