Summary Notes For Art and Culture

Buddhism

  • Buddhism is the 4th largest religion in the World
  • 7% of the World’s Population believes and follows Buddhism
  • 0.7% of the India’s Population Follows Buddhism
  • Majority of Buddhists live in Maharashtra

Origin of Buddhism:

  • It is attached to the story of Siddhartha who came to be known as Buddha.
  • Siddhartha was born at Lumbini in 563 BC, to mother Queen Maya and father King Suddhodana of the Sakyan kingdom under Kshatriya Clan on the auspicious day of Vaishakha Purnima
  • The papers include Essay, General Studies (4 papers), and Optional Subject (2 papers).
  • Married to Princess Yashodhara
  • Had a son Named Rahul

Important Events in the life of Siddhartha:

  • He left the House at the age of 29 on his Horse Kanthaka and along with the Charioteer Channa to find the truth of life.
  • Pipal Tree: NIRVANA - Enlightenment
  • 1st Sermon: DHARMA-CHAKRA-PRAVARTANA - Turning the wheel of Law.
    • First five disciples/companions of Buddha (at Sarnath)
    • Kaudinya
    • Bhadrika
    • Vashpa
    • Mahanaman
    • Ashvajit
  • Death: MAHAPARINIRVANA at Kushinagar
    • At the age of 80 years
  • Contemporary to: Bimbisara, Ajatashatru of Haryanka Dynasty.
  • Buddha is also known as: Tathagata and Sakyamuni
    • The predecessor of Buddha was Kassapa Buddha and
    • The successor will be Maitreya (Future Buddha)
  • Triratnas of Buddhism:
    • Buddha - Enlightened
    • Dhamma - Teachings of Buddha
    • Sangha - Monastic Order
  • Major Noble Truths:
    • 1. The truth of Suffering - Dukkha
    • 2. The truth of the origin of Suffering - Samudaya
    • 3. The truth of the cessation of Suffering - Nirodha
    • 4. The truth of the path to the cessation of suffering - Marga
  • Noble Eightfold Path
    • 1. Right Speech - Kind, Truthful
    • 2. Right Action - Honest, Peaceful
    • 3. Right Livelihood - Does not harm any being
    • 4. Right Effort - Cultivating self-control
    • 5. Right Mindfulness
    • 6. Right Meditation - Concentration on the Meaning of Life
    • 7. Right Thoughts - Worth of sincere and intelligent man
    • 8. Right Understanding - Avoid Superstitions
  • Budda Teaches Middle Path (MADHYAM MARG) for the Salvation
  • Buddhism Rejects the Authenticity of Vedas and Existence of Soul (ATMA)

The Four Buddhist Councils:

Buddhist Councils Place & Year Patronage by & Chairman of the Council Details
1st At Rajgir, 483 BC King - Ajatashatru Upali - Vinaya Pitaka (Rules of Buddhist Order) Anand & Others - Sutta Pitaka (Sermons of Buddha on Ethical Beliefs)
Chairman - Mahakasyapa
2nd At Vaishali, 383 BC King - Kalasoka Mainly about the 10 Disputed points of vinaya Pitaka
Chairman - Sabakami
3rd At Pataliputra, 250 BC King - Ashoka Compilation of Abhidhamma Pitaka
Chairman - Moggalipitta Tissa
4th At Kundalavana, Kashmir, 72 AD King - kanishka Here, Two sects of Buddhism were emerged: Hinayana, Mahayana
Chairman - Vasumitra

Buddhist Schools:

  • 1. Early Buddhist Schools
    • Sthavira Nikaya
    • Mahasamghika
    • Other Sub-Sects:
      • Hemavatika
      • Rajagiriya
      • Siddhatthaka
      • Pubbaseliya
      • Aparaseliya
      • Apararajagirika
  • 2. Hinayana Buddhism
    • It Means Lesser Vehicle
    • Orthodox School - they won't Believe in idol worship of God Ashoka Patronised
    • Pali Language
    • Subsect: Theravada Buddhism
      • Ultimate goal is to cessation of the Kleshas and Attainment of Sublim
      • state of Nirvana by Noble Eightfold Path
      • 35% of Buddhists Follow this
      • Practiced in Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, Mayanmar
  • 3. Mahayana Buddhism
    • It means Greater vehicle
    • They believes in Heavenliness of Buddha and Bodhisattvas
    • Ultimate aim is Spiritual upliftment
    • They believe in idol worship
    • Sanskrit Language
    • They believe in universal liberation from suffering of all beings.
    • Prominent in Nepal, Bangladesh, Japan, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Mongolia, China, Bhutan, Tibet, etc.
  • 4. Vajrayana Buddhism (Tantric Buddhism)
    • It is influenced by Hinduism
    • Deity - Tara
    • Believes in Tantras, Mantras, Yantras —> Faster vehicle to liberation
    • 5.7% of the Buddhist Population belives in this.
    • Prominent in Tibet, Bhutan, Mondolia, Kalmykia

Prominent Bodhisattvas under Buddhism:

  • 1. Avalokitesvara: Holding Lotus Flower - Padmapani
    • Ajanta Cave Painting
  • 2. Vajrapani Ajanta Caves
    • Manifests all the powers od Buddha as well as all 5 Tathagatas: Vairocana, Akshobya, Amitabha, Ratnasambhava and Amoghasiddhi.
  • 3. Manjusri
    • Wisdom of Buddha
    • Male Bodhisattva with a sword in this hand.
    • Ajanta Caves
  • 4. Samanthabhadra
  • 5. Ksitigarbha
  • 6. MaitreyaFuture Buddha
    • Laughing Buddha is the Incarnation of Maitreya
  • 7. Akasagarbha
  • 8. Tara
    • Vajrayana Buddhism
  • 9. Vasudhara
  • 10. Skanda
  • 11. Sitatapatra