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Buddhism
Introduction
► Buddhism is based upon the teachings, life experiences of its founder Siddhartha Gautam, born in 563 BCE.
► He was born into royal family of Sakya Clan who ruled from Kapilvastu, in Lumbini situated near the
Indo-Nepal Border.
► At the age of 29, Gautama left home and rejected his life of riches.
► After 49 consecutive days of meditation, he attained Bodhi (enlightenment) under a Pipal tree at
Bodhgaya.
► Buddha gave his first sermon in the village of Sarnath, near the city of Benaras in UP.
► This event is known as Dharma-Chakra Pravartana (turning of the wheel of law)
► He died at the age of 80 in 483 BCE at a place called Kushinagar (UP). The event is known as
Mahaparinibban.

Buddha
• Gautama Buddha is also known with his names like Siddhartha, Sakyamuni, and Tathagata.
• He was born in the year 563 BC (widely accepted).
• He was born on the Vaisakha Purnima day at Lumbini, near Kapilvastu, the capital of the Sakya republic.
• He left home at the age of 29 which is called Mahabhinishkaramn after watching the four signs in the
outside world:
• An aged man
• A sick man
• A dead man
• A religious ascetic
• He left the palace on his favourite horse, Kanthaka for a life dedicated to learning how to overcome
suffering.
• After 49 consecutive days of meditation, he attained Nirvana at the age of 35 on the bank of Niranjana River
at Bodh Gaya, India. This is called Sambodhi.
• His first sermon was delivered at Sarnath. This event is known as the Dharma-Chakra-Pravartana (turning of
the wheel of law).
• His teachers were Alarakama and UdrakaRamputra
• His First female pupil was Gautami Prajapati.
• Gautam Buddha attained Mahaparinirvana at Kusinara in 483 BC at the age of 80.

Life Events of Gautam Buddha

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Five forms that represent Buddha are:

• Lotus and Bull – Birth
• Horse – Renunciation
• Bodhi Tree – Mahabodhi
• Dhammachakra Pravartana – First sermon
• Footprints – Nirvana

Buddha’s Life Story

Doctrine of Buddhism
► The core of Buddha’s doctrine is expressed in the Ariya-Sacchani (four noble truths), Ashtangika-
Marga (Eight Fold Path), Middle Path, Social Code of Conduct, and Attainment of Nibbana/Nirvana.
► The three pillars of his teachings are:
• Buddha – Founder/Teacher
• Dhamma – Teachings
• Sangha – Order of Buddhist Monks and Nuns (Upasakas)

The four noble truths

► Dukhas – The truth of suffering
► Samudaya – The truth of the cause of suffering
► Trishna (desire) is the main cause of the suffering.
► Nirodh – The truth of the end of suffering
► It can be ended by the attainment of the Nirvana/Nibbana.
► Ashtangika Marga – The truth of the path leading to the end of suffering.

Eight-Fold Paths
► It is more about unlearning rather than learning. The Ashtangika-Marga consists of the following:
► Right Vision (samma-Ditthi)
► Right thought or attitude (Samma-Sankappa)
► Right speech (Samma-Vacca)
► Right or Integral Action (Samma-Kammanta)
► Right Livelihood (Samma-Ajiva)
► Right Energy (Samma-Vayama)
► Right Mindfulness or Thorough Awareness (Samma-Sati)
► Right Concentration or Meditation (Samma-Samadhi)

Essence of Buddhism
► Attainment of enlightenment is the essence of the Buddhism. There is no supreme god or deity in
Buddhism.
► The ultimate goal of Buddhism was the attainment of the Nibbana.
• Buddha also established code of conduct both for the monastic order and the laymen to follow which are
also known as the Five Precepts or Pancasil and refrain from them.

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• Violence
• stealing
• sexual misconduct
• lying or gossip
• taking intoxicating substances e.g. drugs or drink

Buddhist Literature
• The Buddha's teaching was oral. He taught for 45 years, adapting the teaching to suit the group he was
addressing.
• The Sangha memorized the teachings, and there were group recitations at festivals and special
occasions.
• The teachings were rehearsed and authenticated at the First Council and were divided in Three Pitakas in
483 BC.
• His teachings were written down around 25 B.C.E. in Pali.

Three Pitakas
► Tripitaka forms the base of Buddhist literature. It consists of
► Sutta Pitaka,
► Vinay Pitaka and
► Abhidhamma Pitaka
► Sutta Pitaka
► It consists of the main teaching or Dhamma of Buddha. It is divided into five Nikayas or collections:
► Digha Nikaya, Majjhima Nikaya, Samyutta Nikaya, Anguttara Nikaya and Khuddaka Nikaya.
► Vinay Pitaka: It consists of rules of conduct and discipline applicable to the monastic life of the monks and
nuns.
► The Abhidamma Pitaka: It is a philosophical analysis and systematization of the teaching and the scholarly
activity of the monks.
► Other important Buddhist texts include Divyavadana, Dipavamsa, Mahavamsa, Milind Panha, etc.

Other Literature
► Jataka Folklore: Stories related to birth of Buddha. In Chinese they are called SADOK.
► Milindapanha: Questions of Milinda that is Greek King Meander and answers of Buddhist monk Nagasena.

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► The Mahavastu Granth describes the life of Mahatama Buddha in detail. It is written in the Sanskrit
language. It is related to the Hinayana sect.
► Abhidharmakosa is called the “encyclopedia of Buddhism”. This book was composed by Vasubandhu.
► Ashvaghosha was the writer of “Buddhacharita”. He was the contemporary of Kaniska.
► Dinnanga is considered the founder of Buddhist logic.
► Dharmakriti was another Buddhist logician.

Different schools of Buddhism

► Buddhism has different schools
► Mahayana
► Hinayana
► Theravada
► Vajrayana
► Zen

Disciples of Gautam Buddha

► There are two chief disciples of Buddha. They are Sariputta and Mahamoggallan.
► Sariputta: Buddha called him the “General of Dhamma”
► Mahamoggallana: The other chief disciple of Buddha is Mahamoggallana.
► He is believed to possess supernatural powers and knew tantras.
► Although Buddha discouraged the practice of tantra, he never discouraged Mahamoggallana.
► He used his tantric powers to preach Dhamma.
► In the Mahayana tradition, the Ulambana festival is devoted to him.

Other disciples
► The list of Buddhist disciples is long but some of them were the first to show the way to serve Buddhism.
► Sariputta,
► Mahamoggallana
► Mahakasyapa
► Subhuti
► Ananda
► Aniruddha
► Purna
► Upali
► Mahakasyapa
► He presided over the first Buddhist Council and is considered a peer of Ananda
► He is often seen standing beside Buddha along with Ananda.
► Subhuti
► Subhuti was known as foremost in understanding the doctrine of emptiness.
► He is mentioned in an important teaching of Prajaparamita of Mahayana Buddhism.
► Ananda
► Chief attendant of Buddha.
► He was also a cousin of Buddha.
► Ananda was often hailed as the Guardian of Dhamma.
► Aniruddha
► He was a cousin of Buddha
► He is considered as a loyal and affectionate Bhikku who served Gautama Buddha with complete
devotion.
► He is one of the five chief disciples of Buddha.
► In the Jataka tales, Anuruddha is the person who describes the previous incarnations of Buddha.
► Upali
► He was the royal barber who successfully passed all the stages of Jhana and was ordained by Buddha
even before the princes.

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► Upali’s joining the Buddha Marga is of great importance as he belonged to a lower caste.
► However, after ordination he became an arahant and preached the Buddhist principles.

Purna
► He became one of the chief disciples of Buddha because of his dedication.
► He was one of the greatest orators in Buddhist history.
► As a result he could easily deliver Buddhist sermons among the common people.
► He was thus one of the greatest arahants and he attained nirvana too.
Rahula
► Rahula was the only son of Sakyamuni Buddha.
► He is also one of the ten Great Disciples of Lord Buddha.
► He became a monk when he was a child and achieved Enlightenment at the young age of 18 years.

Important Buddhist Scholars

► Moggaliputta Tissa: Launched Ashoka’s Dhamma campaign.
► Asvagosha: Wrote Buddhacharita and Sanskrit drama Sariputra Prakran (Sariputra the disciple of Buddha).
► Nagarjuna: Founded Madhyamika school of Mahayan Buddhism, gave theory of Sunyavad Emptiness and
important work include “Mulamadhyamakakarika”.
► Buddhagosh: Most important commentator of Theravada, important work is Visuddimagga.
► Dharmakirti: Teacher at Nalanda, called as “kant of India”.

Code of Conduct
► Buddha also established code of conduct both for the monastic order and the laymen to follow which are
also known as the Five Percepts or Pancasil and refrain from them.
► Violence,
► Stealing,
► Sexual misconduct,
► Lying or gossip,
► Taking intoxicating substances eg. Drugs or drink.

Mahayana
• The term Mahayana is a Sanskrit word which literally means "Great Vehicle".
• It believes in the heavenliness of Buddha and Idol worship of Buddha and Bodhisattvas embodying Buddha
Nature.
• It originated in northern India and Kashmir and then spread east into Central Asia, East Asia and some areas
of Southeast Asia.
• Buddhist schools embedded in China, Korea, Tibet and Japan belong to the Mahayana tradition.

Hinayana
• Literally Lesser vehicle, It believes in the original teaching of Buddha or Doctrine of elders.
• It does not believe in Idol worship and tries to attain individual salvation through self discipline and
meditation.
• Theravada is a Hinayana sect.

Theravada
• It is the most ancient branch of extant Buddhism today.
• It remains closest to the original teachings of the Buddha.
• Theravada Buddhism developed in Sri Lanka and subsequently spread to the rest of Southeast Asia.
• It is the dominant form of religion in Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, and Thailand.

Vajrayana
• Vajrayana means “The Vehicle of the Thunderbolt”, also known as tantric Buddhism.
• This Buddhist school developed in India around 900 CE.

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• It is grounded on esoteric elements and very complex set of rituals compared with the rest of the
Buddhist schools.

Zen
• It is a school of Mahayana Buddhism that originated in China during the Tang dynasty as the Chan school of
Chinese Buddhism in and later developed into various schools.
• It spread to Japan in 7th century C.E.
• Meditation is the most distinctive feature of this Buddhist tradition.

How did Buddhism Spread in Ancient India?

• Buddha had two kinds of disciples – monks (Bhikshus) and lay worshippers (Upasikas).
• The monks were organized into the Sangha for the purpose of spreading his teachings.
• The Sangha was governed on democratic lines and was empowered to enforce discipline among its
members.
• Owing to the organised efforts made by the Sangha, Buddhism made rapid progress in North India even
during Buddha’s life time.

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• After the death of Buddha, his followers traversed on his path of meditation and roamed throughout the
countryside.

What is the contribution of Buddhism to Indian Culture?

► The contribution to the art and architecture of India was notable. The stupas at Sanchi, Bharhut and Gaya
are wonderful pieces of architecture.
► It promoted education through residential universities like those at Taxila, Nalanda and Vikramsila.
► The language of Pali and other local languages developed through the teachings of Buddhism.
► It had also promoted the spread of Indian culture to other parts of Asia.

Mudras in Buddhism
► A Buddha image can have one of several common mudras, combined with different asanas.
► Mudras are a non-verbal mode of communication and self-expression, consisting of hand gestures and finger
postures.
► The significance of these mudras can be gauged from the fact that each of the five transcendental (Dhyani)
Buddhas is assigned one of these mudras, and they are invariably depicted in visual arts with this particular
mudra only.
► The five Buddhas are Aksobhya, Amitabha, Amoghasiddhi, Ratnasambhava, and Vairocana.
► Each represent a different aspect of enlightened consciousness to aid in spiritual transformation.

Dharmachakra Mudra
► Dharmachakra in Sanskrit means the ‘Wheel of Dharma’
► This mudra symbolizes, the occasion when Buddha preached to his
companions the first sermon after his Enlightenment in the Deer Park
at Sarnath.
► The three extended fingers of the left hand symbolize the Three Jewels
of Buddhism, namely, the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha.
► This mudra is displayed by the first Dhyani Buddha Vairochana.
► Vairochana is believed to transform the delusion of ignorance into the
wisdom of reality.

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Bhumisparsha Mudra
• Literally Bhumisparsha translates into 'touching the earth'.
• It is more commonly known as the 'earth witness' mudra.
► This mudra, formed with all five fingers of the right hand extended to touch the
ground, symbolizes the Buddha's enlightenment under the bodhi tree, when he
summoned the earth goddess, Sthavara, to bear witness to his attainment of
enlightenment.
► It is in this posture that Shakyamuni overcame the obstructions of Mara while
meditating on Truth.
► The second Dhyani Buddha Akshobhya is depicted in this mudra.
► He is believed to transform the delusion of anger into mirror-like wisdom.

Varda Mudra
• This mudra symbolizes charity, compassion, and boon-granting.
• It is the Mudra of the accomplishment of the wish to devote oneself to human
salvation.
• Ratnasambhava, the third Dhyani Buddha displays this mudra.
► The five extended fingers in this mudra symbolise the following five perfections:
► Generosity
► Morality
► Patience
► Effort
► Meditative Concentration.

Dhyana Mudra
► It is the gesture of meditation, of the concentration of the Good Law and the Sangha.
► The right hand is placed above the left, with the palms facing upwards, and the
fingers extended.
► This triangle is said to represent the Three Jewels of Buddhism, mentioned above,
namely the Buddha himself, the Good Law, and the Sangha.
► The Dhyana mudra is the mudra of meditation, of concentration on the Good law,
and of the attainment of spiritual perfection.
► This mudra is displayed by the Fourth Dhyani Buddha Amitabha, also known as Amitayus.

Abhay Mudra
► It the “gesture of fearlessness”. It represents protection, peace, benevolence, and the
dispelling of fear.
► The Abhaya mudra is displayed by the fifth Dhyani Buddha, Amoghasiddhi.
► Amoghasiddhi helps in overcoming the delusion of jealousy.
► By meditating on him, the delusion of jealousy is transformed into the wisdom of
accomplishment.

Vitarka Mudra
► The Vitarka mudrā “Mudra of Discussion" is the gesture of discussion
and transmission of Buddhist teaching.
► It is done by joining the tips of the thumb and the index together, and
keeping the other fingers straight very much like the abhaya and varada
mudrās but with the thumbs touching the index fingers.
► This mudra has a great number of variants in Mahayana Buddhism.

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Jnana Mudra
➢ The Jñāna mudrā ("mudra of
wisdom") is done by touching the
tips of the thumb and the index
together, forming a circle, and the
hand is held with the palm inward
toward the heart.
➢ The mudra represents spiritual
enlightenment.

Major Buddhist Pilgrimage Site

► Bodh Gaya
► It is the most important
Buddhist pilgrimage site as
it is the place where
Buddha attained enlightenment under the Bodhi tree.
► Sarnath
► It is the place where Buddha gave his first sermon after attaining enlightenment. The famous
Dhamekh Stupa and Ashoka Pillar are located here.
► Kushinagar
► It is the place where Buddha passed away and achieved Parinirvana. The Mahaparinirvana temple
and the Ramabhar Stupa are the main attractions here.
► Sravasti
► It is an important site as Buddha spent 24 rainy seasons here and performed many miracles.
► The Jetavana monastery, Anandabodhi tree, and Angulimala's stupa are located here.
► Sanchi
► Sanchi Stupa is one of the oldest structures in India that was commissioned by emperor Ashoka in
the 3rd century BC.
► It is located in the Raisen district of Madhya Pradesh.
► UNESCO World Heritage site in 1989.
► Surprisingly, Buddha never came to Sanchi.

Ajanta Caves
► Ajanta is a series of rock-cut caves in the Sahyadri ranges (Western Ghats) on Waghora river near
Aurangabad in Maharashtra.
► Number of Caves: 29 caves (all buddhist)
► The Ajanta caves were inscribed by the Buddhist monks, under the patronage of the Vakataka kings –
Harishena being a prominent one.
► The paintings are generally themed around Buddhism – the life of Buddha and Jataka stories.
► UNESCO Site: The caves were designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1983.

Ellora Caves
► Location: It is located nearly 100 Kms away from Ajanta caves in the Sahyadri range of Maharashtra.
► Number of Caves: It is a group of 34 caves – 17 Brahmanical, 12 Buddhist and 5 Jain.
► UNESCO Site: The Ellora complex was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1983.
► The most remarkable of the cave temples is Kailasa (Kailasanatha; cave 16).
► Rameshwar temple is found in Cave No. 21.

Rajgir and Vaishali

► Rajgir
► It is an important site as Buddha spent several years here and delivered many important sermons.
► The Vulture's Peak, and Saptaparni Cave are located here.
► Vaishali

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► It is an important site as Buddha visited here several times and delivered many important sermons.
► The Ananda Stupa, the Kutagarasala Vihara, and the Coronation tank are located here.

Stupas
► A Stupa is a dome-shaped sacred monument containing relics of the Buddha or other sacred objects. It
holds religious and symbolic significance in Buddhist architecture.
► Originating in India before the 5th century BCE, stupas evolved from simple burial mounds into sacred
Buddhist monuments, becoming central to Buddhist worship and practice.
► The term stupa is mentioned in Rigveda (estuka), Atharvaveda, and other texts, referring to structures
raised on the ground.

Chaitya and Vihara

► Chaityas and Viharas are part of Buddhist architecture.
► Chaitya refers to a prayer hall or shrine with a stupa inside, used for worship.
► Vihara refers to a monastery or residential complex for Buddhist monks.

Bharhut Stupa
► Located in MP.
► A brick stupa was constructed at the site during the time of Ashoka.
► The carvings of these stupas depict the Jataka tales and stories.
► A stone railing was constructed here during the time of Sungas.
► Bharhut stupa is made of red sandstone.

Nagarjunakonda Stupa
► Nagarjunakonda is named after Nagarjuna who was a Buddhist philosopher from Andhra Pradesh in ancient
India.
► Krishna River's banks.
► It belongs to Saka-Satavahana era.
► It reflects Mahayana Buddhism.

Pitalkhora, Maharashtra
► Pitalkhora Caves are a group of 14 rock-cut Buddhist caves on Chandora Hill that date back to the 2nd
century BCE.
► These basalt rock caves
► All of the caves date from the Hinayana period.

Sirpur, Chhattisgarh
► The Sirpur Group of Monuments is an archaeological site in Mahasamund, Chhattisgarh, India, that has
Hindu, Jain, and Buddhist monuments from the 5th to 12th century.
► The site is located along the Mahanadi River’s banks.
► Hieun Tsang, a 7th century Chinese Buddhist pilgrim, paid a visit here.

Udayagiri, Odisha
► The largest Buddhist complex is Udayagiri. It is made of important stupas and monasteries (viharas).
► It is part of the “Diamond Triangle” of the “Ratnagiri-Udayagiri-Lalitgiri” complex. • Udayagiri’s historical
name was “Madhavapura”

Sankisa, Uttar Pradesh

► It is thought to be the location where Buddha descended from heaven after giving teachings to his mother.
► Sankisa is famous for a Bisari Devi shrine and an unearthed Ashoka elephant pillar.
► There is a Buddha Temple, which is said to be where Lord Buddha descended from heaven.
► Temple of Maya Devi.

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Decline of Buddhism
► From the early 12th century, Buddhism began to disappear from the land of its birth. Various causes that led
to its decline of Buddhism are:
► Corruption in Buddhist Sangha: Receiving valuable gifts drew them towards luxury and enjoyment.
► Division among Buddhists: Buddhism faced divisions from time to time. The divisions into various
splinter groups like Hinayana, Mahayana, Vajrayana, Tantrayana and Sahajayana led Buddhism to
lose its originality.
► Use of Sanskrit language: Pali was the medium for the spread of the message of Buddhism. But
Sanskrit replaced these at the Fourth Buddhist Council during the reign of Kanishka.
► Buddha Worship: Image worship was started in Buddhism by the Mahayana Buddhists. They started
worshipping the image of the Buddha.
► This mode of worship was a violation of the Buddhist principles of opposing complex rites and rituals
of Brahmanical worship.
► Persecution of Buddhists: Some Brahmana rulers, such as Pushiyamitra Shunga, the Huna king, Mihirakula
(worshiper of Shiva) and Shaivite Shashank of Gauda persecuted the Buddhists on a large scale.
► Muslim Invasion: Their invasions of India became regular, and repeated such invasions forced the Buddhist
monks to seek asylum and shelter in Nepal and Tibet.

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