Buddhism in India Upsc Notes 97
Buddhism in India Upsc Notes 97
Buddhism is one of the main religions in the world. Buddhism in India began with Siddhartha
Gautama between 563 and 483 BCE, and throughout the following millennia, it spread
throughout Asia and the rest of the world. Buddhism holds that although rebirth and suffering
are a constant part of human existence, this cycle can be broken permanently by attaining
enlightenment (nirvana).
The first person to achieve this degree of enlightenment was Siddhartha Gautama, who is
currently referred to as the Buddha. Buddhists don't believe in any sort of deity or god, but they
do believe in supernatural beings who can aid or obstruct a person's journey toward
enlightenment.
Founder of Buddhism
Indian prince Siddhartha Gautama is known as the founder of Buddhism. He recognized that
human life is painful after witnessing the suffering of the poor and the dying in the fifth century
B.C.E.
• He gave up his fortune, lived in poverty for a while, meditated, and traveled, but he was
ultimately dissatisfied and decided to follow what is known as "The Middle Way."
• This theory implied that the path to enlightenment was not one of extreme poverty or
extreme prosperity but rather a style of living that fell somewhere in the middle of the
two.
• He eventually attained enlightenment, or nirvana, beneath the Bodhi tree (the tree of
awakening) while engaged in intense meditation. Siddhartha Gautama is also referred to
as the proponent of Buddhism.
Buddhism History
Over 2,600 years ago, Buddhism emerged in India as a way of life with the ability to transform a
person. The founder of the religion, Siddhartha Gautam, who was born around 563 BCE,
provided its foundational principles.
• At the age of 29, Gautama abandoned his family, turned away from his life of luxury, and
chose an ascetic lifestyle.
• At Bodhgaya, a village in Bihar, under a pipal tree, Gautama achieved Bodhi
(enlightenment) after 49 days of nonstop meditation.
• In the UP village of Sarnath, close to the city of Benares, Buddha delivered his first
speech. This is referred to as Dharma-Chakra-Pravartana (turning of the wheel of law).
• At the age of 80, he died in Kushinagar, a town in UP, in 483 BCE. The day is referred to
as Mahaparinibban.
Sects of Buddhism
There are three main sects of Buddhism. These are also known as the three principal schools of
Buddhism.
1. Theravada Theravada
2. Mahayana Theravada
3. Vajrayana Buddhism
Theravada Buddhism
Hinayana Buddhism, School of the Elders: The oldest branch of Buddhism is called Theravada,
or the School of the Elders. Its techniques are based on the oldest teachings of Buddhism. It
doesn't follow the worship of idols.
Arhat, or a completely enlightened being, is the ultimate goal of Theravada Buddhism. This can
be accomplished by meditating, reflecting on sutras, and adhering to the Noble Eightfold Path of
the Buddha.
Buddhism Beliefs
The Ariya-Sacchani (four noble truths), Ashtangika-Marga (eightfold path), Middle Path, Social
Code of Conduct, and Attainment of Nibbana/ Nirvana are the fundamental tenets of the
Buddha's teachings.
Buddha exhorts people not to cling to anything (including his teachings). The teachings are not
dogma; rather, they are just upaya (skilful means or practical tools). The three pillars of the
teachings of Buddhism are as follows:
• Buddha - Founder/ Teacher
• Dhamma - Teachings
• Sangha - Order of Buddhist Monks and Nuns
Buddhist Councils
Four councils were held following the death of Buddha.
Teachings of Buddhism
A brilliant individual, the Buddha established a separate religious society based on his original
teachings. Like the Buddha himself, some of the members of the group were wandering
ascetics. Others were laypeople who respected the Buddha, adhered to some of his teachings,
and gave the wandering ascetics the necessary material support. Some of the teachings of
Buddhism are discussed below.
• All human sadness comes from desire, so removing desire is the guaranteed method to
put an end to misery.
• Death is inevitable, and there is no way to avoid it, which causes suffering by causing
rebirth. The only way to break this cycle of suffering is to find salvation.
• Being free from future birth and death, nirvana, is the ultimate goal of life.
• "Set in motion, the wheel of Law" was the title of the Buddha's first sermon.
Causes for Rise of Buddhism
Buddhism gained widespread acceptance and appreciation and quickly took root across India. It
expanded across central Asia, west Asia, and Sri Lanka with the help of emperor Ashoka.
Buddhism's growth and spread have a number of causes, including the following.
• Buddhism was much more liberal and democratic than Brahmanism. As it attacked the
varna system, it earned the hearts of the lower classes. All castes were welcomed, and
women were allowed to join the Sangha. As the orthodox Brahmanas hated the people
of Magadha, the people of Magadha adopted Buddhism with open arms.
• The Buddha spoke to the masses in their everyday language of the people. The majority
language was Pali, which was what the Buddha spoke. Only the Brahmin-exclusive
Sanskrit language could be used to understand the Vedic religion.
• Buddhism was affordable because it lacked the costly rituals that made up the Vedic
religion. It promoted a spiritual path devoid of any financial obligations in which Brahmins
and gods may be pleased through offerings and rituals.
• The Buddha's charisma made both him and his religion popular among the general
public. He had no ego and was gentle. The general public was drawn to him by his
serene demeanor, pleasant words of straightforward philosophy, and life of renunciation.
He was prepared with ethical responses to the issues facing the populace.