Buddhism, Jainism and Bihar

Buddhism and Bihar

Gautama Buddha – Key Points

• Born in Lumbini, near Kapilavastu (Nepal), Sakya clan.
• Father: Suddhodana, Mother: Mayadevi, Foster Mother: Prajapati Gautami.
• Married Yasodhara at 16; son Rahul.
• Left home at 29 after seeing four signs: old man, diseased man, corpse, ascetic.
• Attained enlightenment (Nirvana) under Bodhi tree at 35.
• Delivered first sermon at Sarnath; died at Kushinagar at 80.
• Famous disciples: Sariputta, Moggallana, Ananda, Kassapa, Upali.

Buddhist Literature

• Abhidhamma Pitaka – Metaphysics of Buddhism.
• Sutta Pitaka – Short sermons of Buddha (5 Nikayas).
• Vinaya Pitaka – Monastic rules for monks & nuns.
• Jatakas – Stories of Buddha’s past lives.
• Milindapanha – Dialogue of saint Nagasena.
• Written in Pali, compiled as Tripitaka in Third Buddhist Council.

Core Teachings

• Eightfold Path: Right Vision, Intention, Speech, Action, Livelihood, Effort, Mindfulness, Samadhi.

• Four Noble Truths: Life is suffering; desire causes suffering; ending desire ends suffering; Nirvana attainable via Eightfold Path.

Buddhist Councils

• 1st (483 BCE, Rajgir) – Preserved Sutta & Vinaya.
• 2nd (383 BCE, Vaishali) – First split into Theravada & Mahayana.
• 3rd (250 BCE, Pataliputra) – Added Abhidhamma Pitaka, settled Vinaya disputes.
• 4th (72 CE, Kashmir) – Divided Buddhism into Mahayana & Hinayana.

Jainism and Bihar

Introduction

• Ancient religion; Jina = liberator.
• Reveres 24 Tirthankaras; rejects Vedas.
• Canonical text: Tattvartha Sutra by Umasvati.
• Valabhi Council (512 CE) – Standardized Jain scriptures.

Vardhaman Mahavira (540–468 BCE)

• Born in Kundagrama near Vaishali; parents Siddhartha & Trisala.
• Wife: Yasoda; attained Kevala Jnana after 13 years penance.
• Preached Jainism for 30 years; died at Pavapuri, Rajagriha at 72.

Spread of Jainism

• Two sects: Svetambara (White-Clad), Digambara (Sky-Clad).
• 1st Council (Patliputra) – Led by Sthulabhadra.
• 2nd Council (Valabhi, 5th century CE) – Compiled 12 Angas.
• Mahavira’s teachings spread via Sangha, included men & women.
• Bhadrabahu led followers south during famine; upon return, Svetambara & Digambara sects formed.
• Spread supported by Chandragupta Maurya, Kharavela, southern dynasties.