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.
