Buddhism History Gautama Buddha Biography Teachings Truths Eight Fold Path

Buddhism History Gautama Buddha Biography Teachings Truths Eight Fold Path: Buddhism is founded by Goutama Buddha in this world. In 563 BC Goutama Buddha was born in a royal family in Lumbini the Northern part of India. Presently this place is located in Nepal His parents were Suddhodana and Mahamaya. They gave him the name Siddhartha. Siddhartha’s wife wasYashodhara and the son Rahula. The word Buddha came from BIDHI. Budhi means to ‘awaken’. Goutama Buddha himself enlightened at the age of 35 after followed a six years of spiritual Meditation in the forest. He attained enlightenment under the Bodhi tree. Presently more than 300 million people are following the Buddhism around the world.

Buddhism:

Gautama Buddha Details:

Name: Siddhartha
Birth: 563 BC, Lumbini
Death: 483 BC, Kushi Nagar
Clan: Sakya Clan
Father: Suddhodana
Mother: Mahamaya
Wife: Yashodhara
Son: Rahula

Buddha established Buddhism
Buddha means enlightened.
Siddhartha named as Buddha after he got enlightenment.
Buddha revealed them 4 noble truths.
Buddha constitute the core of Buddhism in his first Sermon at Deer park in Saranath

Buddhism – Gautama Buddha – Truths:

1. World is full of misery
2. Cause of this misery is greed
3. By conquering greed one can attain Niryana.
4. The eight fold path is the means for conquering desire

Gautama Buddha Eight fold path:

1. Right Observation
2. Right Determination
3. Right Speech
4. Right Action
5. Right Livelihood
6. Right Mental Exercise
7. Right Memory
8. Right Mediation

Buddhism proposed austerity

Buddha Proposed Code of Conduct:

They are…..
Not aspiring for others property,
Not indulging in violence,
Not taking intoxicants
Not lying
Not indulging in corruption

Buddhism Origin Reasons:

In Indian history 600 BC (6th century) is the period of revolution
In this period Buddhism and Jainism emerged
Actually these are formed against the evils of Brahmanism.
Brahmanism performed sacrifices and Killing of Oxen which were dependent of agriculture.
These activities were opponent to socio economic conditions of the time.
So it was the time to spot killing of animals in the form of sacrifices.

Buddhism Origin – Other Reasons:

Vaisyas earned much wealth in the trade though they were rich in their economic position they have not given importance in the varna system.
They were continued to be in the third position
This system of varna hurt the vanity of vaisyas and were discontented with Brahmanism
In the same Sudras were also hate the varna system because of their position in the varna system.
Their function was to serve the remaining three varnas.
Punishments were also varied with the cast (position of varna).

Reasons for the Popularity of Buddhism:

Vaisyas and Sudras were discontent due to their lower position in the varna system
Buddhism proposed simple ideas which are very to follow.
Usage of Pali language
It used by common people
Attractive personality of Lord Buddha
Full time preachers
Preaching through Sanghas
The great King Ashoka followed Buddism and he sent missionaries to Srilank and west Asia
King Kanishka sent missionaries to central Asia and China

Buddhism Decline Causes:

1. Reform of Brahmanism
2. Buddhism adopted Sanskrit and left Poli language
3. Degeneration of Sanga
4. Idol Worship.
Monasteries of Buddhism entirely changed by the 7 th centaury AD
Instead of preaching Buddhism they started to Show interest in women and wine .
Buddhists justified these bad habits by floating a new branch Buddhism, and they named it as Vajrayana Buddhism
Vajrayana Buddhism was formed in 8 th century AD
In first century AD . the buddist monks adopted Sanskrit and gave up Pali language which is named as common mans language
So the adoption of Sanskrit language separated common people from Buddhism.
In the same 1st century AD Buddhist adopted idol worship.
So this act blurred the difference between Buddhism and Brahmanism.
Brahmanism offered sudras the Heave. By this proposal Brahmanism reformed and Jainism.
Due to the reasons maintained above Buddhism lost its incredible popularity by the end of the 12th century AD.

Buddhism And its Contributions:

The merits and contributions of Buddhism are non-violent tradition and quite opposite to animal sacrifices.
Social equality Buddhism had not given important to Varna system.
Education development, usage of Pali language
Which is common mans language.
Encouraging fine arts and rationality
Buddhism developed education system by establishing monasteries.
These monasteries are education centers and they adopted Pali language for writing and preaching of thri-pitakas.
Nalanda in Bihar and Vikranasila in Gujarat and Nagarjunakonda in Andhra Pradeshare the great education centers
Buddhism promoted fine arts
Buddha statues were the first human status which was worshipped by humans.
We can see the great Sculpture of Buddha are Madhura and Saranath.
Gandhara school is one of the great contribution of Buddhism to the interaction of Indian and Greek sculpture .
Buddhism also promoted carve architecture.
Buddhists constructed monasteries known as viharas along the slopes of hills around Gaya in Bihar status . We can see wonderful carving sculpture in these Viharas.
Buddhists paid a great contribution to painting Ajantha paintings were the wonderful and remarkable works done by Buddhists.

Buddhism Literature:

Thri Pitakas:

1. Vinya pitaka – It is a conduct code for the monds
2. Sutta pitaka – explains preceipts of Buddha in parables.
3. Abhdhamma pitaka – explains philosophical speculations.

Buddhists councils:

First Buddhist council:

First Buddhist council Conducted at Rajagriha By Mahakassapa
This Council was conducted after the death of Buddha.

Second Buddhist council:

Second Buddhist council Conducted at Vaishali
Second Buddhist council Conducted By Schism theravadins ( Sthaviravadins ) and Mahasanghikas.

Third Buddhist council:

Third Buddhist council Conducted at Pataliputra
Third Buddhist council Presided by Mogaliputra Tissa
Third Buddhist council was Conducted under the patronage of Ashoka.

Fourth Buddhist council:

Conducted at Kashmir
Presided by Vasumithra
For formed under the King Kanishka’s patronage.

Buddhism Mahayana Sect:

Mahasanghikas and Sarastinivadins ( it is a nearly formed sect) Both formed “Mahayana” sect
Thervadins formed as Hinayana sect

Difference between Mahayana and Hinayana:

By using the concept of Tantrism Vajrayana of the thunderbolt Vihicle cult developed in 8th century AD