Buddhism & Jainism
Indian History · बौद्ध और जैन धर्म
📋Quick Overview
Buddhism and Jainism are two ancient religions that arose in India around the 6th century BCE as a protest against Vedic rituals, caste system, and Brahmanical dominance. Both were founded in Bihar and spread across Asia. They are among the most asked topics in all government exams.
📖Buddhism — Founder & Life of Buddha
Gautama Buddha (563–483 BCE) — Born as Prince Siddhartha in Lumbini (Nepal), father King Suddhodana, mother Mahamaya (died 7 days after birth), stepmother Gautami. Wife: Yashodhara. Son: Rahul
| Event | Place | Symbol |
|---|---|---|
| Birth | Lumbini (Nepal) | Lotus & Bull |
| Great Renunciation (Mahabhinishkramana) | Kapilvastu | Horse |
| Enlightenment (Nirvana) | Bodh Gaya (under Peepal tree) | Bodhi Tree |
| First Sermon (Dharmachakra Pravartana) | Sarnath (Deer Park) | Wheel (Dharmachakra) |
| Death (Mahaparinirvana) | Kushinagar (UP) | Stupa |
📝Core Teachings of Buddhism
- •Four Noble Truths (Arya Satya): 1) Life is suffering (Dukkha) 2) Desire causes suffering 3) Suffering can end 4) Follow the Eightfold Path
- •Eightfold Path (Ashtangika Marg): Right View, Right Intention, Right Speech, Right Action, Right Livelihood, Right Effort, Right Mindfulness, Right Concentration
- •Three Jewels (Triratna): Buddha, Dhamma, Sangha
- •Middle Path (Madhyam Marg) — avoid extreme luxury and extreme self-torture
- •Buddha did NOT believe in God or Soul (Atman). He rejected the Vedas and caste system.
- •Language: Pali (Buddha preached in Pali, NOT Sanskrit)
📖Buddhist Councils
| Council | Year | Place | King | Chairman | Key Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 483 BCE | Rajgriha (Saptaparni Cave) | Ajatashatru | Mahakassapa | Compiled Sutta & Vinaya Pitaka |
| 2nd | 383 BCE | Vaishali | Kalashoka | Sabakami | Split into Sthaviravada & Mahasanghika |
| 3rd | 250 BCE | Patliputra | Ashoka | Moggaliputta Tissa | Compiled Abhidhamma Pitaka, Buddhism sent abroad |
| 4th | 72 CE | Kundalvana (Kashmir) | Kanishka | Vasumitra (VP: Ashvaghosha) | Split into Hinayana & Mahayana |
📖Hinayana vs Mahayana
📖Buddhist Literature — Tripitaka
| Pitaka | Meaning | Contains |
|---|---|---|
| Vinaya Pitaka | Rules of discipline | Rules for monks & nuns |
| Sutta Pitaka | Sermons of Buddha | Buddha's teachings & dialogues (LARGEST) |
| Abhidhamma Pitaka | Philosophy | Analysis of Buddha's teachings |
Tripitaka is written in Pali language. 'Pitaka' means 'basket'. These are the oldest Buddhist scriptures.
📖Jainism — Founder & Tirthankaras
Jainism has 24 Tirthankaras (spiritual teachers). The first was Rishabhadeva and the last was Mahavira. Parsvanath (23rd) and Mahavira (24th) are the most important for exams.
| Detail | Rishabhadeva (1st) | Parsvanath (23rd) | Mahavira (24th) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Also called | Adinath | — | Vardhamana |
| Symbol | Bull | Snake | Lion |
| Born at | Ayodhya | Varanasi | Kundagram (Vaishali, Bihar) |
| Special | Mentioned in Rig Veda | Gave 4 vows | Added 5th vow (Brahmacharya) |
Mahavira was a contemporary of Gautama Buddha. Both were Kshatriyas, both were from Bihar, both rejected Vedas and caste system.
📝Mahavira's Life Events
| Event | Detail |
|---|---|
| Birth | 540 BCE, Kundagram (Vaishali), Bihar |
| Father | Siddhartha (chief of Jnatrika clan) |
| Mother | Trishala |
| Wife | Yashoda |
| Daughter | Priyadarshini (married Jamali) |
| Renunciation age | 30 years |
| Enlightenment (Kaivalya) | Jrimbhikagram, under Sal tree, at age 42 |
| First sermon | Rajgriha (Vipulachal hill) |
| Death | 468 BCE, Pavapuri (Bihar), age 72 |
📝Core Teachings of Jainism
- •Five Vows (Pancha Vrata): 1) Ahimsa (non-violence) 2) Satya (truth) 3) Asteya (non-stealing) 4) Aparigraha (non-possession) 5) Brahmacharya (celibacy — added by Mahavira)
- •Three Jewels (Triratna): Right Faith (Samyak Darshana), Right Knowledge (Samyak Jnana), Right Conduct (Samyak Charitra)
- •Believed in Soul (Atman) but NOT in God as creator
- •Rejected Vedas. Did NOT reject caste system completely.
- •Believed in extreme non-violence — even filtering water, sweeping path while walking
- •Language: Prakrit (Ardhamagadhi)
📖Digambara vs Shvetambara
The split happened during the Jain Council at Patliputra under Sthulabhadra (around 300 BCE) due to a 12-year famine in Magadha.
📖Buddhism vs Jainism — Key Differences
📝"First / Only" — Quick Facts
- •First Buddhist Council → Rajgriha, under Ajatashatru
- •Ashoka sent Buddhism to Sri Lanka through his son Mahendra and daughter Sanghamitra
- •Kanishka = 'Second Ashoka' of Buddhism (patron of Mahayana)
- •First Tirthankara Rishabhadeva is mentioned in Rig Veda and Vishnu Purana
- •Bahubali/Gommateshwara statue at Shravanabelagola (Karnataka) — world's largest monolithic statue (Jain)
- •Jain scriptures are called 'Agamas'. Written at Vallabhi Council (512 CE) under Devardhi Kshmasramana.
- •Chandragupta Maurya became a Jain monk at Shravanabelagola and died by Santhara (fasting unto death)