General Awareness Buddhism and Jainism

Introduction

` color{red} ✍️` Buddhism and Jainism are two branches of the sramana tradition that still exist today. Jainism and Buddhism share many features, including much of the same terminology.

` color{red} ✍️` Jainism has historically been largely confined to India, whereas Buddhism originated in India but subsequently flourished in other Asian countries.

` color{red} ✍️` It was founded by Rishabhnath, the first Tirthankara (guru, emblem-bull).

` color{red} ✍️` The 23rd Tirthankara was Parsavanath (symbol-serpent). He was the Prince of Banaras, who had abandoned the throne, and led the life of a hermit.

` color{red} ✍️` He died at Sammet Sikhar/Parasanath Hill in Hazaribagh district of Jharkhand.

` color{red} ✍️` The 24th Tirthankara was Vardbaman Mahavira (emblem-lion).

Life of Mahavira

` color{red} ✍️` Birth Born to Siddhartharaja (Jnatrika clan) and Trishala (Lichchhavi Princess) in 540 BC at Kundagram near Vaishali in Bihar.

` color{red} ✍️` Wife Yashoda

` color{red} ✍️` Daughter Priyadarsena

` color{red} ✍️` Son-in-law Jamali

` color{red} ✍️` Diksha Place Rijupaluka

` color{red} ✍️` Renunciation At the age of 30

` color{red} ✍️` Kaivalya Perfect knowledge at the age of 42, under a sal tree at Jimbhikgrama.

` color{red} ✍️` First Sermon At Pava, to his eleven disciples known as Gandgharas.

` color{red} ✍️` Death, at the age of 72 in 468 BC, at Pavapuri near Rajagriha.

` color{red} ✍️` Titles Jalna or Jitendriya (one who conquered his senses); Kevalin (perfectly learned), Arthant (blessed one) and Mahavlra (the brave).

Teachings of Mahavira

` color{red} ✍️` Rejected the authority of the Vedas and did not believe in the existence of God.

` color{red} ✍️` Strict non-violence.

` color{red} ✍️` Attainment of salvation by believing in penance and dying of starvation.

` color{red} ✍️` Universal brotherhood (equality) and non-belief in Caste System. He believed in karma and transmigration of soul.

Jaina Philososphy

Syadavada It is the theory of maybe and seven modes of prediction are possible. Anekantavada Doctrine of mayness of reality.

`color { maroon} ("Three Ratnas (Way to Nirvana)")`

` color{red} 1.` `color{green}("Right faith (Samyak Vishwas)")`
` color{red} 2.` `color{green}("Right knowledge (Samyak Gyan)")`
` color{red} 3.` `color{green}("Right conduct (Sam yak Acharan)")`

`color { maroon} ("Five Cardinal Principles")`

` color{red} 1.` `color{green}("Ahimsa (Non-injury)")`
` color{red} 2.` `color{green}("Satya (Non-lying)")`
` color{red} 3.` `color{green}("Asteya (Non-stealing)")`
` color{red} 4.` `color{green}("Aparigraha (Non-possession)")`
` color{red} 5.` `color{green}("Brahmacharya (Observing continence)")` Mahavratas Monks, who observed five principles.

Five Instruments of Knowledge

` color{red} 1.` Mati Jnana PercepUon through activity of sense organs, including the brain.

` color{red} 2.` Avadhl Jnana Clairvoyant perception.

` color{red} 3.` Shruta Jnana Knowledge revealed by scriptures.

` color{red} 4.` Manparyay Jnana Telepathic knowledge.

` color{red} 5.` Keval Jnana Omniscience or temporal knowledge.

Sects of Jainism

` color{red} ✍️` After the death of Mahavira, during the reign of the king Chandragupta Maurya, a severe famine Jed to a great exodus of Jaina monks, from Ganga valley to the deccan.

` color{red} ✍️` `ul("Bhadrabahu")`, who led the emigrants, insisted on the retention of the rule of nudity, which Mahavira had established Digambaras.

` color{red} ✍️` `ul("Sthulabhadra")`, the leader of the monk, who remained in the North allowed his followers to wear white garments-Svetambaras.

Jain's Literature

` color{red} ✍️` Kalpasutra (in Sanskrit by Bhadrabahu).

` color{red} ✍️` Parishishta Parvan (an appendix of Trisha Shti Shalaka Purusha) by Hemchandra.

` color{red} ✍️` Bhadrabahu Charita.

Causes of the Decline of Jainism

` color{red} ✍️` Extreme observance of ahimsa, penance and austerity.

` color{red} ✍️` No patronage from later kings.

Buddhism

` color{red} ✍️` Founded by ` color{green} ("Gautama Buddha")` (Sakyamuni or Tathagat), originally known as Siddhartha.

` color{red} ul("Life of Buddha")`

` color{red} ✍️` His father Suddhodhana was the Saka ruler, his mother Mahamaya died after 7 days of his birth, so he was brought up by his aunt Gautami.

` color{red} ✍️` Married at 16 to Yashodbara, enjoyed the married life for 13 years and had a son named Rahul.

Teachings of the Buddha

` color{red}( "(a)")` The fundamental principles of Buddha's teachings are represented by the Four Noble Truths (arya-satyas)

` color{red} 1. color{green} ("Dukkha")` (that the world is full of sorrow).
` color{red} 2. color{green} ("Dukkha Samuddaya")` (That there are causes of sorrow)
` color{red} 3. color{green} ("Dukkha Nirodha")` (This sorrow can be stopped)
` color{red} 4. color{green} ("Dukkha Nirodha gammi pratipada")` (path leading to cessation of sorrow)

According to Buddha, roots of all human misery was 'desire' and its annihilation was the surest way of ending unhappiness. One could get out of this chain of suffering and achieve the final salvation (Nirvana) by following Eight fold path (Ashtangika Marga).

` color{red}( "(b)")` Eight-Fold Path (Ashtangika Marga)

` color{red} 1. color{green}( "Right understanding")`
` color{red} 2. color{green} ("Right thought")`
` color{red} 3. color{green} ("Right speech")`
` color{red} 4. color{green} ("Right action")`
` color{red} 5. color{green} ("Right livelihood")`
` color{red} 6. color{green} ("Right effort")`
` color{red} 7. color{green} ("Right mindfulness")`
` color{red} 8. color{green} ("Right concentration")`

` color{red}( "(c)")` Three Jewels (Triratnas)

` color{red} 1. color{green}(" Buddha (the enlightened)")`
` color{red} 2. color{green} ("Dhamma (doctrine)")`
` color{red} 3. color{green} ("Sangha. (order)")`

` color{red}( "(d)")` Belief in Nirvana Also known as moksha or salvation. It refers to the concept of ultimate bliss, whereby the person gets freedom from the cycles of birth and death.

` color{red}( "(e)")` Belief in Ahimsa Law of Kanna and Madhya Marga/Madhyama Pratipada (The Middle Path).

Type of Buddhism

` color{red} ✍️` Vajrayana Its followers believed that salvation could be attained by magical power which they called vajra.

` color{red} ✍️` The chief divinity of the sect is Taras. Bengal and Bihar (Eastern India) were the main areas of its concentration.

` color{red} ✍️` Hinayana (the lesser vehicle).

` color{red} ✍️` Mahayana (the greater vehicle).

Buddhist Architecture

` color{red} ul ("Buddhist Architecture")`

` color{red} ✍️` Stone-pillars depicting the life of Buddha at Gaya, Sanchi and Bharhut.

` color{red} ✍️` Gandhara art and the beautiful images of the Buddha.

` color{red} ✍️` Cave architecture in the Barabar hills at Gaya and in Western India around Nasik.

` color{red} ✍️` Art pieces of Amaravati and Nagarjunakonda.

` color{red} ✍️` Stupa relics of Buddha or some prominent monks.

` color{red} ✍️` Chaitya Prayer ball.

` color{red} ✍️` Vihara Residence.

CAUSES OF THE DECLINE OF BUDDHISM

` color{red} ✍️` Incorporation of rituals and ceremonies it originally denounced.

` color{red} ✍️` Reform in Brahamanism and rise of Bhagavalism.

` color{red} ✍️` Buddhists took up the use of Sanskrit (earlier Pali), started practising idol worship, receiving offerings and huge donations.

✓ Points to Remember

`color{purple}{✍️ul{"Some Important points about Jainism"}}`

`color{blue} ●` Jainism founded by Rishabha.

`color{blue} ●` There were 24 Tirthankaras (Prophets or Gurus), all Kshatriyas. First was Rishabhnath (Emblem: Bull).

`color{blue} ●` The `23^(rd)` Tirthankar Parshwanath (Emblem: Snake) was the son of King Ashvasena of Banaras.

`color{blue} ●` The `24^(th)` and the last Tirthankar was Vardhman Mahavira (Emblem: Lion). He was born in kundagram (Distt Muzaffarpur, Bihar) in 599 BC.

`color{blue} ●` His father Siddhartha was the head of Jnatrika clan.

`color{blue} ●` His mother was Trishla, sister of Lichchavi Prince Chetak of Vaishali.

`color{blue} ●` Mahavira was related to Bimbisara. Married to Yashoda, had a daughter named Priyadarsena, whose husband Jamali became his first disciple.

`color{blue} ●` At 30, after the death of his parents, he became an ascetic.

`color{blue} ●` In the `13^(th)` year of his asceticism (on the `10^(th)` of Vaishakha), outside the town of Jrimbhikgrama, he attained supreme knowledge (kaivalya).

`color{blue} ●` From now on he was called Jaina or Jitendriya and Mahavira, and his followers were named Jains. He also got the title of Arihant, i.e.. worthy.

`color{blue} ●` At the age of 72, he attained death at Pava, near Patna, in 527 BC.

`color{blue} ●` Mahavira preached almost the same message as Parshvanath and added one more, Brahmcharya (celibacy) to it.


`color{purple}{✍️ul{"Some Important points about Buddhism"}}`

`color{blue} ●`The Buddha also known as Sakyamuni or Tathagata.

`color{blue} ●`Born in 563 BC on the Vaishakha Poornima Day at Lumbini (near Kapilavastu) in Nepal.

`color{blue} ●`His father Suddhodana was the Saka ruler.

`color{blue} ●`His mother (Mahamaya, of Kosala dynastry) died after 7 days of his birth. Brought up by stepmother Gautami.

`color{blue} ●`Married at 16 to Yoshodhara. Enjoyed the married life for 13 years and had a son named Rahula.

`color{blue} ●`After seeing an old man, a sick man, a corpse and an ascetic, he decided to become a wanderer.

`color{blue} ●`Left his palace at 29 in search of truth (also called ‘Mahabhinishkramana’ or The Great Renunication) and wandered for 6 years.
`color{blue} ●`Attained ‘Enlightenment’ at 35 at Gaya in Magadha (Bihar) under the Pipal tree.

`color{blue} ●`Delivered the first sermon at Sarnath where his five disciples had settled. His first sermon is called ‘Dharmachakrapracartan’ or ‘Turning of the Wheel of Law’

`color{blue} ●`Attained Mahaparinirvana at Kushinagar (identical with village Kasia in Deoria district of UP) in 483 BC at the age of 80 in the Malla republic.

 
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