🕉️ Chapter 4: Buddhism & Jainism

The Heterodox Movements • Surgical Strike Notes

☸ Part A: Buddhism

1. Life of Gautama Buddha (The Light of Asia)

👶 Birth (Lotus/Bull):
• 563 BC @ Lumbini (Kapilvastu, Nepal).
• Clan: Shakya (Kshatriya).
• Father: Shuddhodana. Mother: Mahamaya (Koliyan).

🏠 Departure (Horse):
• Age 29. Called Mahabhinishkramana.
• Horse: Kanthaka. Charioteer: Channa.

💡 Enlightenment (Bodhi Tree):
• Age 35 @ Bodh Gaya (Bihar).
• River: Niranjana (Falgu).
• Attained "Nirvana".

💀 Death (Stupa):
• 483 BC @ Kushinagar (UP).
• Called Mahaparinirvana.
• Republic: Mallas.

🗣️ The First Sermon (Dharma Chakra Pravartana)

• Place: Sarnath (Rishipattana/Mrigadava).
• Audience: 5 Brahmins.
• Symbol: Wheel (Chakra).

2. Philosophy (No Soul, Yes Rebirth)

Four Noble Truths (Arya Satya): 1. World is full of Sorrow (Dukkha). 2. Cause of Sorrow is Desire (Trishna). 3. Sorrow can be stopped (Nirvana). 4. Path to stop Sorrow (Eight Fold Path).
Eight Fold Path (Ashtangika Marg): Right View, Resolve, Speech, Action, Livelihood, Effort, Mindfulness, Concentration.
Pratityasamutpada: Theory of Dependent Origination (Cause & Effect).
Anatmavada: No Soul (Self).
Kshanikavada: Momentariness (Everything is temporary).

3. The 4 Buddhist Councils (Memorize Table)

#	Year	Place	King	President	Outcome
1st	483 BC	Rajgriha	Ajatashatru	Mahakassapa	Sutta & Vinaya Pitaka compiled.
2nd	383 BC	Vaishali	Kalasoka	Sabakami	Split: Sthaviravadins vs Mahasanghikas.
3rd	250 BC	Pataliputra	Ashoka	Moggaliputta Tissa	Abhidhamma Pitaka added.
4th	72 AD	Kashmir	Kanishka	Vasumitra / Ashvaghosha	Split: Hinayana vs Mahayana.

4. Sects & Literature

📚 Tripitakas (Pali)

Vinaya Pitaka: Rules for Monks (Upali).
Sutta Pitaka: Teachings/Sermons (Ananda). Largest.
Abhidhamma Pitaka: Philosophy.

🛤️ Hinayana vs Mahayana

Hinayana: Lesser Vehicle. Buddha = Great Man. No Idol Worship. Pali.
Mahayana: Great Vehicle. Buddha = God. Idol Worship. Sanskrit. Bodhisattva concept.

Vajrayana: Tantric Buddhism (Magic/Spells). 8th Century. Led to decline.

🦁 UP Special: Buddhism

UP is the "Cradle of Buddhism".

Sarnath (Varanasi): First Sermon. Dhamek Stupa.
Kushinagar (Deoria): Mahaparinirvana (Death). Parinirvana Stupa.
Shravasti: Maximum Sermons given here. Spent 25 rainy seasons. Jetavana Vihara.
Kaushambi: Visited by Buddha. Ghoshitaram Vihara.
Sankisa (Farrukhabad): Buddha descended from heaven here (Legend).

✋ Part B: Jainism

1. The Tirthankaras (Ford Makers)

Total 24 Tirthankaras. "Jina" means Conqueror.

1st: Rishabhdev (Adinath): Symbol = Bull. Mentioned in Rigveda.
23rd: Parshvanath: Prince of Banaras (UP).
• Symbol = Snake.
• Gave 4 Vows: Satya, Ahimsa, Asteya, Aparigraha.
24th: Mahavira Swami: The Real Founder.
• Symbol = Lion.
• Added 5th Vow: Brahmacharya (Celibacy).

2. Life of Mahavira (540 BC - 468 BC)

👶 Birth:
• Kundagram (Vaishali).
• Father: Siddhartha (Jnatrika Clan).
• Mother: Trishala (Lichchhavi Princess).

💡 Kevalya (Omniscience):
• Age 42 @ Jrimbhikagram.
• River: Rijupalika. Tree: Sal.

💀 Nirvana (Death):
• Age 72 @ Pavapuri (Rajgir).
• In the palace of King Hastipal (Malla).

3. Philosophy: Syadvada & Anekantavada

Triratna (Three Jewels): Right Faith, Right Knowledge, Right Conduct.
Anekantavada: Plurality of Reality (Many-sidedness).
Syadvada: "Maybe" theory (Relativity of truth).
Sallekhana/Santhara: Fasting to death (Chandragupta Maurya did this).

👔 Sects: Shvetambara vs Digambara

Shvetambara: White-clad. Led by Sthulabhadra. (North India).
Digambara: Sky-clad (Naked). Led by Bhadrabahu. (South India).

            🦁 UP Special: Jainism
            Ayodhya: Birthplace of 5 Tirthankaras (including Rishabhdev).
Varanasi: Birthplace of Parshvanath (23rd) & Suparshvanath (7th).
Kaushambi: Famous for both Buddhism & Jainism (Prabhasgiri).
Mathura: Center of Jain art (Kushana Period). Kankali Tila.
Deogarh (Lalitpur): Jain temples.

        

🎯 PYQ "Sniper" Shots (Combined)

Q: Where did Buddha give his first sermon?
A: Sarnath (Dharmachakrapravartana).

Q: "Light of Asia" refers to?
A: Gautama Buddha (Book by Edwin Arnold).

Q: Syadvada is a doctrine of?
A: Jainism.

Q: First Tirthankara?
A: Rishabhdev.

Q: Which Council divided Buddhism into Hinayana/Mahayana?
A: 4th Council (Kashmir, Kanishka).

Q: Mahavira attained Nirvana at?
A: Pavapuri.

Q: Place famous for BOTH Buddhism & Jainism?
A: Kaushambi (UP). Super Hit Question

UPPCS Preparation