Buddhism
and Jainism in India
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.
Jainism
has historically been largely confined to India, whereas Buddhism originated in
India but subsequently flourished in other Asian countries.
BUDDHISM IN INDIA
• Born in 563 BC on the Vaishakha Poornima
Day at Lumbini (near Kapilavastu) in Nepal.
• His father Suddhodana was the Saka
ruler.
• His mother (Mahamaya, of Kosala dynasty)
died after 7 days of his birth. Brought up by stepmother Gautami.
• Left his palace at 29 (with Channa, the
charioteer and his favourite horse, Kanthaka) in search of truth (also called
‘Mahabhinishkramana’ or The Great Renunciation) and wandered for 6 years.
• Attained ‘Nirvana’ or ‘Enlightenment’ at
35 at Gaya in Magadha (Bihar) under the Pipal tree.
• Delivered the first sermon at Sarnath
where his five disciples had settled. His first sermon is called
‘Dharmachakrapravartan’ or ‘Turning of the Wheel of Law’.
• 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.
Buddhist Councils:
• The monks gathered 4 times after the
death of Buddha and the effect of these events had their effect on Buddhism.
• First Council : At
Rajgriha, in 483 BC under the chairman ship of Mehakassaapa (King was
Ajatshatru). Divided the teachings of Buddha into two Pitakas – Vihaya Pitaka
and Sutta Pitaka. Upali recited the Vinaya Pitaka and Ananda recited the Sutta
Pitaka.
• Second Council : At
Vaishali, in 383 BC under Sabakami (King was Kalasoka). Followers divided into
Sthavirmadins and Mahasanghikas.
• Third Council : At
Pataliputra, in 250 BC under Mogaliputta Tissa (King was Ashoka). In this, the
third part of the Tripitaka was coded in the Pali language.
• Fourth Council : At
Kashmir (Kundalvan), in 72 AD under Vasumitra (King was Kanishka).
Vice-Chairman was Ashwaghosha). Divided Buddhism into Mahayana and Hinayana
sects.
Buddhist Literature :
• Buddhist scriptures in Pali are commonly
referred to as Tripitakas, ie ‘Threefold Basket’.
• Vinaya Pitaka : Rules of discipline in
Buddhist monasteries.
• Sutta Pitaka : Largest, contains
collection of Buddha’s sermons.
• Abhidhamma Pitaka : Explanation of the
philosophical principles of the Buddhist religion.
JAINISM IN INDIA
• Founded by Rishabhanath.
• There were 24 tirthankaras (Prophetsor
Gurus), all Kshatriyas.
• First was Rishabhanath (Emblem: Bull).
• The 23rd Tirthankar Parshwanath (Emblem:
Snake) was the son of King Ashvasena of Banaras. His main teachings were:
Non-injury, Non-lying, Non-stealing, Non-possession.
• The 24th and the last Tirthankar was
Vardhman Mahavira (Emblem: Lion).
Vardhman Mahavira History :
• He was born in Kundagram
(Distt Muzafffarpur, Bihar) in 599 BC.
• His father Siddhartha was
the head of Jnatrika clan. His mother was Trishla, sister of Lichchavi Prince
Chetak of Vaishali.
• Mahavira was related to
Bimbisara.
• Married to Yashoda, had a
daughter named Priyadarsena, whose husband Jamali became his first disciple.
• At 30, after the death of
his parents, he became an ascetic.
• In the 13th year of his
asceticism (on the 10th of Vaishakha), outside the town of Jrimbhikgrama, he
attained supreme knowledge (Kaivalya).
• 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.
• At the age of 72, he
attained death at Pava, near Patna, in 527 BC.
• Note: In Jainism, three
Ratnas (Triratnas) are given and they are called the way to Nirvana. They are
Right Faith, Right Knowledge and Right Conduct.
History of Jain Councils :
• First Council : Held
at Pataliputra by Sthulabhadra in the beginning of third century BC. It
resulted in the compilation of 12 Angas to replace 14 Purvas.
• Second Council : It
was held at Vallabhi (Gujarat) in the fifth century AD under the leadership of
Devridhigani.
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