Buddhism is a vital topic for the UPSC, frequently appearing in both the Preliminary (Art & Culture) and Mains (GS Paper I) exams. It represents a significant heterodox challenge to the Vedic religion during the 6th century BCE.
Birth: Born as Siddhartha in 563 BCE in Lumbini (Nepal) into the Shakya Kshatriya clan.
The Four Sights: An old man, a sick man, a corpse, and an ascetic. These prompted his "Great Renunciation" (Mahabhinishkramana) at age 29.
Enlightenment: Attained Nirvana at age 35 under a Peepal tree in Bodh Gaya (Bihar) on the banks of the Niranjana River.
First Sermon: Delivered at Sarnath (UP), known as the Dharmachakrapravartana (Turning the Wheel of Law).
Death: Passed away at age 80 in Kushinagar (UP), known as Mahaparinirvana.
Buddha's teachings were practical, focusing on the end of suffering rather than metaphysical speculation.
The Four Noble Truths (Arya Satyas)
Dukkha: The world is full of sorrow.
Samudaya: Desire (Tanha) is the cause of sorrow.
Nirodha: Sorrow can be conquered by giving up desire.
Magga: This can be achieved by following the Eightfold Path.
The Eightfold Path (Ashtangika Marga)
These are categorized into Wisdom (Pragna), Ethical Conduct (Sila), and Mental Discipline (Samadhi):
Right View, Right Resolve, Right Speech, Right Action, Right Livelihood, Right Effort, Right Mindfulness, and Right Concentration.
The Three Jewels (Triratna)
Buddha: The enlightened one.
Dhamma: The teachings.
Sangha: The monastic order.
| Council | Year | Place | Patron | Chairman | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 483 BCE | Rajgir | Ajatashatru | Mahakashyapa | Codification of Sutta & Vinaya Pitaka |
| 2nd | 383 BCE | Vaishali | Kalasoka | Sabakami | Split into Sthaviravadins & Mahasanghikas |
| 3rd | 250 BCE | Pataliputra | Ashoka | Moggaliputta Tissa | Codification of Abhidhamma Pitaka |
| 4th | 72 CE | Kashmir | Kanishka | Vasumitra | Final split into Hinayana & Mahayana |
The "Three Baskets" were originally written in Pali.
Vinaya Pitaka: Rules of conduct for monks and nuns in the Sangha.
Sutta Pitaka: Buddha's sermons and teachings (largest basket).
Abhidhamma Pitaka: Philosophical analysis and systematization of teachings.
Jataka Tales: Stories of Buddha’s previous births.
Other texts: Milinda Panha and Buddhacharita.
Hinayana (Lesser Vehicle): Follows original teachings; no idol worship. Language: Pali.
Mahayana (Greater Vehicle): Idol worship; belief in Bodhisattvas. Language: Sanskrit.
Vajrayana (Diamond Vehicle): Tantric practices; popular in Tibet and Eastern India.
Stupa: Reliquary mounds.
Chaitya: Prayer halls.
Vihara: Monastic residences.
Avalokiteshvara (Padmapani): Compassion; lotus.
Maitreya: Future Buddha.
Vajrapani: Power; thunderbolt.
Manjushri: Wisdom; sword.