1 Buddhism, Jainism and Heterodox Philosophy
1.1 Buddhism:
Mid-first millennium BCE (around 500 BCE) is often regarded as turning point in world history - emergence of thinkers such as Zarathustra (Iran), Kong Zi (China), Socrates, Aristotle & Plato, Mahavira & Gautam Buddha.
2. Reasons for rise of Buddhism: Strong republican institutions in 6th century BC -> enabled rise of heterodox sects against orthodox religion. Complex rites and rituals -> not accepted to common people. Need of people - simple short and intelligible salvation. Rigid caste system -> tensions cos of privilege accorded to higher castes. Birth of new merchant class -> supporting new religions (since Varna system didn't allow enhanced social standing).
3. Several pre-existing traditions of though, religious belief and practice. Rigveda compiled between 1500-1000 BCE, consists of hymns in praise of variety of deities. People were curious about meaning of life, life after death. Debates and discussions took place in kutagarashala - hut with a pointed roof or in groves where travelling mendicants halted. Many of these teachers, including Mahavira and Buddha, questioned authority of the vedas. //Chandogya Upanishad (Sama Veda) - verses on nature of self and true sacrifice.
Buddha and his hagiography (biography of religious leader) – born (Lotus) Siddhartha in Sakya clan in Lumbini, was a Kshatriya, he had a sheltered upbringing. First journey to outside world was traumatic - saw an old man, sick man and a corpse. Siddhartha decided to renounce world. Mahabhiniskramana Age 29, (Horse- Kanthaka). Meditated for several days and attained enlightenment at Bodh Gaya. Called Buddha or the Enlightened One (Sambodhi-Bodhic tree). Taught dhamma or the path of righteous living for the rest of his life. Gave first sermon at Sarnath (Dharmachakra Parivartana – Chakra) and attained nirvana at Kusinagara. (Stupa).
Buddhist texts - Teachings of Buddha compiled at Vaishali, known as Tripitaka - 3 baskets to hold different types of texts. Sutta Pitaka - Buddha's teaching were included in here. Vinaya Pitaka - rules and regulations for those who joined the sangh. Abhidhamma Pitaka - dealt with philosophical matters.
Other texts such as Dipavamsa (chronicle of island), Mahavamsa (great chronicle) - written in Pali contain regional (Sri Lankan) histories of Buddhism.
7. Teachings of Buddha - Reconstructed from stories mainly found in Sutta Pitaka. According to Buddhist philosophy, world is transient (anicca) and constantly changing. It is soulless (anatta) as there is nothing permanent in it. Within transient world, sorrow (dukkha) is intrinsic to human existence. Four noble truths - (1) world full of suffering (Dukka) (2) cause of suffering is desire (Samudaya) (3) Conquering Greed one can attain nirvana (Niroda) (4) There is a way to prevent misery. (Magga). Follow 8 fold path. Right view, resolve, speech, conduct, livelihood, effort, mindfulness, concentration.
8. Gautama taught a middle way between sensual indulgence and the severe asceticism found in the śramaṇa movement. By following the path of moderation between severe penance and self indulgence that human beings can rise above worldly troubles. Pratityasamudpada: Cause and effect relationship. Buddhist code of conduct: Don’t steal, No violence, no intoxicants, no lies, no corrupt practices.
9. In earliest forms of Buddhism, whether or not god existed was irrelevant. Social world was creation of humans rather than divine origin, hence advised kings and gahapatis to be humane and ethical. Emphasized individual agency and righteous action as the means to escape from cycle of rebirth and attain self realization and nirvana. Great emphasis on law of karma. Soul doesn't exist -> emphasized ahimsa. Identical w morality and emphasized purity of thought, word and deed. Against social distinction and order open to all. He later taught throughout other regions of eastern India such as Magadha and Kosala.
10. Imp disciples - Sariputta, Moggallana, Ananda, Kassapa, Upali. Prasenjit (Kosala), Ajatasatru (Magadh) disciples. Followers of Buddha - Ananda, Buddha's disciple, persuaded Buddha to allow women into sanghas. Buddha's foster mother, Mahapajapati Gotami, first woman to be ordained. Khema and Uppalavanna - his two chief female disciples. Many went on to become teachers of dhamma and theris (respected women who had attained liberation). Therigatha - collection of short poem of elder nuns. Part of Khuddaka Nikaya within Sutta Pitaka (Theravada Buddhism). The importance attached to conduct and values rather than claims of superiority based on birth, emphasis on metta (fellow feeling) and karuna (compassion) were ideas that dew people to Buddhist teachings. Concerned himself with practical problems concerning man.
11. Spread - two kinds of disciples - monks (bikshus) & lay worshippers (upasikas), monks org into sanghas. Rapid progress cos of efforts made by Sanghas. Three jewels of Buddhism: Buddha, Sanga, Dhamma. Through missionary effort -> local religious sect now world religion. 1st council - Rajagriha under Mahakasapa to maintain purity of teachings. 2nd council - Vaishali. 3rd - Pataliputra - Ashoka patronage, Tripitakas finalized. 4th council - Kashmir under Vasumitra - new school of Buddhism (Mahayana). Original - Hinayana.
12. Heenayana and Mahayana Comparison
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Heenayana
(Lesser Vehicle)
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Mahayana
(Higher Vehicle)
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Anti
Changes, Believed in original teaching
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Pro-changes,
Heavenliness of Buddha
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Salvation
through grace of Buddha
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Language
Pali
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Language
Sanskrit
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No
idol worships, Symbol (Stupa, Tree)
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Idol
Worshippers
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Southern
Buddhist- Vaibhaika, Sautrantika
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Northern
Buddhist: Madhyamika, Yogachar
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14. Vajrayana Buddhism: Salvation through acquiring magical powers, Amravati- birth place of Vajrayana Buddhism.
Earliest viharas were made of wood and then of brick. Often land was donated by rich merchant or landowner or king.
Great stupa at Sanchi - rulers of Bhopal - Shahjehan Begum and Sultan Jehan Begum provided money for preservation. John Marshall (ASI)
17. Stupas -Chaityas derived from the word chita and by extension meaning a funerary mound. Tradition of erecting stupas was pre-Buddhist but came to be associated with Buddhism. They contained some relics so entire stupa was venerated as emblem of Buddha and Buddhism. Asokavandana - Asoka distributed portion of Buddha's relics to every important town and ordered construction of stupa over them. Eg Bharhut, Sanchi and Sarnath.
18. Structure of stupas
19. Elliot marbles - Walter Elliot collected sculpture panels of Amravati stupa were called so. H.H. Cole to the rescue of the structure.
20. Shalabhanjika - woman whose touch caused trees to flower and bear fruit. People who turned to Buddhism enriched it with their non-Buddhist beliefs such as these. Early sculptures didn't show Buddha in human form but through symbols - stupa was representation of mahanirvana, wheel - stood for first sermon of Buddha.
21. Paintings at Ajanta depict stories from Jatakas.
New religious traditions - 1st century AD evidence of changes in Buddhist ideas and practices. Bodhisatta perceived as deeply compassionate beings who accumulated merit through their efforts but didn't attain nirvana to help others. Worship of Buddha and Bodhisattas became important part of this tradition. New way of thinking called Mahayana - literally the great vehicle. Followers of older tradition describe themselves as theravadins, path of the old. Boddisatvas: Previous births of Buddha- Avalokitheshwar (Padmapani), Manjusri (books), Vajrapani, Padmasambhava, Amitabha (Buddha of Heaven), Maitreya (Future Buddha)
23. Growth of Puranic Hinduism - notion of savior not unique Buddhism. Similar ideas in Hinduism - Vaishnavism (Vishnu worshipped as principal deity) and Saivism (Shiva the chief god). Bond between the devotee and god visualized as one of love & devotion (bhakti). Vaishnavism - 10 avatars recognized within the tradition, recognizing local deities was one way of creating more unified religious traditions.
24. Decline in India - cos of revival of Brahmanism and Bhagavatism. Buddhists adopted elite Sanskrit narrowing their base. Mahayana Buddhism -> idol worship and offerings. Attack of invaders - Huns and Turks - destroyed monasteries. Significance - concept of ahimsa, contribution to art and architecture (stupas, chaityas, viharas), promoted education (Taxila, Nalanda, Vikramshila), spread of Indian culture to other parts of Asia.
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