<<–2/”>a >a href=”https://exam.pscnotes.com/Buddhism-2/”>Buddhism is a world religion and is based on the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama, who is known as the Buddha (literally the Enlightened One or Awakened One). Siddhārtha Gautama was the historical founder of Buddhism. After asceticism and meditation, he discovered the Buddhist Middle Way—a path of moderation away from the extremes of self-indulgence and self-mortification. Early texts suggest that Gautama was not familiar with the dominant religious teachings of his time until he left on his religious quest, which is said to have been motivated by existential concern for the human condition.
Siddhartha was born in a royal Hindu Kshatriya family. The Buddha’s father was King Śuddhodana, the leader of Shakya clan, whose capital was Kapilavastu, Uttar Pradesh. Queen Maya, his mother, on her way to her father’s kingdom gave birth to her son at Lumbini, Nepal, in a garden beneath a sal tree. The infant was given the name
Siddhartha (Pāli: Siddhattha), meaning “he who achieves his aim”. During the birth celebrations, the hermit seer Asita journeyed from his mountain abode and announced that the child would either become a great king (chakravartin) or a great holy man.
When he reached the age of 16, his father arranged his marriage to a cousin Yaśodharā They had a son, named Rahul. Siddhartha is then said to have spent 29 years as a prince in Kapilavastu. Although his father ensured that Siddhartha was provided with everything he could want or need, Buddhist scriptures say that the future Buddha felt that material wealth was not life’s ultimate goal.
At the age of 29, Siddhartha left his palace to meet his subjects. Despite his father’s efforts to hide from him the sick, aged and suffering, Siddhartha was said to have seen an old man. When his charioteer Channa explained to him that all people grew old, the prince went on further trips beyond the palace. On these he encountered a diseased man, a decaying corpse, and an ascetic. These depressed him, and he initially strove to overcome ageing, sickness, and death by living the life of an ascetic and hence left his princely abode for the life of a mendicant.
Gautama initially went to Rajagaha and began his ascetic life by begging for alms in the street. After King Bimbisara’s men recognised Siddhartha and the king learned of his quest, Bimisara offered Siddhartha the throne. Siddhartha rejected the offer, but promised to visit his kingdom of Magadha first, upon attaining enlightenment. He left Rajagaha and practised under two hermit teachers. After mastering the teachings of Alara Kalama (Skr. Ārāda Kālāma), he was asked by Kalama to succeed him.
Siddhartha and a group of five companions led by Kaundinya are then said to have set out to take their austerities even further. They tried to find enlightenment through deprivation of worldly goods, including food, practicing self-mortification. After nearly starving himself to death by restricting his food intake to around a leaf or nut per day, he collapsed in a river while bathing and almost drowned. Siddhartha began to reconsider his path. Then, he remembered a moment in childhood in which he had been watching his father start the season’s plowing. He attained a concentrated and focused state that was blissful and refreshing, the jhāna.
According to the early Buddhist texts, after realizing that meditative jhana was the right path to awakening, but that extreme asceticism didn’t work, Gautama discovered what Buddhists call the Middle Way—a path of moderation away from the extremes of self-indulgence and self-mortification.
Gautama was famously seated under a banyan tree – now known as the Bodhi tree – in Bodh Gaya, India, when he vowed never to arise until he had found the truth. Kaundinya and four other companions, believing that he had abandoned his search and become undisciplined, left. After a reputed 49 days of meditation, he is said to have attained Enlightenment. From that time, Gautama was known to his followers as the Buddha or “Awakened One” (“Buddha” is also sometimes translated as “The Enlightened One”). He is often referred to in Buddhism as Shakyamuni Buddha, or “The Awakened One of the Shakya Clan.”
According to Buddhism, at the time of his awakening he realized complete insight into the cause of suffering, and the steps necessary to eliminate it. These discoveries became known as the “Four Noble Truths”, which are at the heart of Buddhist teaching. Through mastery of these truths, a state of supreme liberation, or Nirvana, is believed to be possible for any being. The Buddha described Nirvāna as the perfect peace of a mind that’s free from ignorance, greed, hatred and other afflictive states, or “defilements” (kilesas). Nirvana is also regarded as the “end of the world”, in that no personal identity or boundaries of the mind remain. In such a state, a being is said to possess the Ten Characteristics, belonging to every Buddha.
After his awakening, the Buddha met two merchants, named Tapussa and Bhallika, who became his first lay disciples. The Buddha intended to visit Asita, and his former teachers, Alara Kalama and Uddaka Ramaputta, to explain his findings, but they had already died. He then travelled to the Deer Park near Vārānasī (Benares) in northern India, where he set in motion what Buddhists call the Wheel of Dharma by delivering his first sermon to the five companions with whom he had sought enlightenment. Together with him, they formed the first Sangha: the company of Buddhist monks. All five become Arahants, and within the first two months, with the conversion of Yasa and fifty four of his friends, the number of such Arahants is said to have grown to 60. The conversion of three brothers named Kassapa followed, with their reputed 200, 300 and 500 disciples, respectively. This swelled the Sangha to more than 1000.
For the remaining years of his life, the Buddha is said to have travelled in the Gangetic Plain, in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and southern Nepal, teaching a diverse range of people: from nobles to outcaste street sweepers, murderers such as Angulimala, and cannibals such as Alavaka. From the outset, Buddhism was equally open to all races and classes, and had no caste structure. The Sangha traveled through the subcontinent, expounding the Dharma. This continued throughout the year, except during the four months of the Vassana rainy season when ascetics of all religions rarely travelled. One reason was that it was more difficult to do so without causing harm to animal life. At this time of year, the Sangha would retreat to monasteries, public parks or forests, where people would come to them.
The first Vassana was spent at Varanasi when the Sangha was formed. After this, the Buddha kept a promise to travel to Rajagaha, capital of Magadha, to visit King Bimbisara. During this visit, Sariputta and Maudgalyayana were converted by Assaji, one of the first five disciples, after which they were to become the Buddha’s two foremost followers. The Buddha spent the next three seasons at Veluvana Bamboo Grove monastery in Rajagaha, capital of Magadha.
Upon hearing of his son’s awakening, King Suddhodana sent, over a period of time, ten delegations to ask him to return to Kapilavastu. On the first nine occasions, the delegates failed to deliver the message, and instead joined the Sangha to become Arahants. The tenth delegation, led by Kaludayi, a childhood friend of Gautama’s (who also became an Arahant), however, delivered the message.
Two years after his awakening, the Buddha agreed to return, and made a two-month journey by foot to Kapilavastu, teaching the Dharma as he went. Buddhist texts say that King Suddhodana invited the Sangha into the palace for a meal, followed by a Dharma talk. After this he is said to have become a Sotapanna. During the visit, many members of the royal family joined the Sangha. The Buddha’s cousins Ananda and Anuruddha became two of his five chief disciples. At the age of seven, his son Rahul also joined, and became one of his ten chief disciples. His half-brother Nanda also joined and became an Arahant.
Of the Buddha’s disciples , Sariputta , Maudgalyayana , Mahakasyapa, Ananda and Anuruddha are believed to have been the five closest to him. His ten foremost disciples were reputedly completed by the quintet of Upali, Subhoti, Rahula, Mahakaccana and Punna. In the fifth Vassana, the Buddha was staying at Mahavana near Vesali when he heard news of the impending death of his father. He is said to have gone to King Suddhodana and taught the Dharma, after which his father became an Arahant.
The king’s death and cremation was to inspire the creation of an order of nuns. Buddhist texts record that the Buddha was reluctant to ordain Women. His foster mother Maha Pajapati, for example, approached him, asking to join the Sangha, but he refused. Maha Pajapati, however, was so intent on the path of awakening that she led a group of royal Sakyan and Koliyan ladies, which followed the Sangha on a long journey to Rajagaha. In time, after Ananda championed their cause, the Buddha is said to have reconsidered and, five years after the formation of the Sangha, agreed to the ordination of women as nuns. He reasoned that males and females had an equal capacity for awakening. But he gave women additional rules (Vinaya) to follow.
Buddha found patronage in the ruler of Magadha, emperor Bimbisara. The emperor accepted Buddhism as personal faith and allowed the establishment of many Buddhist “Viharas.” This eventually led to the renaming of the entire region as Bihar.
The Maurya empire reached its peak at the time of Emperor Asoka, who himself converted to Buddhism after the Battle of Kalinga. This heralded a long period of stability under the Buddhist emperor. The power of the empire was vast – ambassadors were sent to other countries to propagate Buddhism. The Buddha did not appoint any successor and asked his followers to work for personal salvation. The teachings of the Buddha existed only in oral traditions. The Sangha held a number of Buddhist Councils in order to reach consensus on matters of Buddhist doctrine and practice. Buddha attained Parinirvana in the abandoned jungles of Kuśināra, modern Kushinagar in Uttar Pradesh.
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Buddhism is a religion that originated in India over 2,500 years ago. It is based on the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama, who is also known as the Buddha. The Buddha taught that the cause of suffering is desire, and that the way to end suffering is to follow the Eightfold Path.
The Four Noble Truths are the foundation of Buddhist teachings. They are:
- Suffering exists.
- Suffering is caused by attachment.
- Suffering can be ended.
- The way to end suffering is to follow the Eightfold Path.
The Eightfold Path is a set of eight steps that lead to enlightenment. The steps are:
- Right understanding
- Right thought
- Right speech
- Right action
- Right livelihood
- Right effort
- Right mindfulness
- Right concentration
The Three Marks of Existence are three characteristics that are common to all experience. They are:
- Impermanence: All things are impermanent and constantly changing.
- Suffering: All life is characterized by suffering.
- Emptiness: There is no permanent, unchanging self or soul.
The Twelve Nidanas are a chain of twelve links that explain how suffering arises. The links are:
- Ignorance
- Mental formations
- Consciousness
- Name and form
- Six sense bases
- Contact
- Feeling
- Craving
- Clinging
- Becoming
- Birth
- Aging and death
The Buddha’s life is a story of enlightenment and compassion. He was born into a wealthy family in India, but he renounced his wealth and privilege to seek enlightenment. After six years of study and meditation, he attained enlightenment under the Bodhi tree. He then spent the rest of his life teaching others how to achieve enlightenment.
The Sangha is the community of Buddhist monks, nuns, and laypeople. The Sangha provides support and guidance to its members on their journey to enlightenment.
The Dharma is the teachings of the Buddha. The Dharma is a vast and complex body of teachings, but it can be summarized as the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path.
Nirvana is the state of perfect peace and happiness that is free from suffering. It is the ultimate goal of Buddhist practice.
Karma is the law of cause and effect. According to karma, our actions have consequences, both good and bad. Our actions in this life will affect our future lives.
Rebirth is the belief that we are reborn into new bodies after we die. According to Buddhism, our rebirth is determined by our karma.
Enlightenment is the state of perfect understanding and compassion. It is the goal of Buddhist practice.
Meditation is a practice that helps us to develop concentration, mindfulness, and wisdom. It is a central part of Buddhist practice.
Mindfulness is the practice of paying attention to the present moment without judgment. It is a key part of Buddhist meditation.
Compassion is the desire to help others and to relieve their suffering. It is one of the most important qualities in Buddhism.
Wisdom is the understanding of the true nature of reality. It is the goal of Buddhist practice.
Generosity is the practice of giving to others without expecting anything in return. It is one of the five precepts of Buddhism.
Patience is the ability to tolerate difficult situations without getting angry or upset. It is one of the five precepts of Buddhism.
Kindness is the desire to do good to others. It is one of the five precepts of Buddhism.
Diligence is the effort to improve oneself and to help others. It is one of the five precepts of Buddhism.
Truthfulness is the practice of speaking truthfully and honestly. It is one of the five precepts of Buddhism.
Non-violence is the practice of avoiding harm to others. It is one of the five precepts of Buddhism.
Non-stealing is the practice of not taking what does not belong to you. It is one of the five precepts of Buddhism.
Chastity is the practice of sexual restraint. It is one of the five precepts of Buddhism.
Moderation is the practice of avoiding extremes. It is one of the five precepts of Buddhism.
Contentment is the satisfaction with what one has. It is one of the five precepts of Buddhism.
Equanimity is the ability to remain calm and balanced in difficult situations. It is one of the five precepts of Buddhism.
These are just some of the key concepts in Buddhism. It is a vast and complex religion, but it offers a powerful path to enlightenment and compassion.
What is Buddhism?
Buddhism is a religion and philosophy that originated in India over 2,500 years ago. It is based on the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama, who is also known as the Buddha. The Buddha taught that suffering is caused by desire and that the way to end suffering is to follow the Eightfold Path.
What are the Four Noble Truths?
The Four Noble Truths are the foundation of Buddhist teachings. They are:
- Suffering exists.
- Suffering is caused by desire.
- Suffering can be ended.
- The way to end suffering is to follow the Eightfold Path.
What is the Eightfold Path?
The Eightfold Path is a set of guidelines for living a moral and ethical life. It includes:
- Right understanding
- Right thought
- Right speech
- Right action
- Right livelihood
- Right effort
- Right mindfulness
- Right concentration
What is karma?
Karma is the law of cause and effect. It is the belief that our actions in this life will affect our future lives.
What is reincarnation?
Reincarnation is the belief that after we die, our soul is reborn into a new body. This cycle of death and rebirth is known as samsara.
What is nirvana?
Nirvana is the ultimate goal of Buddhism. It is a state of perfect peace and happiness, free from suffering.
Who is the Buddha?
The Buddha was a teacher who lived in India over 2,500 years ago. He is considered the founder of Buddhism. The Buddha was born Siddhartha Gautama into a wealthy family. He grew up in a palace and was shielded from the suffering of the world. However, one day he left the palace and saw the suffering of the world. He realized that the cause of suffering is desire and that the way to end suffering is to follow the Eightfold Path. The Buddha taught for 45 years and died at the age of 80.
What are the different schools of Buddhism?
There are many different schools of Buddhism. The two main schools are Theravada and Mahayana. Theravada Buddhism is the oldest school of Buddhism. It is practiced in Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam. Mahayana Buddhism is the newer school of Buddhism. It is practiced in China, Japan, Korea, Tibet, and Mongolia.
What is the role of women in Buddhism?
Women have always played an important role in Buddhism. The Buddha’s mother, Mahapajapati Gotami, was one of his first disciples. Many women have become enlightened beings, known as bodhisattvas. In Mahayana Buddhism, there are many female bodhisattvas, such as Guanyin and Tara.
What is the future of Buddhism?
Buddhism is a growing religion. It is estimated that there are over 500 million Buddhists in the world. Buddhism is growing in the West, particularly in the United States.
- What is the Four Noble Truths?
(A) The Four Noble Truths are the foundation of Buddhism. They are: - Suffering exists.
- Suffering is caused by attachment.
- Suffering can be ended.
- The way to end suffering is to follow the Eightfold Path.
(B) The Four Noble Truths are the four stages of enlightenment. They are:
1. Right understanding.
2. Right thought.
3. Right speech.
4. Right action.
(C) The Four Noble Truths are the four types of meditation. They are:
1. Concentration meditation.
2. Mindfulness meditation.
3. Insight meditation.
4. Loving-kindness meditation.
(D) The Four Noble Truths are the four types of karma. They are:
1. Good karma.
2. Bad karma.
3. Neutral karma.
4. No karma.
- What is the Eightfold Path?
(A) The Eightfold Path is the way to end suffering. It is a set of eight steps that lead to enlightenment. The steps are: - Right understanding.
- Right thought.
- Right speech.
- Right action.
- Right livelihood.
- Right effort.
- Right mindfulness.
- Right concentration.
(B) The Eightfold Path is the way to achieve nirvana. It is a set of eight steps that lead to the end of suffering and the realization of true self. The steps are:
1. Right understanding.
2. Right thought.
3. Right speech.
4. Right action.
5. Right livelihood.
6. Right effort.
7. Right mindfulness.
8. Right concentration.
(C) The Eightfold Path is the way to achieve enlightenment. It is a set of eight steps that lead to the realization of true self and the end of suffering. The steps are:
1. Right understanding.
2. Right thought.
3. Right speech.
4. Right action.
5. Right livelihood.
6. Right effort.
7. Right mindfulness.
8. Right concentration.
(D) The Eightfold Path is the way to achieve nirvana. It is a set of eight steps that lead to the end of suffering and the realization of true self. The steps are:
1. Right understanding.
2. Right thought.
3. Right speech.
4. Right action.
5. Right livelihood.
6. Right effort.
7. Right mindfulness.
8. Right concentration.
- What is nirvana?
(A) Nirvana is the state of perfect peace and happiness. It is the goal of Buddhism.
(B) Nirvana is the state of enlightenment. It is the state of being free from suffering and the realization of true self.
(C) Nirvana is the state of non-existence. It is the state of being free from the cycle of rebirth.
(D) Nirvana is the state of being one with the universe. It is the state of being free from all attachments and desires.
- What is karma?
(A) Karma is the law of cause and effect. It is the belief that our actions in this life will affect our future lives.
(B) Karma is the belief that we are all interconnected. It is the belief that our actions affect not only ourselves, but also others.
(C) Karma is the belief in reincarnation. It is the belief that we are reborn into new lives after we die.
(D) Karma is the belief in a higher power. It is the belief that there is a force greater than ourselves that guides our lives.
- What is the Dalai Lama?
(A) The Dalai Lama is the spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism. He is the head of the Gelugpa school of Tibetan Buddhism and is considered to be the 14th incarnation of AvalokiteÅvara, the bodhisattva of compassion.
(B) The Dalai Lama is the political leader of Tibet. He was the head of state of Tibet from 1950 to 1959, when he fled to India after the Chinese invasion of Tibet.
(C) The Dalai Lama is a Nobel Peace Prize laureate. He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989 for his work for peace and non-violence.
(D) The Dalai Lama is a world-renowned spiritual leader. He has traveled the world extensively, giving talks and teaching about Buddhism.