Religious Movements of Buddhism (600 BC - 400 BC)

Religious Movements of Buddhism (600 BC - 400 BC)

Buddha's Life

Birth and Background of Gautama Buddha

• Gautama Buddha, founder of Buddhism, was born in 563 BC (widely accepted), on the Vaisakha Purnima day at Lumbinivana (Rummindehi District, Nepal) in the Sakya Kshatriya clan.

• His father, Suddhodhan, was the republican king of Kapilvastu, and his mother, Mahamaya, was a princess of Kollia Republic.

Early Life and Family

• After his mother's early death, he was brought up by his stepmother and aunt Mahaprajapati Gautami.

• His father married him at an early age to Yasodhara (Princess of the Shakya dynasty), from whom he had a son, Rahul.

Turning Point in His Life

• Four sights—an old man, a diseased person, a dead body, and an ascetic—proved to be a turning point in his career.

Renunciation and Spiritual Search

• At the age of 29, he renounced home; this was his Mahabhinishkramana (great going forth) and became a wandering ascetic.

• His first teacher was Alara Kalama (Sankhya philosopher) from whom he learnt the technique of meditation.

Further Spiritual Journey

• His next teacher was Udraka Ramputra.

Enlightenment (Nirvana)

• At the age of 35, under a pipal tree at Uruvella (Bodh Gaya) on the bank of the river Niranjana (modern name Falgu)

• He attained Nirvana (enlightenment) after 49 days of continuous meditation

• Now he was a fully enlightened (Buddha or Tathagat).

First Sermon (Dharmachakra Pravartana)

• Buddha delivered his first sermon at Sarnath (Dear Park) to his five disciples; this is known as Dharmachakra Pravartana (Turning of the wheel of law).

• Death (Mahaparinirvana)

• He died at the age of 80 in 483 BC at Kushinagar (identical with the village Kasia in Kushinagar district of U.P.).

• This is known as Mahaparinirvana (Final Blowing Out).

Important Associated Figures

• Kanthaka – Buddha's horse

• Channa – Buddha's charioteer

• Devadatta – Buddha's cousin

• Sujata – The farmer's daughter who gave him rice milk at Bodh Gaya

Other Names of Buddha

• Gautama – Clan name

• Siddharta – Childhood name

• Shakya Muni

Doctrine of Buddhism

Chatwari Arya Satyani (Four Noble Truths)

It is the essence of Buddhism:

1. Life is full of sorrow (Dukha): Sabbam Dukkam.

2. There are causes of sorrow (Dukha Samudaya): Dwadash Nidan / Pratitya Samutpada.

3. This sorrow can be stopped (Dukha Nirodha): Nirvana.

4. There is a path leading to the cessation of sorrow (Dukha Nirodha Gamini Pratipada): Ashtangika Marga.

Note:

1. Pratitya Samutapada is also known as Hetuvada (theory of cause-effect) and Kshanabhanga Vada (theory of momentariness/impermanence).

2. Desire is the root cause of sorrow.

3. The ultimate aim of life is to attain nirvana, the eternal state of peace and bliss, which means liberation from the cycle of birth and death.The 

4. Ashtangika Marga (Eightfold Path) is:

   • Right observation

   • Right determination

   • Right speech

   • Right action

   • Right livelihood

   • Right exercise

   • Right memory

   • Right meditation

5. Madhya Marga / Madhyama Pratipada (The Middle Path)

6. Man should avoid both extremes, i.e., a life of comforts and luxury and a life of severe asceticism.

Triratna, i.e. Three Jewels of Buddhism

1. Buddha (the enlightened)

2. Dharma (doctrine)

3. Sangha (commune)

I. Pali Texts

• Tripitaka: Pitaka means 'basket', and it was called s, because the original texts were written on palm-leaves and kept in baskets.

  • Vinay Pitaka — monastic code

  • Sutta Pitaka — Buddha's sayings

  • Abhidhamma Pitaka — religious discourses of Buddha

  • Sutta Pitaka comprises:

    • Dighgha Nikaya

    • Majhim Nikaya

    • Sanyukta Nikaya

    • Anguttar Nikaya

    • Khuddak/Kshudraka Nikaya

• Milindapanho (i.e., Questions of Milinda) — a dialogue between Milinda (identical with Indo-Greek ruler Menander) and Buddhist saint Nagasena.

• Dipavamsha and Mahavamsha — The great chronicles of Sri Lanka

II. Sanskrit Texts

• Ashwagosha:

  • Buddha Charita

  • Saundarananda

  • Sutralankar

  • Sariputra Prakaran

  • Vajra Suchi

• Vasumitra:

  • Mahavibhasha Shastra

• Buddhagosha:

  • Visudhamagga

  • Atthakathayen

  • Sumangalvasird

• Nagarjuna:

  • Madhyamika Karika

  • Prajnaparimita Kanka

Sects of Buddhism

Hinayana (i.e., the Lesser Vehicle)

• Followers believed in the original teaching of Buddha.

• Sought individual salvation through self-discipline and meditation.

• Did not believe in idol worship.

• Favoured the Pali language.

• Known as the 'Southern Buddhist Religion', it prevailed in:

  • Sri Lanka

  • Burma (Myanmar)

  • Syam (Thailand)

  • Java, etc.

• Two subsects: Vaibhasika and Sautantrik

Mahayana (i.e., the Greater Vehicle)

• Followers believed in the heavenliness of Buddha.

• Sought the salvation of all through the grace and help of Buddha and Bodhisattva.

• Believed in idol worship.

• Favoured the Sanskrit language.

• Known as 'Northern Buddhist Religion', it prevailed in:

  • China

  • Korea

  • Japan, etc.

• Two subsects:

  • Madhyamika/Shunyavada (Founder: Nagarjuna)

  • Yogachar/Vijnanavada (Founder: Maitreyanath and his disciple Asanga)

Vajrayana

• Believed that salvation could be best attained by acquiring magical power, which they called Vajra.

• Chief divinities: Taras

• Popular in Eastern India, particularly Bengal and Bihar

Bodhisattvas

• Vajrapani: For example, Indra holds a thunderbolt, foe of sin and evil.

• Avlokitesvara (Padmapani): the lord who looks down, kind-hearted.

• Manjushri: Stimulator of understanding; holds a book describing 10 paramitas (spiritual perfections).

• Maitreya: The future Buddha.

• Kshitigriha: Guardian of purgatories.

• Amitabha/Amitayusha: Buddha of heaven

Sacred Shrines

• Lumbini — Birth

• Bodh Gaya — Enlightenment

• Sarnath — First Sermon

• Kusinagar — Death

These are the four principal events of Buddha’s life.

To these are added four more places:

• Sravasti

• Rajgriha

• Vaishali

• Sankasya

These eight places are considered the eight holy places (Ashtasthanas).

Other Centres of Buddhism in Ancient India

• Amaravati and Nagarjunikonda – Andhra Pradesh

• Nalanda – Bihar

• Junagadh and Vallabhi – Gujarat

• Sanchi and Bharhut – Madhya Pradesh

• Ajanta-Ellora – Maharashtra

• Dhaulagiri – Orissa

• Kannauj, Kaushambi, Mathura – Uttar Pradesh

• Jagadala, Somapuri – West Bengal

Buddhist Architecture

1. Stupa — Relics of the Buddha or some prominent Buddhist monks are preserved.

2. Chaitya — Prayer hall

3. Vihara — Residence/monasteries

Royal Patrons of Buddhism

• Bimbisara and Ajatashatru (Magadhan ruler)

• Prasenjit (Kosala ruler)

• Udayan (Vatsa ruler)

• Pradyota (Avanti ruler)

• Ashoka and Dasharatha (Mauryan ruler)

• Milinda/Menander (Indo-Greek ruler)

• Kanishka (Kushana ruler)

• Harshavardhana (Vardhana ruler)

• Gopala, Dharmapala, and Rampala (Pala rulers)

Note:

1. Ashoka, the greatest patron of Buddhism, called the 3rd Buddhist Council and sent a mission, comprising his son Mahendra and his daughter Sanghamitra, to Sri Lanka.

2. Kanishka called the 4th Buddhist Council and sent missions to China, Korea, and Japan.

3. Palas of Bengal and Bihar were the last great patrons of Buddhism.

Prominent Buddhist Scholars

3rd Century BC

• Mogaliputta Tissa: Contemporary of Mauryan King Ashoka, Chairman of the 3rd Buddhist Council held at Pataliputra in 250 BC

• Upagupta: According to the Chinese pilgrim Hiuen Tsang, spiritual guru of Mauryan ruler Ashoka

• Mahendra & Sanghamitra: Son and daughter of Mauryan King Ashoka, both went to Sri Lanka with a sapling of the Bodhi tree, planted at Anuradhapura, and spread Buddhism in Sri Lanka

2nd Century BC

• Nagasena: A Buddhist monk; Indo-Greek ruler Menander was influenced by Nagasena and turned into a Buddhist.

• Famous work: 'Milindpannaho', i.e., Questions of Milind, a dialogue between Milind (Menander) and Nagasena (identified as Nagarjuna)

1st Century AD

• Kashyap Matang: Went to China in 67 AD on the invitation of King Ming (58–75 AD); first Buddhist monk in China; spread Buddhism and died there.

• Vasumitra: Philosopher and courtier of Kushan ruler Kanishka; Chairman of 4th Buddhist Council held at Kundalvan, Kashmir in 98 AD

• Work: 'Mahavibhasa Shastra' (Commentary on Tripitaka; known as Encyclopedia of Buddhist religion)

80–150 AD

• Ashwaghosha: Multitalented Buddhist scholar and courtier of Kanishka; Deputy Chairman of the 4th Council

• Major Works:

  • "Buddha Charit" 

  • "Saundaranand"

  • "Sariputra Prakaran" 

  • "Vajrasuchi"

2nd Century AD

• Nagarjuna: Propounder of Madhyamika/Shunyavad branch of Mahayana sect, Friend of Satavahana ruler Yajnashri Gautamiputra (166–96 AD)

• Major Works:

  • "Madhyamika Karika"

  • "Prajnaparimita Karika"

• Disciple: Aryadeva (3rd century AD)

4th Century AD

• Asang: An Amatya (minister) of the Gupta ruler Samudragupta (335–75 AD); prominent commentator of the Yogachar/Vijnanavada branch

• Major Works:

  • "Yogachar Bhumishastra"

  • "Vajrachhediha Tika"

• Vasubandhu: Younger brother of Asanga

• Major Work: "Vijnaptimatrata Siddhi"

345–425 AD

• Dingnag: Founder of Buddhist Logic

Born 390 AD

• Buddhaghosa: Important commentator

• Major Works:

  • "Vishuddhimagg" (Key of Tripitaka)

  • "Sumangalvilasird" (Commentary on Dighgha Nikaya)

5th Century AD

• Chandragomin: Buddhist grammarian

• Famous work: "Chandravyakaran"

7th Century AD

• Chandrakriti: Buddhist philosopher

• Diwakarmitra: Buddhist monk and courtier of Harshavardhana

8th Century AD

• Shantirakshit: Teacher at Nalanda Mahavihar; visited Tibet on the invitation of the Tibetan ruler

9th Century AD

• Padmasambhava: Buddhist monk; visited Tibet, spread Buddhism

• Founder of the 'Lama' sect in Tibet

981–1054 AD

• Dipankar Srijnan Aatish: Known as The Last Buddhist Acharya of India

• Head of Vikramshila and other Mahavihars

• At age 60, I went to Tibet and never returned

Final Thoughts

The life of Gautama Buddha, from his birth at Lumbini to his enlightenment at Bodh Gaya and final Mahaparinirvana at Kushinagar, marks a journey of deep spiritual transformation.

His teachings, especially the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path, offer practical guidance to overcome suffering and attain inner peace. Buddhism emphasized the Middle Path, avoiding both extreme indulgence and severe asceticism.

Over time, the religion evolved into different sects like Hinayana, Mahayana, and Vajrayana, each with unique interpretations, yet rooted in the Buddha’s original message.

Supported by great patrons like Ashoka and Kanishka, and preserved through councils and scholars, Buddhism spread across Asia and left a lasting impact on philosophy, art, and culture. Today, it continues to inspire people worldwide with its message of compassion, mindfulness, and liberation.