Buddhism and Jainism
Causes for the rise of heterodox Sects:
1) Dominance of Brahmins and complexity of rituals
2) Other varnas wanted to rise in the social ladder to upgrade their status.
3) New shift from cattle rearing to agriculture in the north- eastern india demanded the preservation of cattle from brahminical sacrifices.
Teachings of Buddha:
4 noble truths
1) The world is full of sorrows and miseries
2) zeal is the cause of all sufferings
3) zeal can be surmounted
4) We can overcome our sufferings by following the 8 fold paths.
Buddha always prescribed the middle path( Madhyamaka) and believed in trans-migration of soul, Karma and agnostism (agnanavadha)
First Buddhist Council:
Time:483 BC Place : Rajagriha
King: Magadha Emperor Ajatashatru
President: Mahakashyapa
Ananda recited Suttapitaka( code of conduct for monks)
Uppali recited Vinayapitaka( code of conduct for Sanghas)
Second Buddhist Council:
Time: 383 BC place: Vaishali
President : Sabbakami
Patron: Kalasoka, emperor of Sisunga Dynasty
Buddhism got divide into:
Mahasanghikas- Liberals
Theravadins- Conservatives
Third Buddist Council:
Time: 256 BC place: Pataliputra
Ruler: Ashoka
Patron: Mogalipa Tissa
Abhinanda pitaka ( 3rd pitaka) which explains the tenets dharma was compiled.
4th Buddhist Council:
Place: Kashmir
Ruler: Kanishka
Vibhashashastra was compiled by Vasumitra, which explains the difficult Buddhist aspects in Sanskrit language.
Again Buddhism broke into 2 schools:
1) Theravadins became Hinayana
2)Mahasanghikas became Mahayana
Hinayana Buddhists:
They are orthodox Sects who believe that Buddha was a great soul and not any God. They concentrated on the liberation of themselves, rejected bhakti movement and idol worshipping. Their scripture were written in Pali. Today they're present in Srilanka, Burma and Java .
Mahayana Buddhists:
They believed Buddha was an incarnation of God. There were Bodhisattvas who delayed their salvation for the salvation of others. They believed in rebirth and their texts were in Sanskrit. Their religion was centered along the Andhra region.
It was later divided into Shunyavad by Nagarjuna and Vignanavad by Asanga.
Later Mahayana developed into Vajrayana and Mantrayana which worshiped Avilokiteshwara as incarnation of Buddha.
Spread of Buddhism:
Kanishka made it Popular in Central Asia
Harshavardhana, the last Emperor of India was converted into Buddhism by Huien Tsang and conducted Buddhist conferences called Sangeethis at Prayag.
Causes for the decline of Buddhism:
Concept of incarnation and the adoption of hindu rituals made Brahminism to include Buddha as an Avatar . Concept of Tantrika and the emergence of Nepal Tantric Buddhism ,further weakened the religion.
Jainism:
1) It emerged during the Rig Vedic times itself.
2) It has totally 24 Tirtankaras , where Rishaba Deva is considered as the first Tirtankara.
3) Parsvanabha( Prince of Kashi) was the 23rd Tirtankara and he coined the term Jina( conqueror of Senses), thus he's considered as the founder of Jainism.
Parsvanath formulated the four principles of Jainism:
1) Sathya- Truth
2) Ahimsa- non-violence
3) Asteya- restraint from stealing
4) Aparigraha- non possession of property
Vardhamana Mahavira:
He's the 24th Tirtankara and is considered as the most important among the Tirtankaras .
He formulated the fifth principle of Brahmacharya( Celibacy).
He gave the three Ratnas( jwels) of jainism
1) Right Faith
2) Right Knowledge
3) Right Conduct
He pronounced the theory of Anekanantvada , which says no knowledge is permanent and both animate and non- animate things have life.
First Jain Council:
Place: Pataliputra
President: Sthulabahu
The 14 Purvas of Mahavira were reduced into 12 Angas
After this Council the Religion was divided into 2 Sects:
1) Swethambara- Liberals ( followers of Sthulabahu)
2) Digambaras- Conservatives ( followers of Badrabahu)
Second Jain Council:
Place: Vallabhi, Gujarat Time: 513 AD
President: Devavrata Kshamaramana
12 Angas were again reduced into 12 Upangas( Sub Chapters)
Differences between Jainism and Buddhism:
1) Jainism emphasizes more on non- violence while for Buddhism detachment is the primary goal and violence becomes inevitable
2) Jainism advocated 'Kaivalya' or 'Gnana Marga' ( Knowledge path) while Buddhism advocated Karma Marga( action path) for Salvation of soul.
Content Credits: Leo Vishnu Varthan
