Buddhism

Buddhism is a Faith that was found by Siddhartha Gautma (‘The Buddha’) more than 2500 years ago in India.With about 470 million followers, Scholar consider Buddhism one of the major world’s Religion.

Buddha’s Life

• Siddhartha Gautma, founder of Buddhism, was Born in 563 BC on the vaisakha purnima day at Lumbinivana (Rummindehi district, Nepal) in the Sakya Kshatriya clan.
• His Father Suddhodhana was the republican king of Kapilvastu and mother Mahamaya was a Kollia republic.
• After’s his mother’s death, he was brought up by his step mother and aunt Mahaprajapati Gautmi.
• Four sights- an old man, a diseased person, a dead body, and an ascetic- proved to be a turning point in his carrier.
• At the age of 29, he renounced his home, Mahabhiniskramana and became a wandering ascetic.
• His first teacher was Alara Kalamna from whom he learnt the technique of meditation.
• His next teacher was Udraka Ramputra.
• At the age of 35, at Bodh Gaya on the bank of river Niranjana. he attained Nirvana(Enlightment) after 49 Days of continuous meditation he was fully enlightened.
• Buddha deliver his first sermon at Sarnath (Dear park) to his five disciples, this is known as Dharmachakra Pravartana
• He died at the age of 83 483BC at Kushinagar. This is known as Mahaparinirvana
• Kanthaka – Buddha’s horse, Channa – Buddha’s charioteer.

Great Event’s of Buddha’s life

• Janma(Birth) – Lotus and Bull
• Mahabhinishkramana (Renuciation) – Horse
• Nirvana/Sambodhi(Enlightenment) – Bodhi Tree
• Dharmachakra pravartana (first Sermon) – Wheel
• Mahaparinirvana(death) – Stupa

Doctrine of Buddhism

Four Noble Truths. It is the essence of Buddhism.

1. Life is full of sorrow(Dukha)
2. There are cause of sorrow (Dukha Samudaya)
3. The sorrow can be stopped(Dukha nirodha) ;Nirvana
4. There is a path leading to the cessation of sorrow (Dukha Nirodha Gamini)

Tritana i.e Three jwels of Buddhism

1. Buddha(the enlightened)
2. Dharma (doctrine)
3. Sangla (commune)

Buddhist Council, Year, Venue, Patron

• 1_st 483BC Rajgiraha – Ajatshatru( Haryanka Dynasty )
• 2_nd 383BC Vaishali – Kalashoka(Shishunga Dynasty)
• 3_rd 250 BC Patliputra – Ashoka ( Maurya Dynasty)
• 4_th 98 AD Kashmir – Kanishaka(kushana Dynasty)

Sects of Buddhism

• Hinayana (i.e the lesser vehicle) its followers believe in the original teaching.
• Mahayana (i.e the Greater vehicle) its followers believe in the heavenliness of Buddha
• Vajrayana – its followers believe that salvation could be best attained by acquiring the magical power, which they called Vajra.

Refference- https://www.history.com/topics/religion/buddhism