- Buddhism was founded by Gautam Buddha ( Siddharta).
- He belonged to the republican tribe Sakyas of Kapilvastu.
- He was born in 563 B.C at Lumbini ( Nepal).
- He is said to renounce world at the age of 29 years after witnessing four scenes in a sequence (Old Man, Sick Man, Dead Body and ascetic) and attained nirvana at 35 years of age at Bodhgaya ( in Bihar ) under a peepal tree on the Banks of Niranjan (Phalgu) river on the 49th day of his meditation.
- He delivered his first sermon ( Dharamchakra Parivarthana ) at sarnath and died at the age of 80 years in 483 B.C at Kushinagar in U.P.
- Since Buddha was born in republican clan of Sakyas , He was Known as Sakyamuni.
Important people associated with Buddha:
Suddhodana (Father) ,
Mahamaya (Mother),
Yasodhara (Wife),
Rahula (Son),
Devdatta (Cousin),
Alara Kalama of Vaisali (his first tutor),
Gautami (Step Mother and also she was first Buddhist Nun),
Ananda (His favourite Disciple),
Channa (Charioteer),
Kanthaka (His Horse),
Kassapa or Kasyapa (His most learned disciple),
Upali ( barber),
Yasa (Rich Youth).
Five Important Events and the Related Symbols
- Birth: Lotus and Bull.
- Great-Renunciation:Horse.
- Nirvana: Bodhi Tree.
- First Sermon : Dharmachakra Parivartan (8 Spoked wheel).
- MahaParinirvana (Death): Stupa.
Four Noble Truths (Arya Satyas)
- The world is full of sorrows.
- The cause of sorrow is desire.
- If desires are conquered , all sorrows can be removed.
- The only way this can be done by eight fold path (Astanga Marga) as follows:
- Right Understanding.
- Right Thought.
- Right Speech.
- Right Action.
- Right Livelihood.
- Right Effort.
- Right Mindfulness.
- Right Concentration.
Three Jewels( Triratnas)
- Buddha the enlightened.
- Dharma (Doctrine/ Teaching)
- Sangha (Order/ Community)
Important Buddhist Councils
First Council:
It was held immediately after the death of Buddha in 483 B.C at Rajagriha under the patronage of Ajatashatru, under the chairmanship of Maha Kassapa. In this council Ananda composed the Suttapitaka ( the DHARMA SECTION) containing the Buddhist saying and Upali composed the Vinaya Pitaka (VINAYA SECTION) containing the monastic codes of Buddhism.
Second Council:
it was held in 383 B.C at Vaishali under the patronage of Kalasoka and chairmanship of Sobakami. There was division of Buddhist sangha into the orthodox Sthaviravada or Theravadins and un orthodox Mahasanghikas.
Third Council:
It was held in 250 B.C at Pataliputra under the patronage of Ashoka and chairmanship of Moggaliputta Tissa ( Upagupta). The third council led to the establishment of the Theravadins as the true followers. The President of the Council, Moggaliputta Tissa, compiled a book called the Kathavatthu which refuted the heretical, false views and theories held by some sects occurring at the time. The teaching approved and accepted by this Council became known as Sthaviras or Theravada, "Teaching of the Elders". The Abhidhamma Pitaka was included at this Council. Abhidhamma Pitaka, the third of Buddhist Pali cannon was composed at the third council.
Fourth Council:
It was held in 1st century AD at Kashmir under the patronage of Kanishka and chairmanship of Vasumitra. It resulted in division into two major sects- Hinayana and Mahayana.( Difference between Hinayana and mahayana is that Mahayana believe buddha as god and hinayana consider buddha as an individual and they don't worship buddha as god ).The deliberation of council were in Sanskrit instead of Pali. Spread of Buddhism to another Asian countries, Mahayanism in central Asia, China, Japan and Hinayana in ceylon, Burma, Thailand and parts of South East Asia.
