Buddhism – India's Eternal Light of Wisdom

Buddhism – India's Eternal Light of Wisdom

A complete guide for UPSC, SSC, and State PCS aspirants

👑 Gautam Buddha: The Man Who Awakened the World

Born in 563 BCE in Lumbini, Siddhartha Gautama was a prince of the Shakya clan. He lived a sheltered life until one day, he encountered the Four Sights: an old man, a sick person, a corpse, and a wandering monk.

Shocked by human suffering, he left his luxurious life behind in an event known as Mahabhinishkramana. After years of intense meditation, he attained Enlightenment under the Bodhi tree in Bodh Gaya at the age of 35 and became the Buddha — the Enlightened One.

  • First sermon at Sarnath: Dhammachakkapavattana Sutta

  • Death (Mahaparinirvana) at Kushinagar at 80

🕊️ Twelve Deeds of Buddha

A chronological narrative of the Buddha’s spiritual journey:

  1. Descent from Tusita heaven

  2. Entry into the womb

  3. Birth at Lumbini

  4. Skill in arts and sciences

  5. Palace life and luxury

  6. Great Renunciation

  7. Intense asceticism

  8. Defeating Mara

  9. Enlightenment

  10. First teaching

  11. Performing miracles

  12. Final Nirvana

📘 Often asked in state PCS exams like MPPSC, BPSC, etc.

🌼 Panch Mahakalyan – Five Sacred Events

  1. Janma Kalyan – Birth at Lumbini

  2. Diksha Kalyan – Renunciation

  3. Kevalgyan Kalyan – Enlightenment

  4. Deshna Kalyan – First teaching

  5. Nirvana Kalyan – Mahaparinirvana at Kushinagar

🔖 Similar events are celebrated in Jainism too – compare & contrast for Prelims.

🛕 Ashta Mahasthanas – The Eight Great Places

  1. Lumbini – Birthplace

  2. Bodh Gaya – Enlightenment

  3. Sarnath – First sermon

  4. Kushinagar – Death

  5. Rajgir – Tamed Nalagiri

  6. Sravasti – Performed miracles

  7. Vaishali – Last sermon

  8. Sankasya – Descended from heaven

📍 These are pilgrimage sites and part of Buddhist tourism circuits.

🚀 Reasons for the Rise of Buddhism

  • Revolt against Brahmanism and ritualism

  • Preached in Pali — the common man’s language

  • Caste-less and non-violent teachings

  • Backed by powerful kings and traders

  • Provided a monastic order (Sangha) with discipline

  • Growth of urban centers and trade

📝 Perfect GS1 material + relevant for Ethics.

👑 Major Patron Kings of Buddhism

🟡 Bimbisara (Magadha)

  • Invited Buddha to Rajgir

  • Gave Veluvana Vihara

🟢 Ashoka the Great

  • Embraced Buddhism post-Kalinga war

  • Convened the 3rd Buddhist Council

  • Sent missionaries to Sri Lanka, Burma, Egypt

  • Spread Buddhism through rock edicts and pillars

🔵 Kanishka (Kushan Dynasty)

  • Patron of Mahayana Buddhism

  • Held the 4th Buddhist Council in Kashmir

  • Promoted Gandhara Art

💡 Ashoka = Missionary work; Kanishka = Mahayana boost

🌍 Spread of Buddhism

  • Missionaries (e.g. Mahinda to Sri Lanka)

  • Along Silk Routes to China, Korea, Japan

  • Through maritime trade to Southeast Asia

  • Adopted by empires (China’s Han, Tibet’s Songtsen Gampo)

🎯 Buddhism = India’s soft power throughout ancient Asia

📜 Doctrines of Buddhism

🟠 Four Noble Truths

  1. Life is suffering (Dukkha)

  2. Desire causes suffering (Tanha)

  3. Suffering can end (Nirodha)

  4. Follow Eightfold Path (Magga)

🟡 Eightfold Path – The Middle Way

  1. Right View

  2. Right Intention

  3. Right Speech

  4. Right Action

  5. Right Livelihood

  6. Right Effort

  7. Right Mindfulness

  8. Right Concentration

🔵 Other Concepts

  • Anatta – No permanent soul

  • Anicca – Impermanence

  • Karma – Cause and effect

  • Pratityasamutpada – Dependent origination

📌 Frequently asked in GS4 Ethics and GS1 Ancient India

🏛️ Buddhist Councils

No. Year King Location Contribution
1st 483 BCE Ajatashatru Rajgriha Compiled Buddha’s teachings
2nd 383 BCE Kalashoka Vaishali Division into Sthaviravadin & Mahasanghika
3rd 250 BCE Ashoka Pataliputra Missionary work begins
4th 1st CE Kanishka Kashmir Rise of Mahayana school

🎓 GS1, Buddhism optional, and culture-based MCQs often test this table.

🌸 Elaborate Explanation: Sects of Buddhism

🔶 1. Theravada ("Teaching of the Elders")

  • Oldest form; closest to original teachings

  • Goal: Individual Nirvana

  • No idol worship; Buddha as teacher

  • Pali Canon used

  • Dominant in Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia

🔷 2. Mahayana ("Great Vehicle")

  • Goal: Universal salvation

  • Introduced concept of Bodhisattvas

  • Worship of Buddha as God-like

  • Scriptures in Sanskrit

  • Spread to China, Japan, Korea, Vietnam

🧘 Sub-schools:

  • Zen Buddhism – Japan, focus on meditation

  • Pure Land Buddhism – Faith in Amitabha Buddha for rebirth

🔶 3. Vajrayana ("Diamond Vehicle")

  • Esoteric and tantric practices

  • Mantras, Mudras, Mandalas, Tantras

  • Emphasis on guru-disciple lineage

  • Central in Tibet, Mongolia, Bhutan

🧠 For Mains: Compare sects under themes like language, geography, ideals, scriptures.

🧘‍♂️ Philosophical Schools

  1. Vaibhashika – Emphasized Abhidharma

  2. Sautrantika – Focused on Sutta Pitaka

  3. Yogachara (Vijnanavada) – Mind as sole reality

  4. Madhyamika – Shunyata (emptiness) by Nagarjuna

🧠 Relevant for both GS1 and Philosophy optional.

🙏 Bodhisattvas – The Compassionate Ones

  • Chosen to stay in Samsara to guide others

  • Key Bodhisattvas:

    • Avalokiteshvara (Compassion)

    • Manjushri (Wisdom)

    • Maitreya (Future Buddha)

👁️ Frequently appear in Buddhist art, Mahayana texts & Prelims questions.

✈️ Buddhist Missionaries

  • Ashoka’s efforts:

    • Mahinda & Sanghamitta – to Sri Lanka

    • To Syria, Egypt, SE Asia

  • Result:

    • Establishment of Buddhism across Asia

📍 You can cite this in India’s cultural diplomacy in GS2.

📚 Buddhist Literature

  • Tripitaka (Pali Canon):

    • Vinaya Pitaka – Rules for monks

    • Sutta Pitaka – Discourses

    • Abhidhamma Pitaka – Philosophy

  • Other texts:

    • Milindapanha – Dialogues

    • Jataka Tales – Stories of previous births

    • Lalitavistara, Buddhacharita, Mahavastu

📘 Must-know for Prelims: Match the text with its category.

📉 Decline of Buddhism in India

  • Brahmanical revival and Bhakti movement

  • Loss of patronage after Harsha

  • Internal sectarian conflicts

  • Invasions by Huns and Turks destroyed monasteries

  • Migration to Tibet, Sri Lanka, SE Asia

🌱 Though it declined here, Buddhism bloomed abroad.

✨ Final Words for Aspirants

Buddhism is not just history—it’s philosophy, ethics, art, and politics rolled into one. Mastering Buddhism helps you in:

  • GS1 (Ancient India + Art & Culture)

  • GS4 (Ethics: compassion, middle path, duty)

  • Essay & Interview (spirituality, morality, cultural diplomacy)

🎓 Smart Tip: Revise with tables, timelines, and story flow. Link councils with kings, doctrines with quotes, and sects with geography.


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