Buddhism

Buddhism : Buddhism arose in the 6 th century BC as a reaction against the strictures of Brahmanical Hinduism. The Buddha (Awakened one) is believed to have lived from about 563 to 483 BC. Formerly a prince (Siddartha Gautama), the Buddha, at the age of 29, embarked on a quest for emancipation from the world of suffering. He finally achieved 'nirvana' (the state of full awareness) at Bodhgaya (Bihar), aged 35. Critical of the caste system and the unthinking worship of gods, the Buddha urged his disciples to seek truth within their own experiences.

Buddha taught that existence is based on four noble truths - that life is rooted in suffering, that suffering is caused by craving worldly things, that one can find release from suffreing by eliminating craving, and that the way to eliminate the craving is by following the Noble eightfold path. This path consists of right understanding, right intention, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right awareness and right concentration. By successfully complying with these one can attain 'nirvana'.

Buddhism had almost vanished in much of India by the turn of the 20 th century. However, it saw a revival from the 1950s among intellectuals and Dalits, disillusioned with the caste system. The number of followers has been further increased with the influx of Tibetan refugees.

Gautama or Siddhartha (566-486 B.C), who later came to be known as the Buddha or 'The Enlightened One' was born into a wealthy Kshatriya family, in Lumbini, at the foothills of Nepal. He founded the religion of Buddhism after he attained true wisdom under a pipal tree at Bodhgaya. Buddha delivered his first public address at Sarnath Deer park in Benares, where he spoke of the four noble truths which are, (i) the world is full of suffering (ii) suffering is caused by desire (iii) suffering can be removed (iv) in order to remove suffering one has to overcome desire.

The main spiritual goal of Buddhism is to attain 'Nirvana', which means the spiritual liberation from the cycle of birth and rebirth. Buddhism religion does not believe in the existence of god and questions the Hindu practice of elaborate ceremonies, image worship, suppression of women and the elevation of Brahmins. Its core lies in the philosophy that every one is equal and that nothing lasts forever and nothing happens by chance. The teachings of Buddha teachings were first compiled on the Pali script as the 'Tripitakas'. King Ashoka (250 B.C) was one of its chief believers and propagators. Buddhism is divided into 2 major sects - Huinayanas (travellers by a lesser vehicle) & Mahayanas (travellers by a greater vehicle). Huinayana Buddhism flourished in Sri Lanka, Burma and South East Asia, while Mahayana Buddhism flourished in India, China, Japan, Tibet & Central Asia. Buddha created monasteries for praying and preaching and till date the paintings of his life and stupas can be seen in the Ajanta & Ellora caves. Schools of Nalanda and Vikramshila in Bihar and Valashi in Gujarat were famous institutes of learning and Ashwaghosha and Nagarjuna were responsible for the spread of Buddhism after Buddha's death.