Buddhism or Gautam Buddha’s teachings consist of the middle path of living, four noble truths, and the Eight-Fold Path to Enlightenment. The term ‘Buddha’ means ‘the enlightened one’.

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Buddhism

Buddhism is based upon its 3 pillars:

• Buddha: Its founder
• Dhamma: Teachings of Buddha
• Sangha: Followers of Buddha and their teachings i.e. Buddhist monks and nuns.

Founder of Buddhism - Buddha

• Gautama Buddha, is the founder of Buddhism, was born in the 5th century on the Vaishakha Poornima Day at Lumbini, near Kapilvastu, presently in Nepal.
• He was born as a prince in a wealthy family of the Shakya clan. His father was Suddhodhana.
• His mother, Mahamaya died after 7 days of his birth. His stepmother, Gautami brought him up.
• Married at 16 to Yashodhara and had a son named Rahula.
• He moved away from his luxurious life after seeing an old man, a sick man, a corpse, and an ascetic. Then he decided to become a wanderer.
• He left his home at the age of 29 with his charioteer, Channa, and his favourite horse, Kanthaka. After leaving them he left in search of truth and wandered for almost 6 years.

• This search of truth by him was mentioned as “Mahabhinishkramana” or the Great Renunciation.
• His first teacher was Alara Kalama, from whom he learned meditation techniques.
• He attained “Nirvana” or Enlightenment under the Peepal tree at the age of 35 at Gaya, a place in Magadh, Bihar.
• The Budhha is also known as Sakyamuni or Tathagata.
• He delivered his first sermon to his five disciples at Sarnath. This first sermon is known as “Dharmachakrapravartan” or “Turning of the Wheel of Law”.
• His life ended at the age of 80 means he attained “Mahaparinirvana” at Kushinagar, which is identical to the village Kasia in Deoria district of Uttar Pradesh, in the Malla republic.

The DHAMMA or Teachings of Buddha

The teachings of the Buddha are as follows:

The Four Noble Truths

• This world is full of sorrows and misery (Dukha): Sabbam Dukkam.
• And the cause of all pain and misery is the desire (Dukkha Samudaya): Dwadash Nidan/ Pratitya Samutpada.
• This pain and misery can be ended by controlling desires (Dukha Nirodha): Nirvana.
• By following the Eight-Fold Path desires can be controlled (Dukha Nirodha Gamini Pratipada): Ashtanga Marga.

The Eight-Fold Path

The Eight-Fold Path consists of

• Right Understanding (Samma Ditthi)
• Right Thought (Samma Sankappa )
• Right Action (Samma Kammanta)
• Right Livelihood (Samma Ajiva)
• Right Efforts (Samma Vayama)
• Right Speech (Samma vaca)
• Right mindfulness (Samma Sati)
• Right Concentration (Samma samadhi)

Belief in Nirvana

• When desire ends, rebirth ends Nirvana is achieved i.e. getting freedom from the cycle of birth, death and rebirth can be attained by following the Eight-Fold Path.
• According to Gautama Buddha, our soul is a myth.

Buddhist Literature

“Tripitakas” is the name given to the Buddhist scriptures written in the Pali language, which means,” A threefold basket”.

• Vinaya Pitaka – It consists of Rules of Discipline in Buddhist Monasteries.
• Sutta Pitaka – It is the largest collection of Buddha’s sermons.
• Abhidhamma Pitaka – It contains explanations of the philosophical principles of the Buddhist religion.

Important Buddhist Councils

The Buddhist monks or followers of Buddhism gathered 4 times after the death of Buddha and these meetings resulted in several effects on Buddhism.

1st Buddhist Council:

• This was held at Saptaparni cave, Rajgriha, in the year 483 BC.
• This council was organized under the chairmanship of Mahakasyapa.
• The king who ruled then was Ajatshatru of the Haryanka dynasty.
• This gathering results in the division of teachings of Buddha into two Pitakas – Vinaya Pitaka and Sutta Pitaka. Vinaya Pitaka was recited by Upali and Sutta Pitaka by Ananda.

2nd Buddhist Council:

• This was held at Chullavanga, Vaishali in the year 383 BC.
• The Chairman of this council was Sabakami.
• During this period, the Ruler was Kalashoka of the Shishunaga Dynasty.
• Buddhist followers were divided into Sthaviravada and Mahasanghika.

3rd Buddhist Council:

• This was held at Ashokarama Vihar, Patliputra in the year 250 BC.
• The Chairman of this council was Mogaliputta Tissa.
• Ashoka of the Maurya dynasty was the king during this period.
• The third part of Tripitaka, Abhidhamma was compiled.
• A decision was taken to send missionaries to the other parts of the world for spreading Buddhism to other countries.

4th Buddhist Council:

• 4th council was held at Kundala Van, Kashmir in 72 AD.
• The Chairman of the council was Vasumitra and the vice-chairman was Ashwaghosha.
• The ruler during this council was Kanishka of the Kushana dynasty.
• Division of Buddhists into Hinayana and Mahayana.

Sects of Buddhism

Hinayana (i.e. the lesser vehicle)

• Followers of Hinayana believed in the original teachings of Buddha.
• They sought salvation through self-discipline and meditation.
• They favoured the Pali language and did not believe in idol-worships.
• It prevailed mainly in the south of India, e.g. Sri Lanka, Burma (Myanmar), Thailand, Java, Laos, etc. that’s why it is also known as the “Southern Buddhist Religion”.
• There are two sub sects of Hinayana – (i) Vaibhasika, and (ii) Sautantrika.

Mahayana (i.e. the Greater Vehicle)

• Followers of this sect believed in the heavenliness of Buddha.
• They sought salvation through the grace of Buddha and Bodhisattva.
• They favoured the Sanskrit language and believed in Idol-worships.
• It is also called “Northern Buddhist Religion”, because it prevailed in mostly the North of India, e.g. China, Korea, Japan, Taiwan, etc.
• Sub sects of Mahayana are – Madhyamika/ Shunyavada and Yogachar/ Vijnanavada.
• Founder of Madhyamika/ Shunyavada – Nagarjuna.
• Founder of Yogachar/ Vijnanavada – Maitreya Nath and his disciple Asanga.

Vajrayana

• Followers of this sect believe salvation could be attained by acquiring the magical power which they termed as Vajra.
• It became popular in Bihar and Bengal.
• They freely consumed meat, fish, wine, etc. which is considered taboo in other sects.

Bodhisattvas

1. Vajrapani: He holds a thunderbolt, and is a foe of sin and evil.
2. Avalokitesvara (the lord who looks down) is also called ‘Padmapani’ which means the lotus bearer: He is kind-hearted.
3. Manjushri (Stimulator of understanding): Holds 10 books that describe paramitas as spiritual perfections.
4. Kshitigarbha: Guardian of Purgatories.
5. Maitreya: known as the Future Buddha.
6. Amitabha/ Amitayusha: the Buddha of heaven.

Buddhist Universities

Important Events in Life of Buddha, symbols and related incidents

Buddhism does not believe in God or the soul. It focuses on the individual’s Karma and Ahimsa. Neither does it emphasizes the Varna system of the society, it considers everyone as equals. Even though it was initially taught only in the Pali language, several countries adopted it. China was the first of the countries to adopt Buddhism in the 1st Century AD.

FAQs

MCQs

1. Who is known as the Buddha?

A) Mahavira
B) Siddhartha Gautama
C) Ashoka
D) Chanakya

2. What are the Four Noble Truths?

A) Four paths to salvation
B) Four forms of meditation
C) Four foundational principles of Buddhism
D) Four sacred texts

3. What is the purpose of the Eightfold Path in Buddhism?

A) To increase wealth
B) To attain enlightenment
C) To gain social status
D) To promote ritual practices

4. Which teaching emphasizes non-violence in Buddhism?

A) Right Speech
B) Right Action
C) Right Intent
D) Ahimsa

5. What does Nirvana represent in Buddhism?

A) A physical place
B) A state of liberation
C) A form of meditation
D) A type of prayer

GS Mains Questions and Model Answers

Q1: Analyze the key teachings of Buddha and their relevance to contemporary society. How can these teachings be applied in daily life?

Answer: The key teachings of Buddha, particularly the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path, provide profound insights into the nature of suffering and the path to enlightenment. The Four Noble Truths emphasize that suffering is an inherent part of life, rooted in desire and attachment. By understanding this, individuals can cultivate a mindset focused on acceptance and resilience in the face of challenges. The Eightfold Path offers a practical framework for ethical living, mental discipline, and self-reflection. In contemporary society, these teachings can be applied in various ways, such as practicing mindfulness to enhance well-being and reduce stress. Additionally, the emphasis on compassion and non-violence encourages individuals to foster healthier relationships and contribute positively to their communities. By integrating these teachings into daily life, people can navigate the complexities of modern existence with greater awareness, empathy, and purpose, ultimately leading to personal growth and a more harmonious society.

Q2: Discuss the impact of Buddhist philosophy on ethical decision-making in the modern world. What lessons can be learned from this philosophy?

Answer: Buddhist philosophy significantly impacts ethical decision-making in the modern world by promoting principles such as compassion, mindfulness, and interdependence. These values encourage individuals to consider the consequences of their actions on themselves and others, fostering a holistic approach to ethics. The practice of mindfulness allows for greater awareness and reflection, leading to more thoughtful and compassionate decisions. In a world often driven by materialism and competition, the teachings of Buddhism remind individuals of the importance of empathy and connection to others. By adopting a perspective that values well-being over profit and promotes sustainable practices, individuals and organizations can create a more ethical society. Lessons from Buddhist philosophy also highlight the need for personal responsibility and the acknowledgment of the interconnectedness of all beings. This understanding can inspire collective action toward social justice and environmental sustainability, making Buddhist ethics highly relevant in addressing contemporary global challenges.

Q3: Evaluate the role of meditation in Buddhism. How does it relate to the teachings of the Buddha?

Answer: Meditation plays a central role in Buddhism as a practice that enables individuals to cultivate mindfulness, concentration, and insight, which are essential for understanding the Buddha's teachings. Through meditation, practitioners develop the ability to observe their thoughts and emotions without attachment, fostering a deeper awareness of the nature of suffering and the impermanence of life. This practice directly aligns with the Buddha's teachings on the Four Noble Truths, as it helps individuals recognize the sources of their suffering and the possibility of liberation. Various forms of meditation, such as Vipassana (insight meditation) and Samatha (calming meditation), are employed to enhance mental clarity and emotional stability. By engaging in regular meditation, followers of Buddhism can cultivate qualities such as compassion, equanimity, and patience, which are vital for ethical living and spiritual growth. Thus, meditation not only serves as a means to experience the teachings of the Buddha but also reinforces the practical application of the Eightfold Path in daily life.

Previous Year Questions on Buddha and His Teachings

1. UPSC CSE Prelims 2021:

Question: What is the main goal of Buddhist practice?

A) Accumulating wealth
B) Achieving Nirvana
C) Gaining political power
D) Attaining fame

Answer: (B)

Explanation: The main goal of Buddhist practice is to achieve Nirvana, which represents liberation from the cycle of birth and death (samsara) and the cessation of suffering.

2. UPSC CSE Mains 2020 (GS Paper 1):

Question: "Discuss the significance of meditation in Buddhism." How does it relate to the Buddha's teachings?

Answer: Meditation is significant in Buddhism as it is a key practice that facilitates self-awareness and spiritual development. It is directly related to the Buddha's teachings, as it helps individuals understand the nature of suffering and cultivate the qualities necessary for enlightenment. Through meditation, practitioners learn to observe their thoughts and feelings without attachment, which aligns with the principles of the Four Noble Truths. The various forms of meditation taught by the Buddha, such as mindfulness and concentration, are designed to deepen understanding and promote ethical living. Ultimately, meditation serves as a practical tool that embodies the essence of the Buddha's teachings, guiding individuals toward spiritual liberation.

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