NET, IAS, State-SET (KSET, WBSET, MPSET, etc.), GATE, CUET, Olympiads etc.: The Buddha

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  • The Buddha also known as Sakyamuni or Tathagata.
  • Born in 563 BC on the Vaishakha Poornima Day at Lumbini (near Kapilavastu) in Nepal.
  • His father Suddhodana was the Saka ruler.
  • His mother (Mahamaya, of Kosala dynastry) died after 7 days of his birth. Brought up by stepmother Gautami.
  • Married at 16 to Yoshodhara. Enjoyed the married life for 13years and had a son named Rahula.
  • After seeing an old man, a sick man, a corpse and an ascetic, he decided to become a wanderer.
  • Left his palace at 29 in search of truth (also called ‘Mahabhinishkramana’ or The Great Renunication) and wandered for 6 years.
  • Attained ‘Enlightenment’ at 35 at Gaya in Magadha (Bihar) under the Pipal tree.
  • Delivered the first sermon at Sarnath where his five disciples had settled. His first sermon is called ‘Dharmachakrapracartan’ or ‘Turning of the Wheel of Law’
  • Attained Mahaparinirvana at Kushinagar (identical with village Kasia in Deoria district of UP) in 483 BC at the age of 80 in the Malla republic.

Buddhist Councils

  • First Council: At Rajgriha, in 483 BC under the Chairmanship of Mehakassaapa (king was Ajatshatru) . Divided the teachings of Buddha into two Pitakas-Vinaya Pitaka and Sutta Pitaka.
  • Second Council: At Vaishali, in 383 BC under Sabakami (King was Kalasoka) . Followers divided into Sthavirmadins and Mahasanghikas.
  • Third Council: At Pataliputra, in 250 BC under Mogaliputta Tissa (King was Ashoka) In this, the third part of the Tripitaka was coded in the Pali language.
  • Fourth council: At Kashmir (Kundalvan) , in 72 AD under Vasumitra (King was Kanishka, Vice-Chairman was Ashwaghosha) . Divided Buddhism into Mahayana and Hinayana sects.

Buddhist Literature

  1. Buddist Literature: In Pali language.
  2. Vinaya Pitaka: Rules of discipline in the Buddhist monasteries.
  3. Sutta Pitaka: Largest, contains collection of Buddha՚s sermons.
  4. Abhidhamma Pitaka: Explanation of the philosophical principles of the Buddhist religion