Param IAS

Buddhism and Jainism in Bihar

Part of: BPSC

Buddhism

  • Buddhism and Jainism are an ancient Indian religion that developed in Magadha (now in Bihar, India).
  • Buddhism is based on the teachings of the Gautama Buddha.
  • The divine light of enlightenment was showered on Gautam Buddha in Bihar.
  • Gautama Buddha was born in 563 BC in Lumbini (now in Nepal).
  • Gautama Buddha was born to a Kapilvastu head of the Shakya republic named Suddhodana.
  • Gautama Buddha father was Suddhodana and name of his mother was Mahamaya.
  • Yashodhara was Gautama Buddha wife.
  • Gautama Buddha left his home at the age of 29 in search of truth.
  • This search of truth known as Mahabhinishkramana.
  • Gautama Buddha attained enlightenment in 528 BC while meditating under a Peepal tree (Bodhi tree) in Bodh Gaya and he became the Buddha or the Tathagata.
  • Buddha delivered his first sermon at Sarnath after enlightenment.
  • This sermon is known as Dharmachakra Pravartana.
  • The last sermon delivered by Buddha in Vaishali.
  • Buddha's 'Mahaparinirvana' took place in Kushinagar, the capital of Mallas.
  • There are some Buddhist Literature like Anguttara Nikaya, Digha Nikaya, Vinayapitaka, Divyavadana which is a literary sources of the ancient history of Bihar.
  • Most of the Buddhist literature was written in Pali language.
  • Sariputra, the famous Buddhist monk was born at Nalanda.

The Buddha's Eightfold Path consists of:

Panna: Discernment, wisdom (Below two are referred to as Prajna, or Wisdom)

I) Samma ditthi

II) Samma sankappa

Sila: Virtue, morality

III) Samma vaca

IV) Samma kammanta, right conduct, or right action involves abstaining from hurtful behaviors, such as killing, stealing, and careless sex are called the Five Precepts.

V) Samma ajiva (Right livelihood)

Samadhi: Concentration, meditation

VI) Samma vayama (Right effort, Promote good thoughts, conquer evil thoughts)

VII) Samma sati (Right mindfulness)

VIII) Samma samadhi (Right concentra-tion)

Jainism

  • Jainism has a long history since the times of twenty fourth Tirthankara Mahavira, who was born in Vaishali (near Hajipur) brought by Mahavira.
  • However, The state of Bihar is considered to have played an important role in the development of Jainism.
  • Vasupujya, the 12th Jain Tirthankara was born in Champapur, Bhagalpur.
  • Vardhamana Mahavira, the 24th and the last Tirthankara of Jainism, was born in Vaishali around sixth century B.C.
  • Mahavir achieved nirvana in Pawapuri which is today a pilgrimage site for Jains from across the world.
  • Jainism is unceasing dharma with the Tirthankaras managing each pattern of the Jain cosmology.
  • Their religious writings are called Agamas and Paramagamas.
  • As per sects Jains have been partitioned into two significant groups: Digambara and Svetambara.
  • Monks of this Digambara sect believe in complete nudity.
  • Male monks do not wear clothes while female monks wear unstitched plain white sarees.
  • Digambara Follows all five vows (Satya, Ahimsa, Asteya, Aparigraha, and Brahmacharya).
  • These Digambara people believe women cannot achieve liberation.
  • On the other hand Svetambara Monks wear white clothes.
  • Svetambara believers Follow only 4 vows (except brahmacharya).
  • As per the Digambara Jains, Mahavira was born in 582 BC.
  • As per the Svetambara Jain texts, Mahavira was born in 599 BC.
  • Jainism recognized the existence of god while Buddhism did not.
  • Because according to tradition, in the Deer Park in Sarnath near Varanasi in northern India, Buddha set in motion the Wheel of Dharma by delivering his first sermon to the group of five companions with whom he had previously sought liberation.
  • They, together with the Buddha, formed the first Saṅgha, the company of Buddhist monks, and hence, the first formation of Triple Gem (Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha) was completed.
  • Jainism does not condemn the varna system while Buddhism does.
  • Jainism advocates its followers to live the life of complete austerity but Buddhism it is prescribes a middle path.
  • Jainism believed in the transmigration of soul i.e. reincarnation while Buddhism does not.
  • Moreover, in the Jain literature Theravali and Bhagwati Sutra are famous for depicting the history of ancient Bihar.
  • Theravali is the part of 'Kalp Sutra' where Mahavir spent his time.