Circular
Learnings
UPSC CSE Preparation

Buddhism & Jainism – UPSC Essentials

Both Buddhism and Jainism emerged in the 6th century BCE as heterodox reactions to Brahmanical orthodoxy — opposing caste rigidity, Vedic ritualism, and the dominance of Sanskrit. They arose mainly in the middle Gangetic plains and are among the most important topics for UPSC Prelims and GS-I Mains.

⚡ Why Did These Religions Emerge?
Reasons Behind the Rise of Heterodox Sects
  • Kshatriya reaction: Both Mahavira and Buddha were Kshatriyas — they challenged Brahmin supremacy over religion
  • Against caste rigidity: Opposed the rigid varna system and birth-based hierarchy
  • Against animal sacrifice: Vedic rituals involving animal killing were condemned
  • Vedic Sanskrit inaccessible: Both preached in Prakrit and Pali — languages of the common people
  • Economic factor: The rise of trade and commerce made Vaishyas (merchants) seek an alternative to Brahmin dominance — Buddhism and Jainism gave them dignity and social recognition
  • Intellectual ferment: Upanishadic philosophy had already challenged ritualism — Buddhism and Jainism took this further
🟤 JAINISM 👤 Vardhamana Mahavira – The 24th Tirthankara
Life & Background
  • Born: 599 BCE at Kundagrama (near Vaishali, Bihar)
  • Clan: Licchavi clan — a Kshatriya family
  • Father: Siddhartha (head of Jnatrikas clan)
  • Mother: Trishala (sister of Licchhavi chief Chetaka)
  • Wife: Yashoda; Daughter: Priyadarshana
  • Left home: At age 30 (after parents’ death)
  • Attained Kaivalya (enlightenment): After 12 years of intense penance — under a Sal tree on the banks of the Rijupalika river, near Jambhiyagrama
  • Death (Nirvana): 527 BCE at Pavapuri (Bihar) at age 72
  • Known as: Jina (conqueror), Nigantha Nataputta (in Buddhist texts), Mahavira
Key Terms
  • Jina: Conqueror (of passions) → hence followers are called Jains
  • Nirgrantha: Free from bonds (another name for Mahavira)
  • Kaivalya: Enlightenment in Jainism (= Nirvana in Buddhism)
  • Tirthankar: Ford-maker — one who helps cross the river of rebirth
  • Gandhara: Mahavira’s 11 chief disciples were called Gandharvas — their leader was Sudharman (first head of Jain Sangha after Mahavira)
⭐ UPSC Frequently Asked
📜 The 24 Tirthankaras
  • Jainism believes in 24 Tirthankaras (spiritual teachers)
  • First Tirthankara: Rishabhanatha (Adinath) — mentioned in the Rigveda; also mentioned in Vishnu Purana and Bhagavat Purana as an avatar of Vishnu
  • 23rd Tirthankara: Parshvanatha — lived about 250 years before Mahavira; preached four vows (excluded Brahmacharya)
  • 24th Tirthankara: Vardhamana Mahavira — added Brahmacharya as the 5th vow (Pancha Mahavrata)
  • Vedic texts mention only Rishabhadeva and Arishtanemi among the 24 Tirthankaras
⭐ UPSC Prelims Asked
⚖️ Jain Philosophy & Doctrines
Pancha Mahavrata (Five Great Vows)
  • Ahimsa – Non-violence (the most important)
  • Satya – Truthfulness
  • Asteya – Non-stealing
  • Aparigraha – Non-possession
  • Brahmacharya – Celibacy (added by Mahavira; Parshvanatha had only four)
📌 UPSC Note First four vows were preached by Parshvanatha. Mahavira added Brahmacharya as the fifth vow.
Triratna (Three Jewels) — Path to Moksha
  • Samyak Darshana – Right Faith/Belief
  • Samyak Jnana – Right Knowledge
  • Samyak Charitra – Right Conduct

These three together lead to Kaivalya (Moksha) in Jainism.

Core Philosophical Doctrines
  • Anekantavada: The doctrine of many-sidedness of truth — reality is complex and multi-faceted; no single viewpoint captures the whole truth
  • Syadvada: Theory of conditional predication — “Perhaps” or “maybe” — all judgements are conditional. Also called Saptabhangi Naya (seven-fold predication)
  • Nayavada: Doctrine of partial viewpoints — related to Anekantavada
  • Karma as substance: Jainism believes Karma is a real physical substance that permeates the soul
  • Soul (Jiva): Jainism believes in the eternal existence of the soul — every living being has a Jiva (including plants, water, fire, earth)
  • Ajiva: Non-living matter — the other component of universe
  • Moksha: Liberation through strict asceticism — the complete shedding of karma
⭐ Syadvada asked in UPSC Prelims
Seven Fundamentals (Tattvas) — Tattvartha Sutra
  1. Jiva – Soul
  2. Ajiva – Non-soul matter
  3. Asrava – Influx of karma
  4. Bandha – Bondage of soul by karma
  5. Samvara – Stopping the influx of karma
  6. Nirjara – Shedding accumulated karma
  7. Moksha – Liberation
Other Important Concepts
  • Ahimsa is supreme: Even agriculture is prohibited as it harms insects
  • God: Jainism recognises gods (including Brahmanical gods), but they are subordinate to Tirthankaras
  • Vedas: Jainism rejects the authority of Vedas
  • Caste: Rejects birth-based caste; emphasises conduct
  • Sallekana (Sallekhana): Ritual death by fasting — the highest form of Jain asceticism
  • Jain cosmology: Universe is eternal — no creator God
  • Paryushana: Important Jain festival — Kalpa Sutra is recited
  • Jain monasteries: Called Basadis (Basadas)
  • Gandharva: Mahavira’s 11 chief disciples; Gandharva literally means “leader of the school” (head of a Gana)
🔱 Sects of Jainism
Digambara vs Shwetambara
  • Split occurred: c. 300 BCE during the reign of Chandragupta Maurya — when Bhadrabahu led a group to South India (Karnataka), followed by Chandragupta Maurya
  • Digambara (“Sky-clad” — naked): Do not wear clothes; believe women cannot attain moksha; consider the original Agamas lost; associated with South India (Karnataka)
  • Shwetambara (“White-clad”): Wear white clothes; believe women can attain moksha; preserve the Agamas; associated with Western India (Rajasthan, Gujarat)
  • Yapaniya: A sub-sect — part Digambara (naked monks) but accepts some Shwetambara practices
📌 Key Fact Chandana (daughter of Dadhivahana, king of Champa) was the first female disciple (first Bhikshuni) of Mahavira.
👑 Royal Patrons of Jainism
  • Chandragupta Maurya — converted to Jainism in old age; accompanied Bhadrabahu to Karnataka; died by Sallekana at Shravanabelagola
  • Udayin — Haryanka king; supporter
  • Bimbisara — Haryanka king; supporter
  • Ajatashatru — Haryanka king; supporter
  • Kharvela — Kalinga king; major Jain patron (Hathigumpha inscription)
  • Amoghavarsha (Rashtrakuta) — became a Jain monk; wrote Ratnamalika
  • Kumarapala (Solanki, Gujarat) — made Jainism state religion under Hemachandra’s influence
  • States that patronised Jainism: Ganga, Kadamba, Chalukya, Rashtrakuta
📅 Jain Councils
  • First Jain Council: c. 300 BCE at Pataliputra — presided by Sthulabhadra; compiled 12 Angas; Digambaras opposed this council
  • Second Jain Council: c. 512 CE at Valabhi (Gujarat) — presided by Devardhigani Kshamasramana; final compilation of Shwetambara canon
🟢 BUDDHISM 👤 Gautama Buddha – Life & Enlightenment
Life & Background
  • Born: 563 BCE at Lumbini (modern Nepal) on Vaisakha Purnima
  • Clan: Shakya clan — hence also called Shakyamuni
  • Father: Shuddhodana (ruler of Kapilavastu)
  • Mother: Mahamaya (died shortly after birth); raised by aunt Mahapajapati Gotami
  • Wife: Yashodhara; Son: Rahula
  • The Great Renunciation (Mahabhinishkramana): Left home at age 29
  • Enlightenment (Mahaparinibbana / Bodhi): After 6 years of meditation — under the Peepal (Bodhi) tree at Bodh Gaya, on the banks of Niranjana (Phalgu) river; at age 35
  • First Sermon (Dhammachakkapavattana): At Sarnath (Deer Park / Rishipatana) — to five disciples; called the Turning of the Wheel of Dharma
  • Death (Mahaparinirvana): 483 BCE at Kushinagar (Uttar Pradesh) at age 80
Four Sights that Prompted Renunciation
  • An old man (old age)
  • A sick man (disease)
  • A dead body (death)
  • A wandering ascetic (path of liberation)
Symbols Representing Events of Buddha’s Life
  • Birth → Lotus and Bull
  • Enlightenment (Bodhi) → Bodhi tree / Peepal tree
  • First Sermon (Dhammachakra Pravartana) → Wheel (Dharmachakra)
  • Mahaparinirvana (Death) → Stupa / Footprint
⭐ UPSC Prelims 2021 asked
⚖️ Buddhist Philosophy & Doctrines
Four Noble Truths (Chatur Arya Satya)
  1. Dukkha – The world is full of suffering
  2. Samudaya – All suffering has a cause (desire, ignorance, attachment)
  3. Nirodha – Suffering can be destroyed by eliminating its cause
  4. Marga – The Eightfold Path is the way to end suffering
⭐ UPSC Core Concept
Eightfold Path — Ashtangika Marga
  1. Right View (Samyak Drishti) – Understanding the nature of suffering
  2. Right Aim/Intention (Samyak Sankalpa) – Renouncing desire and ill-will
  3. Right Speech (Samyak Vak) – Speaking truth always
  4. Right Action (Samyak Karma) – Performing unselfish actions
  5. Right Livelihood (Samyak Ajiva) – Living by honest means
  6. Right Effort (Samyak Vyayama) – Controlling senses to prevent bad thoughts
  7. Right Mindfulness (Samyak Smriti) – Understanding impermanence of the body
  8. Right Concentration (Samyak Samadhi) – Meditation leading to peace and truth
📌 UPSC Note The Eightfold Path is called the Middle Path (Majjhima Patipada) — avoiding both extreme luxury and extreme asceticism. This is the fundamental difference with Jainism which advocates extreme asceticism.
Triratna of Buddhism (Three Jewels)
  • Buddha – The Enlightened One
  • Dharma – His teachings
  • Sangha – The community of monks
Panchshila — Five Precepts
  • Do not kill (Ahimsa)
  • Do not steal
  • Do not lie
  • Do not drink intoxicants
  • Do not indulge in sensual pleasures
Key Philosophical Concepts
  • Anatta (No-Self): Buddhism denies the existence of a permanent soul — no atman; this is the fundamental difference with Jainism and Brahmanism
  • Anicca (Impermanence): Everything is transient and ever-changing
  • Dukkha (Suffering): Existence is inherently unsatisfactory
  • Pratitya Samutpada: Dependent Origination — all things arise in dependence on causes and conditions; the chain of 12 nidanas (links)
  • Nirvana: Extinction of desire — liberation; possible in this life itself (unlike Jainism)
  • Karma: Actions determine future — but no transmigrating soul in Buddhism
  • God: Buddha neither accepted nor denied God — concerned primarily with individual liberation
  • Madhyama Pratipada (Middle Path): Avoid extreme asceticism and extreme indulgence
⭐ Frequently Asked — Anatta, Pratitya Samutpada
🏛️ Buddhist Councils
1st Buddhist Council — c. 483 BCE, Rajagriha
  • Presided by: Mahakassapa
  • Patron: Ajatashatru (Haryanka dynasty)
  • Purpose: Compiled Vinaya Pitaka (Upali) and Sutta Pitaka (Ananda)
  • Held at Saptaparni Cave near Rajagriha
2nd Buddhist Council — c. 383 BCE, Vaishali
  • Presided by: Sabakami
  • Patron: Kalasoka (Shishunaga dynasty)
  • Purpose: Dispute over 10 points of monastic discipline → First split in Buddhism
  • Led to division into Sthaviravada (orthodox) and Mahasanghika
3rd Buddhist Council — c. 250 BCE, Pataliputra
  • Presided by: Mogaliputta Tissa
  • Patron: Ashoka (Maurya dynasty)
  • Purpose: Purification of the Sangha; compiled Abhidhamma Pitaka; dispatched missionaries including Mahinda to Sri Lanka
⭐ Most Important Council — UPSC Prelims frequently asked
4th Buddhist Council — c. 72 CE, Kashmir (Kundalvana)
  • Presided by: Vasumitra (Chairman), Ashvaghosha (Vice-chairman)
  • Patron: Kanishka (Kushan dynasty)
  • Purpose: Final split into Hinayana and Mahayana
  • Note: This council is NOT recognised by Theravada/Hinayana Buddhists
🔱 Sects of Buddhism
Hinayana (Lesser Vehicle)
  • Also called Theravada (Doctrine of the Elders) — oldest surviving school
  • Considers Buddha as a great man, not God
  • Does not believe in idol worship
  • Texts written in Pali
  • Individual salvation is primary
  • Spread to: Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia
  • Sub-sects: Vaibhashika (Kashmir) and Sautrantika
Mahayana (Greater Vehicle)
  • Buddha is worshipped as a God — idol worship accepted
  • Concept of Bodhisattva — delays own Nirvana to help others achieve it
  • Texts written in Sanskrit
  • Emphasis on universal salvation (helping all beings)
  • Founded by Nagarjuna (Madhyamaka/Shunyavada)
  • Spread to: China, Japan, Korea, Tibet, Vietnam
  • Sub-sects: Madhyamaka/Shunyavada (Nagarjuna) and Vijnanavada/Yogachara (Asanga & Vasubandhu)
📌 Key: Mahayana Ideal = Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara (Padmapani) — holds a lotus; most popular Bodhisattva
Maitreya — the future Buddha yet to incarnate; holds a water phial
Manjushri — Bodhisattva of wisdom
Vajrapani — holds a thunderbolt
⭐ Bodhisattvas frequently asked in UPSC
Vajrayana (Diamond Vehicle / Thunderbolt Way)
  • Also called Tantric Buddhism
  • Emerged in 7th century CE
  • Uses mantras, mudras, and mandalas for salvation
  • Worships Shakti (Tara) — female deities
  • Spread to: Tibet, Nepal, Bhutan
  • Key texts: Tantras
  • Promoted by: Pala dynasty of Bengal
🧠 Famous Buddhist Scholars
  • Nagarjuna — “Einstein of India”; founder of Madhyamaka school; Madhyamika Karika; Shanyvada; contemporary of Satavahana king Yajnashri Gautamiputra
  • Ashvaghosa — Poet, dramatist, philosopher; Buddhacharita (biography of Buddha), Saundarananda; contemporary of Kanishka
  • Asanga — Founder of Yogachara/Vijnanavada school; 4th century CE
  • Vasubandhu — Brother of Asanga; systematised Yogachara; wrote Abhidharmakosha
  • Dignaga — Founder of Buddhist logic (Nyaya school) — “the Aristotle of India”
  • Dharmakirti — Philosopher; student of Dignaga; Buddhist logic
  • Buddhaghosa — 5th century CE; wrote Visuddhimagga (The Path of Purification); commentaries on Digha Nikaya (Sumangalavilasini)
  • Chandragomin — Known as “Vyakarancharya” (grammarian) and poet
  • Chandrakirti — Madhyamaka philosopher; commentaries on Nagarjuna
⭐ Ashvaghosa, Nagarjuna asked in UPSC
🏗️ Buddhist Architecture
  • Stupa: Hemispherical dome structure containing relics of Buddha or Buddhist monks; earliest stupas at Sanchi, Bharhut, Amaravati, Sarnath
  • Chaitya: A Buddhist prayer hall containing a stupa; term also used for a sacred enclosure
  • Vihara: Buddhist monastery — residential quarters for monks
  • Oldest Buddha sculpture: Mathura style (Kushan period); also Gandhara style (Greco-Buddhist)
  • Dharmachakra mudra: The preaching mudra — associated with Buddha’s First Sermon at Sarnath; used in Gandhara art
📉 Decline of Buddhism in India
  • Loss of royal patronage after the Guptas
  • Revival of Brahmanical Hinduism — especially Bhakti movement
  • Absorption into Hinduism — Buddha was accepted as an avatar of Vishnu
  • Corruption in the Sangha — monks began acquiring wealth and engaging in rituals
  • Destruction by Mahmud of Ghazni — attacked Nalanda and other monasteries
  • Nalanda destroyed by Bakhtiyar Khilji (1203 CE) — decisive blow
  • Split into sects — weakened the unified movement
📚 Important Texts of Jainism A. Jain Canonical Literature (Agamas)
12 Angas (Core Canonical Texts)
  • The most sacred scriptures — believed to be teachings of Mahavira
  • Written in Ardhamagadhi Prakrit
  • Compiled at the First Jain Council (Pataliputra, c. 300 BCE)
  • Digambaras believe the original Angas are lost
  • Most important Anga: Acharanga Sutra — contains rules of conduct for monks; oldest Jain text
  • Other Angas: Sutrakritanga, Sthananga, etc.
⭐ Language: Ardhamagadhi Prakrit
Kalpa Sutra
  • Author: Bhadrabahu
  • Contains biographies of Tirthankaras (especially Mahavira and Parshvanatha)
  • Contains rules of conduct for monks and nuns
  • Recited during the important Jain festival of Paryushana
  • Key source for: Jain rituals, Mahavira’s life
⭐ UPSC Prelims Linked
Tattvartha Sutra
  • Author: Umasvati (Umasvami)
  • Language: Sanskrit (unique — most Jain texts are in Prakrit)
  • Accepted by both Digambara and Shwetambara sects
  • Systematic philosophical treatise on Jain doctrine
  • Contains the Seven Fundamentals (Tattvas): Jiva, Ajiva, Asrava, Bandha, Samvara, Nirjara, Moksha
⭐ Only text accepted by both Jain sects
Parishishtaparvan
  • Author: Hemachandra
  • Contains political history of the Mauryan period — important historical source
  • Hemachandra was the great Jain scholar at the court of Kumarapala (Solanki dynasty)
Dravyasamgraha
  • Author: Nemichandra
  • Deals with Jain metaphysics and cosmology
Jain Agamas — Valabhi Council
  • Final compilation of Shwetambara canon done at the Second Jain Council at Valabhi (Gujarat, c. 5th–6th century CE)
  • Presided by Devardhigani Kshamasramana
Jain Puranas (Historical)
  • Adi Purana — adapted from Hindu Puranic tradition
  • Jain texts are also important for secular history — especially the Jain chronicles of Gujarat
  • Language of Jain texts: Ardhamagadhi (earliest), then Prakrit, Sanskrit, later Apabhramsha
📚 Important Texts of Buddhism A. Tripitaka — The Three Baskets (Most Important)
Vinaya Pitaka
  • Rules of monastic discipline for monks (Bhikkhus) and nuns (Bhikkhunis)
  • Origin and organization of the Sangha
  • Compiled at the First Buddhist Council by Upali
  • UPSC Angle: Social organization of Buddhist Sangha
Sutta Pitaka (Sutta = Sutra)
  • Contains the sermons and discourses of Buddha
  • Compiled by Ananda at the First Buddhist Council
  • Five Nikayas (Collections):
    • Digha Nikaya — Long discourses (34 suttas)
    • Majjhima Nikaya — Middle-length discourses
    • Samyutta Nikaya — Grouped/connected discourses
    • Anguttara Nikaya — Numerical discourses
    • Khuddaka Nikaya — Minor texts (includes Dhammapada, Jataka tales, Therigatha)
Abhidhamma Pitaka
  • Philosophical and psychological analysis of Buddhist doctrine
  • Buddhist metaphysics and analytical philosophy
  • Compiled at the Third Buddhist Council under Ashoka
B. Important Buddhist Texts Outside Tripitaka
Jataka Tales
  • 547 stories of Buddha’s previous births (past lives)
  • Extremely important for social and economic history of ancient India
  • Part of Khuddaka Nikaya
  • Depicted on reliefs at Bharhut, Sanchi, and Amaravati
  • Most famous Jataka: Khuddaka Nikaya sub-section
⭐ Art link — Sanchi, Bharhut
Dhammapada
  • Collection of ethical verses (423 verses)
  • Part of Khuddaka Nikaya
  • Theme: Middle Path, morality, mental discipline
  • One of the most popular Buddhist texts globally
Milinda Panha (Milindapanha)
  • Dialogue between Indo-Greek king Menander (Milinda) and the Buddhist monk Nagasena
  • Important for: Logical exposition of Buddhist philosophy
  • Historical source for Indo-Greek relations
⭐ UPSC Prelims asked — Indo-Greek connection
Buddhacharita
  • Author: Ashvaghosha
  • A biography of Gautama Buddha in Sanskrit verse
  • First full-length biography of Buddha
Visuddhimagga (Path of Purification)
  • Author: Buddhaghosa (5th century CE)
  • Describes the path from monastic discipline to Nirvana/Nibbana
  • Written in Pali
  • Considered the “encyclopaedia of Theravada Buddhism”
Mahavastu
  • School: Lokottaravada (sub-sect of Mahasanghika)
  • Contains life of Buddha — semi-biographical
C. Mahayana Buddhist Texts
Prajnaparamita Sutras
  • Associated with Nagarjuna and Madhyamaka school
  • Theme: Shunyata (Emptiness) — all phenomena are empty of inherent existence
  • Includes the famous Heart Sutra and Diamond Sutra
Lotus Sutra (Saddharma Pundarika)
  • Theme: Universal Buddhahood — all beings can attain enlightenment
  • One of the most influential Mahayana texts
  • Hugely important in East Asian Buddhism
Lankavatara Sutra
  • Associated with Yogachara/Vijnanavada philosophy
  • Theme: Mind-only doctrine (all phenomena are projections of the mind)
D. Historical/Chronicle Buddhist Texts
Dipavamsa & Mahavamsa
  • Dipavamsa: Chronicle of Sri Lankan Buddhism — oldest Pali chronicle
  • Mahavamsa: Written by Mahinda (son of Ashoka); major source for Ashokan period and Sri Lanka’s history
⭐ Important for Ashoka’s history
Therigatha
  • Songs/poems composed by senior Buddhist nuns (Theris = Elder Nuns)
  • Part of Khuddaka Nikaya
  • One of the earliest collections of women’s literature in the world
⚖️ Buddhism vs Jainism — Key Differences
God Jainism: Recognises gods (Brahmanical gods included); Tirthankaras are supreme
Buddhism: Buddha neither accepted nor denied God; focused on individual liberation
Soul (Atman) Jainism: Believes in eternal Jiva (soul); also in transmigration of soul
Buddhism: Denies permanent soul — doctrine of Anatta (No-Self); no transmigrating soul
Ahimsa Jainism: Extreme — even agriculture is avoided; strict vegetarianism
Buddhism: Moderate — prohibits killing but allows eating meat in some circumstances
Asceticism Jainism: Extreme asceticism is the path — Sallekhana (ritual death by fasting)
Buddhism: Middle Path — rejects both extreme asceticism and luxury
Salvation Jainism: Kaivalya — possible only after death; not for women (Digambara view)
Buddhism: Nirvana — possible during one’s own lifetime; women can also attain
Language Jainism: Ardhamagadhi Prakrit (texts); spoken in Prakrit
Buddhism: Pali (Theravada texts); Sanskrit (Mahayana texts)
Karma Jainism: Karma is a real physical substance that sticks to the soul
Buddhism: Karma is a moral force (action and intention) — not a physical substance
Women Jainism: Digambaras — women cannot attain moksha; Shwetambaras — they can
Buddhism: Buddha initially reluctant but allowed women in Sangha — women can attain Nirvana
Spread Jainism: Primarily stayed in India (Rajasthan, Gujarat, Karnataka)
Buddhism: Spread across Asia — became a world religion
Key Philosophy Jainism: Anekantavada, Syadvada
Buddhism: Madhyamaka (Nagarjuna), Vijnanavada (Asanga), Pratitya Samutpada
🧠 Practice PYQs in Quiz Form
Practice all Jainism & Buddhism PYQs

Strengthen your preparation with topic-wise previous year questions in an interactive quiz format.

👉 Start Practice Here

⚡ Quick Revision — High-Yield One-Liners
  • First Tirthankara of Jainism → Rishabhanatha (Adinath) — mentioned in Rigveda
  • 24th Tirthankara → Vardhamana Mahavira
  • Parshvanatha added → 4 vows; Mahavira added → 5th vow (Brahmacharya)
  • Mahavira born at → Kundagrama (near Vaishali); died at Pavapuri
  • Buddha born at → Lumbini; enlightened at Bodh Gaya; first sermon at Sarnath; died at Kushinagar
  • First Buddhist Council → Rajagriha; patron Ajatashatru; presided by Mahakassapa
  • Third Buddhist Council → Pataliputra; patron Ashoka; presided by Mogaliputta Tissa
  • Fourth Buddhist Council → Kashmir; patron Kanishka; led to Hinayana–Mahayana split
  • Hinayana texts → Pali; Mahayana texts → Sanskrit
  • Nagarjuna → Einstein of India; Madhyamaka/Shunyavada; Mahayana Buddhism
  • Ashvaghosa → Buddhacharita (biography of Buddha); contemporary of Kanishka
  • Buddhaghosa → Visuddhimagga; Sumangalavilasini (commentary on Digha Nikaya)
  • Only text accepted by both Jain sects → Tattvartha Sutra (Umasvati)
  • Kalpa Sutra → Bhadrabahu; biographies of Tirthankaras; recited during Paryushana
  • Milinda Panha → Dialogue of king Menander (Milinda) and monk Nagasena
  • Dhammapada → 423 ethical verses; part of Khuddaka Nikaya
  • Jataka Tales → 547 stories of Buddha’s past lives; depicted at Sanchi and Bharhut
  • Therigatha → Poems of senior Buddhist nuns; earliest women’s literature
  • Mahavamsa → Written by Mahinda; key source for Ashoka’s era
  • Maitreya → Future Buddha; holds water phial (Mahayana)
  • Shunyata → Nagarjuna’s concept of Emptiness (Madhyamaka)
  • Anatta → No-Soul doctrine of Buddhism (fundamental difference from Jainism)
  • Pratitya Samutpada → Dependent Origination (12 links of causation) — core Buddhist concept
  • Chandragupta Maurya → Converted to Jainism; died by Sallekhana at Shravanabelagola
  • Suttapitaka compiled by → Ananda (at 1st Council); Ananda was Buddha’s personal attendant
  • Vinaya Pitaka compiled by → Upali (at 1st Council)

Discover more from CIRCULAR LEARNINGS

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading

Stay Connected
Join our Telegram channel
Join Channel →