Religious Movements

 The 6th century BCE is considered the century of religious movements. During this time, Pythagoras in Greece, Zoroaster in Iran, and Confucius in China founded their respective religions. In India, the Vedic religion had accumulated many evils and superstitions. Subsequently, two major religions—Jainism and Buddhism—emerged.

Swami Mahavira

The great figures of Jainism are called Tirthankaras. Swami Mahavira was the 24th Tirthankara. He gave Jainism a new form.

Swami Mahavira was born in 540 BCE near Vaishali. His father’s name was Siddhartha and his mother’s name was Trishala Devi.

His childhood name was Vardhamana. At the age of thirty, Vardhamana, with his elder brother’s permission, renounced worldly life and became an ascetic. After twelve years of severe penance, he attained Kevalya (true knowledge). Because of his austerity and endurance, he was called Mahavira, and as the conqueror of the senses, he was also called Jina. At the age of 72, he attained nirvana at a place called Pawapuri.

Jainism: Philosophy and Principles

• In Pali scriptures, Mahavira is regarded not as the founder but as the propagator of Jainism.
• Before Mahavira, Parshvanatha had given four Jain principles: truth, non-violence, non-possession, and non-stealing. Mahavira added a fifth principle—celibacy.
• Jain philosophy includes Syadvada, which consists of seven truths, also called Anekantavada.
• Jain philosophy is close to Samkhya philosophy. It accepts the existence of two fundamental elements—jiva (soul) and ajiva (non-soul). Jainism emphasizes the doctrine of karma and considers liberation (moksha) as the ultimate goal of the soul.
• The three jewels (Triratna) of Jainism are right faith, right knowledge, and right conduct. Jainism accepts the existence of the soul.

Jain Sangha

• Mahavira divided all followers into 11 groups and appointed a leader (Gandhara) in each group, giving them the responsibility of spreading the religion.
• The Jain Sangha was divided into two parts—Digambara (followers of Bhadrabahu) and Shvetambara (followers of Sthulabhadra). This division was based on differences in beliefs.
• Shvetambaras wore white clothes, while Digambaras lived without clothes.

Jain Scriptures

• Jain scriptures were composed in the Prakrit language.
• They are called Purva or Agamas. These include 12 Angas, 12 Upangas, 10 Prakirnas, 6 Chedasutras, and 4 Mulasutras.
• In the first Jain council held during the reign of Chandragupta Maurya, the Agamas were compiled into the Angas.
• In the second Jain council, the Angas were recompiled. Originally there were 12 Angas, but after one was lost, only 11 remained.
• mportant Jain texts include Parishishta Parva, Acharanga Sutra, Kalpasutra, Bhagavati Sutra, and Bhadrabahu Charita.
• The life stories of Jain Tirthankaras are found in the Kalpasutra written by Bhadrabahu.

Gautama Buddha

 Buddhism was founded by Mahatma Gautama Buddha, who lived during the same time as Mahavira. Buddha was born in 563 BCE at Lumbini near Kapilavastu. His childhood name was Siddhartha. His father’s name was Shuddhodana and his mother’s name was Mayadevi.

 It is said that one day Siddhartha left the palace and first saw a very sick person. Going further, he saw an old man, and finally a dead body. These sights raised questions in his mind: Will I also fall sick, grow old, and die? These questions troubled him deeply. Then he saw a wandering ascetic. At the age of 29, he left home and became a monk.

 Siddhartha practiced severe penance for six years in search of knowledge. Under a peepal tree, he attained enlightenment (bodhi). That tree has since been called the Bodhi tree, and the place where he attained enlightenment is known as Bodh Gaya.

 Buddha gave his first sermon at Sarnath. At the age of 80, he attained nirvana at Kushinagar.

Buddhism: Philosophy and Principles

• Buddhism: Philosophy and Principles Buddha gave his teachings in the common people’s language, Pali.
• The principles of Buddhism are based on the Four Noble Truths:
  1. There is suffering.
  2. There is a cause of suffering.
  3. There is an end to suffering.
  4. There is a path to end suffering.
• The cycle of causes of suffering is called Pratityasamutpada. The root cause of suffering is craving (trishna).
• To attain nirvana (liberation), Buddha taught the Eightfold Path:
  • Right View (or Understanding): Comprehending the Four Noble Truths and the nature of reality.
  • Right Resolve (or Intention): Committing to non-attachment, compassion, and non-harming.
  • Right Speech: Refraining from lying, divisive speech, harsh words, and idle chatter.
  • Right Action: Behaving ethically by avoiding killing, stealing, and sexual misconduct.
  • Right Livelihood: Earning a living in a way that does not harm others.
  • Right Effort: Cultivating positive mental states and abandoning negative ones.
  • Right Mindfulness: Developing awareness of the body, feelings, and mind.
  • Right Concentration: Practicing deep mental focus and meditation
• The Eightfold Path is considered the noble friend of monks. Buddhism emphasizes morality.
• Buddha stressed the doctrine of karma and gave importance to truth and non-violence. Nirvana (liberation) was accepted as the ultimate goal.
• Buddhism rejected the authority of the Vedas.
• Buddhism is essentially non-theistic. Buddha rejected the concept of the soul, though he accepted the doctrine of rebirth.
• The three jewels of Buddhism are: Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha.
• Buddhist symbols include: lotus and bull (birth), horse (renunciation), peepal tree (enlightenment), footprints (nirvana), and stupa (death).

Tripitaka

1. Sutta Pitaka: Contains the principles of Buddhism.
2. Vinaya Pitaka: Explains the rules of the Buddhist Sangha.
3. Abhidhamma Pitaka: Elaborates on Buddhist philosophy.

Buddhist Scriptures

• Most Buddhist texts were composed in Pali.
• Important Sanskrit Buddhist texts include Buddhacharita, Saundarananda, and Sariputra Prakarana by Ashvaghosha.
• he Mahavastu in Sanskrit relates to Buddha’s life.
• Visuddhimagga by Buddhaghosa is a text of the Hinayana sect.
• Other important Mahayana texts include Lalitavistara, Saddharma Pundarika, Vajracchedika, Sukhavati Vyuh, and Ashta Sahasrika Prajnaparamita.

Buddhist Sects

• After Buddha’s Mahaparinirvana, Buddhism split into several sects. The two main ones were Hinayana and Mahayana.
• Hinayana followed Buddha’s original philosophy and principles, while Mahayana followers believed not only in Buddha but also in the lives and principles of Bodhisattvas.

Other Sects of the 6th Century BCE