Jainism and Buddhism -2 | KPSC KAS Preparation: All subjects - KPSC KAS (Karnataka) PDF Download

 Page 1


 
   
 
  
Buddha Sangha 
Body of disciples of the Buddh and he founded a sangha, an organization of monks who to became 
teachers of dhamma.  These monks lived simply, possessing only the essential requisites for 
survival, such as a bowl to receive food once a day from the laity. Known as bhikkhus  
Initially, only men were allowed into the sangha, but later women also came to be admitted.   
Mahapajapati Gotami was the first woman to be ordained as a bhikkhuni. 
Four Noble Truths 
The Four Noble Truths comprise the essence of Buddha's 
teachings. The four truths are best known from their 
presentation in the Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta.  
 
The noble truths says that there is always suffering in 
human life, there is cause for this suffering, the suffering 
can be ended and the path to end suffering is eight fold 
paths.  
Eight Fold Paths 
The path or way to end suffering is called eight fold paths 
and they are represented as 8 spokes of a wheel called 
Dharmachakra. The path consists of various 
interconnected activities related to knowledge, conduct, 
and meditative practices. 
Buddha said that by following these eight fold path, 
anyone can end the sufferings. 
 
Tripitaka 
Tripitaka or three baskets are three main books written in Pali language. They are Vinaya Pitaka, 
Sutta Pitaka and Abhidharma Pitaka.  
  
ANCIENT & MEDIEVAL
 
   
 
BUDDHISM
 
 
Page 2


 
   
 
  
Buddha Sangha 
Body of disciples of the Buddh and he founded a sangha, an organization of monks who to became 
teachers of dhamma.  These monks lived simply, possessing only the essential requisites for 
survival, such as a bowl to receive food once a day from the laity. Known as bhikkhus  
Initially, only men were allowed into the sangha, but later women also came to be admitted.   
Mahapajapati Gotami was the first woman to be ordained as a bhikkhuni. 
Four Noble Truths 
The Four Noble Truths comprise the essence of Buddha's 
teachings. The four truths are best known from their 
presentation in the Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta.  
 
The noble truths says that there is always suffering in 
human life, there is cause for this suffering, the suffering 
can be ended and the path to end suffering is eight fold 
paths.  
Eight Fold Paths 
The path or way to end suffering is called eight fold paths 
and they are represented as 8 spokes of a wheel called 
Dharmachakra. The path consists of various 
interconnected activities related to knowledge, conduct, 
and meditative practices. 
Buddha said that by following these eight fold path, 
anyone can end the sufferings. 
 
Tripitaka 
Tripitaka or three baskets are three main books written in Pali language. They are Vinaya Pitaka, 
Sutta Pitaka and Abhidharma Pitaka.  
  
ANCIENT & MEDIEVAL
 
   
 
BUDDHISM
 
 
 
   
 
? Vinaya Pitaka – This book contains rules of conduct and discipline for Buddhist 
monks and it was compiled during the first Buddhist council 
? Sutta Pitaka – This book contains teachings of Buddha and compiled during the first 
Buddhist council 
? Abhidharma pitaka – This book contains philosophical analysis of Buddha’s 
teachings and it was written during the third Buddhist council. 
Buddhist Councils 
Buddhist Councils marked important turning points in the early Buddhism. These councils resulted 
in sectarian clashes and the eventual Great Schism that resulted in the two major schools, 
Theravada and Mahayana. In total, 4 major Buddhist councils were convened: 
First Council 
It was held soon after the Mahaparinirvan of the Buddha, around 400 BC under the patronage of 
King Ajatshatru and was presided by Mahakasyapa, a monk. The council was held in the Sattapani 
cave at Rajgriha. The council was held with the purpose of preserving Buddha’s teachings (Sutta) 
and rules for disciples. During this council, the teachings of Buddha were divided into two Pitakas. 
Second Council 
It was held in Vaishali, a village in Bihar under the patronage of the king Kalasoka in 383 BC. It 
was presided by Sabakami. 
Third Council 
It was held in 250 BC in Patliputra under the patronage of Ashoka and was presided by 
Moggaliputta Tissa. 
Forth Council 
It was held in 72 AD at Kundalvana, 
Kashmir. It was presided by Vasumitra, 
under the patronage of King Kanishka of 
Kushan Empire. In this council Buddhism 
was divided into two sects namely 
Mahayana and Hinayana. 
Split in Buddhism 
In 4
th
 Buddhist council held at Kashmir in 72AD, Buddhism got divided into two sects, Mahayana 
and Hinayana. 
Page 3


 
   
 
  
Buddha Sangha 
Body of disciples of the Buddh and he founded a sangha, an organization of monks who to became 
teachers of dhamma.  These monks lived simply, possessing only the essential requisites for 
survival, such as a bowl to receive food once a day from the laity. Known as bhikkhus  
Initially, only men were allowed into the sangha, but later women also came to be admitted.   
Mahapajapati Gotami was the first woman to be ordained as a bhikkhuni. 
Four Noble Truths 
The Four Noble Truths comprise the essence of Buddha's 
teachings. The four truths are best known from their 
presentation in the Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta.  
 
The noble truths says that there is always suffering in 
human life, there is cause for this suffering, the suffering 
can be ended and the path to end suffering is eight fold 
paths.  
Eight Fold Paths 
The path or way to end suffering is called eight fold paths 
and they are represented as 8 spokes of a wheel called 
Dharmachakra. The path consists of various 
interconnected activities related to knowledge, conduct, 
and meditative practices. 
Buddha said that by following these eight fold path, 
anyone can end the sufferings. 
 
Tripitaka 
Tripitaka or three baskets are three main books written in Pali language. They are Vinaya Pitaka, 
Sutta Pitaka and Abhidharma Pitaka.  
  
ANCIENT & MEDIEVAL
 
   
 
BUDDHISM
 
 
 
   
 
? Vinaya Pitaka – This book contains rules of conduct and discipline for Buddhist 
monks and it was compiled during the first Buddhist council 
? Sutta Pitaka – This book contains teachings of Buddha and compiled during the first 
Buddhist council 
? Abhidharma pitaka – This book contains philosophical analysis of Buddha’s 
teachings and it was written during the third Buddhist council. 
Buddhist Councils 
Buddhist Councils marked important turning points in the early Buddhism. These councils resulted 
in sectarian clashes and the eventual Great Schism that resulted in the two major schools, 
Theravada and Mahayana. In total, 4 major Buddhist councils were convened: 
First Council 
It was held soon after the Mahaparinirvan of the Buddha, around 400 BC under the patronage of 
King Ajatshatru and was presided by Mahakasyapa, a monk. The council was held in the Sattapani 
cave at Rajgriha. The council was held with the purpose of preserving Buddha’s teachings (Sutta) 
and rules for disciples. During this council, the teachings of Buddha were divided into two Pitakas. 
Second Council 
It was held in Vaishali, a village in Bihar under the patronage of the king Kalasoka in 383 BC. It 
was presided by Sabakami. 
Third Council 
It was held in 250 BC in Patliputra under the patronage of Ashoka and was presided by 
Moggaliputta Tissa. 
Forth Council 
It was held in 72 AD at Kundalvana, 
Kashmir. It was presided by Vasumitra, 
under the patronage of King Kanishka of 
Kushan Empire. In this council Buddhism 
was divided into two sects namely 
Mahayana and Hinayana. 
Split in Buddhism 
In 4
th
 Buddhist council held at Kashmir in 72AD, Buddhism got divided into two sects, Mahayana 
and Hinayana. 
 
   
 
Mahayana: It is one of the two main schools of Buddhism. The term Mahayana is a Sanskrit word 
which literally means "Great Vehicle". It believes in the heavenliness of Buddha and Idol worship 
of Buddha and Bodhisattvas embodying Buddha Nature. It originated in northern India and 
Kashmir and then spread east into Central Asia, East Asia and some areas of Southeast Asia. 
Buddhist schools embedded in China, Korea, Tibet and Japan belong to the Mahayana tradition. 
Hinayana: Literally Lesser vehicle, also known as Abandoned Vehicle or Defective vehicle. It 
believes in the original teaching of Buddha or Doctrine of elders. It does not believe in Idol worship 
and tries to attain individual salvation through self-discipline and meditation. Theravada is a 
Hinayana sect. Theravada It is the most ancient branch of extant Buddhism today. It remains 
closest to the original teachings of the Buddha. 
Theravada Buddhism developed in Sri Lanka and subsequently spread to the rest of Southeast 
Asia. It is the dominant form of religion in Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, and Thailand.  
 
Vajrayana:  Vajrayana means “The Vehicle of the Thunderbolt”, also known as tantric Buddhism. 
This Buddhist school developed in India around 900 CE. It is grounded on esoteric elements and 
very complex set of rituals compared with the rest of the Buddhist schools. 
Zen:  It is a school of Mahayana Buddhism that originated in China during the Tang dynasty as the 
Chan school of Chinese Buddhism in and later developed into various schools. It spread to Japan 
in 7th century C.E