RELIGIOUS MOVEMENTS OF MAHAJANAPADA PERIOD

Jainism

1. The origin of Jainism is shrouded in mystery. It is believed that the 24 Tirthankaras were responsible for the development and origin of this religion, but the first twenty two are of doubtful historicity contemporary economic and political development helped the emergence of new social

groups which acquired considerable economic power. As Jainism did not give much importance to the notion of birth for social status they attracted the Vaisyas to their fold.

2. Rishabhdev was the first Tirthankara. Vishnu Purana and Bhagwat Purana mention Rishabhdev as the incarnation of Narayana.

Personal History of Mahavira

Real Names - Vardhamanas

Titles - Mahavira, Nayaput

Nirgrantha

Birth - 540 BC

Place of Birth - Kundagrama in Vaishali

Father's Name - Siddhartha

Mother's Name - Trishala (A

Licchavi

Princess, Sister of

Chetaka)

Wife - Yashoda

Class - Kshatriya

Clan - Nyaya (Jnatrika)

Enlightenment - Jimbikagrama/ Rijupalika (river)

Companion - Gosala Makkhaliputta

Death - 468 BC, Pavapuri near

Rajgriha

Philosophy of Jainism

1. It rejected the authority of the Vedas and the vedic rituals. According to them, world was not created, maintained and destroyed by a personal God, but by a universal law. Thus, it didn't believe in the existence of God. It believed in Karma and the transmigration of soul. It advocated the path of non-violence.

2. Other important aspects of the philosophy of Jainism are as follows:

Anekantavada - Objects of knowledge is of

infinite characteristics.

Nayavada - An individual understands

an objected of knowledge

through a particular point

of view.

Saptabhanginaya - Seven point of view to understand an object of

knowledge.

Syadvada - Understand of an object of knowledge is conditional.

Doctrines of Jainism

1. Ahimsa (Non-violence)

2. Satya (Truthfulness)

3. Asteya (Non-stealing)

4. Brahmacharya (Celibacy)

5. Aparigraha (Non-possession of property)

Five Vows or Principles

1. The householder had to observe the following five vows:

(I) Non-injury

(II) Non-stealing

(III) Speaking the truth

(IV) Non-possession

(V) Non-adultery

2. The first four principles were given by Parshvanath while the 5th one was added by Lord Mahavira.

Jain's Architecture

1. The image of a Tirthankara from Lohaonipur (Patna) dating back to the Mauryan period is one of the earliest Jaina figures.

2. Caves Hathigumpha, Baghagumpha, Udaygiri and Khandagiri (Orissa).

3. Dilwara Temple at Mount Abu (Rajasthan), Vimala Vasahi and Tejapala temple.

4. Girnar and Palitana temples (Gujarat).

5. Pavapuri and Rajagriha temple (Bihar).

6. Statue of Gomateshwara or Bahubali; at Shravanabelagola in Mysore (Karnataka).

7. The Jainas composed the earliest important works in Apabhramsa and its first grammar. They contributed to the growth of regional language such as Tamil, Telugu, Hindi, Kannada and Rajasthani.

Royal Potrons

1. South India Kadamb and Ganga dynasty; Amogvarsha (Rashtrakuta dynasty); Siddharaj Jai Sing and Kumar Pala (Chalukya or Solanki) the last great patrons of Jainism.

2. North India Bimbisar, Ajashatru and Udayin (Haryanka); Nandas; Chandragupta Maurya Bindusara and Samprati (Mauryan); Pradyota (Avanti); Udayan (Sindhu-Sauvira); Kharavela (Kalinga).

Sects of Jainism

1. After the death of Mahavira, during the reign of Chandragupta Maurya, a severe famine led to a great exodus of Jain monk from Ganga valley to the Deccan. This migration led to great Schism in Jainism.

2. Digambaras Followers of Bhadrabahu who accompanied him to South. He insisted on the retention of the rule of nudity.

3. Svetambaras Sthulabhadra, the leader of the monk who remained in North and allowed his followers to wear white garments.

Jaina Councils

There were two jaina councils are as follows:

(I) The First Jaina Council was held at Pataliputra under Sthulabahu, around 300 BC.

(II) The Second Jaina Council was held at Vallabhi (Gujarat) in AD 512 and it was presided by Devaradhi Kshamasramana.

List of 24 Tirthankaras

S.No Names Symbols

(1) Rishabha (Adinath) Bull

(2) Ajitnath Elephant

(3) Sambhav Nath Horse

(4) Abhinandan Nath Monkey

(5) Sumatinath Curlew

(6) Padmaprabha Red Lotus

(7) Suparshvanath Svastika

(8) Chandra Prabha Crescent

(9) Pushpadanta (Suvidhinath) Dolphin

(10) Shitalnath Wishing Tree

(11) Shreyamsanath Garuda

(12) Vasupujya Buffalo

(13) Vimalnath Bear

(14) Anantanath Bear

(15) Dharmanath Vajardanda

(16) Shantinath Deer

(17) Kunthunath Goat

(18) Aranath Fish

(19) Malinath Water Pot

(20) Munisuvrata Tortoise

(21) Naminath Blue Lotus

(22) Aristnemi Conch

(23) Parshvanath Serpent

(24) Mahavira (Vardhamana) Lion

Buddhism

Buddhism as a religion and philosophy encompasses a variety of traditions, beliefs and practices largely based on teachings of Buddha.

Personal History of Gautama Buddha

Real Name Siddhartha

Titles Buddha, Shakya Muni

Birth 563 BC Lumbini in Kapil Vastu

Father's Name Shuddhodhana

Mather's Name Mahamaya

Foster Mother Mahaprajapati Gautama

Wife Yasodhara

Enlightenment Uruvela, under the Pipal tree (known as Bodhi tree)

Death 483 BC, Kushinagar

Philosophy of Buddhism

1. The Doctrine of Karma is the essential part of the teachings of Buddha. It emphasized on the moral life of an individual. It neither accepted nor rejected the existence of God. It rejected the Vedas and Vedic ritual and even the caste system.

2. The philosophy advocated the observance of middle path. It didn't believe in the permanence of soul. It also emphasized on ahimsa.

Four Noble Truths

(I) Sorrow (Dukkha) world is full of sorrow.

(II) The cause of sorrow (Dukkha Samudaya), is desire.

(III) Cessation of sorrow (Dukkha Nirodha), is possible.

(IV) The path leading to the cessation of sorrow (Dukkha Nirodhagamini Pratipad), is Ashtangika Marga.

Ashtangika Marga

This is the great middle path, for it avoids the extremes of gross luxury and severe austerity. This middle path leads finally to nirvana, which implies not only the extinction of desire, but also the attainment of a perfect state of tranquility. Emphasis is laid on the observance of the Silas (moralities) Samadhi (concentration) and Prajan (insight).

Doctrines of Buddhism

The Nobel Eightfold Path (Ashtangika Marga) include.

(I) Right views (Samma-Sankappa)

(II) Right aspiration (Samma-Zditthi)

(III) Right speech (Samma-Vaka)

(IV) Right conduct (Sammy-Kammanta)

(V) Right livelihood (Samma-Ajiva)

(VI) Right effort (Samma-Vayamma)

(VII) Right mindfulness (Samma-Sati)

(VIII) Right meditation (Samma-Samadhi)

Three Jewels (Triratnas)

(I) Buddha (the enlightened)

(II) Dhamma (doctrine)

(III) Sangha (order)

Sects of Buddhism

Like Jainism, Buddhism also faced dissension. It was divided into three main sects:

Hinayana or Lesser Wheel

1. Its followers believed in the original teachings of Buddha. They sought individual salvation through self-discipline and meditation. They didn't believe in idol-worship.

2. Hinayana is a religion without God, Karma taking the place of God. Nirvana is regarded as the extinction of all.

3. The oldest school of Hinayana, Buddhism is the Sthaviravada (Theravada in Pali) or the Doctrine of the Elders. Its Sanskrit counterpart, which is more philosophical, is known as Sarvastivada or the doctrine which maintains the existence of all things, physical as well as mental.

4. From Sarvastivada or Vaibhasika branched off another school called Sautantrika, which was more critical in outlook.

5. Pali, the language of the masses, was used by Hinayana Buddhists, Ashoka patronized Hinayanaism.

Mahayana or Great Wheel

1. Its followers believed in the heaven lines of Buddha and sought the salvation of all through the grace and help of Buddha and Bodhisattvas. It believes in idol-worship. It believes that nirvana is not a negative cessation of misery, but a positive state of bliss.

2. Mahayana had two chief philosophical schools the Madhyamika and the Yogacharya.

3. Madhyamika philosophical school was propounded by Nagarjuna. It is a midway between uncompromising realism of Hinayanism and idealism of Yogacharya.

4. Yogacharya school was founded by Maitreyanatha. This school completely rejected the realism of Hinayanism and maintained absolute idealism.

5. Sanskrit, the language of scholars was used by Mahayana Buddhists. Kanishka patronized Mahayanism. Later, Harsha supported it.

Vajrayana or Vehicle of Thunder Bolt

1. Its followers believed that salvation could be best attained by acquiring the magical power, which they called Vajra. The chief divinities of this new sect were the Taras.

2. It became popular in Eastern India, particularly in Bengal and Bihar.

Literature of Buddhism

1. The Sutta Pitaka A collection of Buddha's sermon. Divided into 5 groups (Nikayas) i.e. Digha Nikaya; Majjhim Nikaya; Samyutta Nikaya; Anguttara Nikaya and Khuddaka Nikaya.

2. The Vinaya Pitaka It contains the rules and regulation of monastic discipline for monks.

3. The Abhidhamma Pitaka It ascribed to Moggaliputta Tissa, President of the Third Council, it contains the profound philosophy of the Buddha's teachings. Deals with the same subject as the Sutta Pitaka, but in a more scholaristic manner. It is divided into Dhamma Sagim, Vibhinga, Dhatu Katha, Pulapjafi Katha Vatthu, Yamak and Patthan.

4. The Jataka A collection of over 500 poems, which describes the previous birth of Buddha.

5. The Buddhavamsa It contains legends of verses about the 24 Buddhas who preceded Gautama in earlier times.

6. Milinda Panho This discussion between Menander and Buddhist Monk Nagasena.

7. Ceylonese Chronicle Dipavamsa, Mahavamsa and Culavamsa.

8. Vaipulya Sutras (Sadharma Pundarika).

Buddhist Architecture

Buddhism takes the credit for are as follows:

(I) First human statues to be worshipped.

(II) Stone-pillars depicting the life of Buddha at Gaya, Sanchi and Bharhut.

(III) Gandhara art and the beautiful images of the Buddha.

(IV) Cave architecture in the Barabar hills at Gaya and in Western India around Nasik.

(V) Art pieces of Amaravati and Nagarjunakonda.

Buddhist Mudras

1. Abhaya Mudra The Abhaya Mudra (mudra of no-fear) represents protection, peace, benevolence and dispelling of fear.

2. Bhumisparsha Mudra This gesture calls upon the Earth to witness Shakyamuni Buddha's enlightenment at Bodh Gaya.

3. Dharmachakra Mudra The Dharmachakra Mudra represents a central moment in the life of Buddha when he preached his first sermon after his enlightenment in Deer park in Sarnath.

4. Dhyana Mudra The Dhyana Mudra (meditation mudra) is the gesture of meditation of the concentration of the good law and the songha.

5. Varada Mudra The Varada Mudra (favourable mudra) signifies offerings , welcome, charity, giving, compassion and sincerity.

6. Vajra Mudra The Vajra Mudra (thunder mudra) is the gesture of knowledge.

7. Vitarka Mudra The Vitarka Mudra (mudra of discussion) is the gesture of discussion and transmission of Buddhist teaching.

8. Gyana Mudra The Gyana Mudra (mudra of knowledge) is done by touching the tips of the thumb and the index together, forming a circle and the hand is held with the palm inward toward the heart.

9. Karana Mudra The Karana Mudra is the mudra which expels demons and removes obstacles such as sickness or negative thoughts.

Decline of Buddhism

1. By the AD 12th century, Buddhism became practically extinct in India. It became a victim to the evils of Brahaminism against which it had fought in the beginning. The Buddhist monks were cut off from the mainstream of people's life as they gave up Pali, the language of people and took to Sanskrit. By the AD 7th century, the Buddhist monasteries had come to be dominated by ease loving people and became centres of corrupt practices, which Gautama Buddha had strictly prohibited.

2. The new form of Buddhism was known as Vajrayana and entry of women into the Buddhist sanghas.