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BuddHIsm

The founder of Buddhism, Gautama Buddha whose original name was Siddhartha, born at
Lumbini (Nepal), near Kapilvastu around 563 BC. Gautama was the son of a Chief of Shakya
clan, King Shuddhodana. Initially, he led a life of luxury. He was married to a princess,
Yashodhara and had a son named Rahul. He always wanted to find out the true meaning of
life. At a very young age of 30, he left home in search of knowledge. He travelled for years,
meeting people trying to know their thinkings
• Buddhist Literature consists of Tri and also tried to solve their problems. Finally
Pitakas-Vinay Pitaka, Sutta Pitaka and he sat under a peepal tree at Bodh Gaya in Bihar
Abhidhamna Pitaka. and resolved not to get up until he had found
• The Angas and Purvas are the religious answers to all his questions. He remained there
text of the Jain literature. The religious in deep meditation for 49 days. At the end of this
literature has been written in a form of period, he attained enlightenment and became
Prakrit called ardh-magadh.
known as the Buddha (the Enlightened One).
The Buddha delivered his first sermon at Sarnath near Varanasi. He then
wandered for 40 years, preaching Buddhism. The Buddha preached in the
common man’s language, as he wanted his message to reach everyone. The
Buddha died around the age of 80 at Kusinagar in Eastern Uttar Pradesh.

Buddha’s Teachings : Buddha said that life is full of suffering and
unhappiness. This is because human beings have unending desires.
Buddha taught that this constant craving could be overcome by following
a life of Middle path. The basic teachings of Buddha are called the four A Statue of Buddha
Noble Truths. These can be summarised as:

• There is suffering everywhere in the world.
• Suffering is caused by desire.
• Man’s aim in life is to end suffering.

• By following the Middle Path, which is called Eight-fold Path or Ashtangika Marga.
One can get rid of suffering.
The Eight-fold Path consists the following:

Right view, Right intention, Right speech, Right action, Right living, Right effort, Right
mindfulness and Right meditation, which help leading a balanced life of Moderation. This
will help in ending man’s never-ending desires.

JaInIsm

Jainism was founded by Vardhamana Mahavira of the Vajji gana-
sangha. He was born in 540 BC at Kundalavana near Vaishali in Bihar.
Mahavira’s father was the head of a famous Kshatriya clan and mother
was a Lichchhavi princess. Mahavira left his home at the age of 30 and

wandered for 12 years in search of knowledge. In the 13th year of his
asceticism, he attained supreme knowledge (Kaivalya) and he was called
the Jina, which means the conqueror and his followers were called Jains.
A Statue of Mahavira
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