5.

Rise of Jainism and Buddhism

By the sixth century BC, religious worship in India had become extremely
ritualistic, and
society was bound by rigid caste rules. Dissatisfied with such conditions, many
thinkers
gave up worldly life and went to meditate in peace and seek enlightenment. Some of
them
came back to share their new-found knowledge and even won followers. Among such
thinkers were Gautama Buddha and Vardhamana Mahavira. Their teachings gave rise to
two
important religions—Buddhism and Jainism.

Buddhism

Early history The founder of Buddhism, Gautama Siddhartha,

was born at Lumbini near Kapilavastu around 563 BC.
Gautama was the son of a chief of the Shakya clan. Initially, he
led a life of luxury. He was married to a princess, Yashodhara,
and had a son named Rahul. According to legend, after seeing
an old man, a sick man and a dead man, Gautama realised that
there is suffering in this world. The sight of an ascetic made
him think that there is also a way to end suffering.

Gautama left home at the age of 30 to find the way to

end suffering. He wandered for six years, during which he
subjected himself to all kinds of hardships. For instance, The Buddha's first
sermon
he went without food and water for several days. Finally,
he sat under a pipal tree at Bodh Gaya and resolved not to
get up until he had found answers to all his questions. He
remained there in deep meditation for 49 days. At the end of
this period, he attained nirvana, or enlightenment, and became
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 Pali, the common man’s
language, as he wanted his message to reach everyone. Many
of his followers became bhikshus, or monks. They lived in
monasteries, which were also centres of learning.

The Buddha died in about 483 BC at Kusinagar in eastern

Uttar Pradesh. His teachings are preserved in the Jataka
tales and the three Pitakas. From India, Buddhism spread to

Essential ICSE History and Civics for Class 6

Central Asia, China and South-East Asiz Later on, Buddhism

split into two sects—Mahayana’ (Great Vehicle) and
Hinayana (Lesser Vehicle)- The followers of Mahayana
Buddhism worship images of the Buddha and regard
him as an incarnation of God! The followers of —
Hinayana Buddhism regard the Buddha as a great
religious teacher and worship him through symbols
like the lotus.

34
‘eachings The Buddha's teachings are based
on the Four Noble Truths listed below.

1. There is suffering mm this world.

9. There is a cause of suffering.

3. The cause is desire.

4. Desire can be overcome by following

the Ashtangika Marge- (Eightfold Path)
consisting of Right Understanding, Right
Purpose, Right Speech, Right Behaviour,
Right Means of Livelihood, Right Effort,
Right Awareness and Right Meditation.

A statue of Gautama Buddha This ensbles = Seenett from =

: cycle of rebirth and attain nirvana.

The Buddha advised his disciples to follow the middle

path, that is, neither to give up all worldly possessions
nor to live in luxury. The Buddha preached equality of

all human beings. He rejected the caste system as well

as all rituals. He did not discuss God. Gautama Buddha’

offered his followers three jewels’ in which they could

find peace—Buddha (the Enlightened One), Dharma
or Dhamma (sacred law), and Sangha (community of
enlightened men and women). The Buddha forbade lying,
stealing and killing. The emphasis of his teachings was on
himsa, or nonviolence.

Jainism

Jainism was founded by Vardhamana

Mahavira. Mahavira was born at Kundalavana near Vaishali
in 540 BC. He was brought up in luxury, but left home at the
age of 29. For the next 12 years, he meditated and led a life
of severe austerity, that is, a life of minimum comforts. He
finally attained kaivalya, or perfect knowledge. Henceforth,
he was called the Jina, or conqueror, and his followers

A statue of a Jain tirthankara

Rise of Jainism and Buddhism 35

7 \ *
Mead + 4 & #4 Bere alle Pere: «|

The Jain temple at Pawapuri at the site of Mahavira's cremation

were called Jains. Mahavira claimed to be the twenty-fourth tirthankara, or seeker

of truth. He

recognised 23 other tirthankaras who lived before him.

Mahavira won many followers as he preached in the Prakrit language spoken by the
common people. He preached at Magadha, Kosala and Videha in North India. Jainism
also
became popular in Rajasthan, Gujarat, Malwa and South India.

Mahavira died at Pawapuri near Rajgir (Bihar) at the age of 72. His teachings are
preserved

in the 12 Angas. Later on, the Jains split into two sects—the Shwetambaras, who
wear white

robes, and the Digambaras, who follow Mahavira’s path of austerity and wear no
clothes.

Main teachings Mahavira’s teachings were simple. Mahavira believed that a person’s
position
ieved that anyone—even a low-

in life depends on karma (deeds of the previous life). He bel

born person—could attain moksha (freedom from the cycle of rebirth). He preached
ahimsa,
and forbade his followers to cause harm or injury to any living being. Mahavira
called upon
his disciples to lead good and pure lives by adopting the Tri-ratna, or the ‘three
jewels’. These
were Right Faith, Right Knowledge and Right Action. Mahavira instructed his
followers not to
lie, steal or kill, and encouraged them to lead austere lives. Like the Buddha, he
did not discuss

God. He rejected all rituals.

Similarities between Buddhism and Jainism

Buddhism ari Jainism had many common features. The founders of the two religions—
Gautama Buddha and Mahavira—were born in the sixth century BC and belonged to the

36 Essential {CSE History and Civics for Class ©

Keshatriya caste- In fact, both belonged to royal families. They aso aaa the same
geographical region. Both Gautama Buddha and Mahavire were disturbed by man’s
suffering and the meaningless rituals of Hinduism. They left sneir comnfortable
homes
at a similar age—2? to 30 years—and underwent 4 Jot of hardships before attaining
enlightenment. Both favoured ahimsa, OF nonviolence, and res f fife. Thei
teachings Were not centred around abstract ideas or even on i

expensive and meaningless rites and rituals. They laid stress Of

religions Were preached in Pali and Pprakrit—the language

Teachings of Gautama Buddha and Mahavira: 4 comparison

Gautama Buddha ~

Attained nirvana, pecame the Buddha,

ee

the Enlightened One

conqueror

Prakrit

Tri-ratna, OF three jewels:

E ‘ha: the Enlighten ed One Ls Right Faith
e Dharma: sacred law e Right Knowledge
Sangha: comin) ity of enlightened eae wit Action
and women —

e Bu

Four Noble Truths:

e There is suffering:
e Suffering has a cause.
e The cause is desire:

* Desire can be overcome by following

fhe Eightfold Path (Ashtangika Marga):

Texts Teachings preserved in Jataka and the Teachings preserv ed in

three Pitakas 12 Angas
Split in later years Hinayana and Mahayana Digambaras and
Shwetambaras
Spread Spread from India to Gri Lanka, South-East Remained confined to India,
Asia and China especially western India

Popularity and Spread of Jainism and Buddhism

Jainism and Buddhism became very popular because both rejected the rigidities
impose
society by Brahmanism. As these religions were preached in the everyday language,
became available to all. Anyone, irrespective of caste, could attain moksha. These
reli

also did not deal in abstract ideas.

38 Essential ICSE History and Civics for Class 6

At the same time, some developments in Hinduism weakened the popularity of both
Buddhism and Jainism. Hindu saints introduced reforms in the beliefs and practises
of
Hinduism. They now preached devotion and discouraged meaningless rituals and
sacrifices.
The Bhakti saints of later years advocated a caste-free society. Hinduism accepted
Lord
Buddha as an avatar of Lord Vishnu. The rulers of large parts of India patronised
Hinduism.

SILTY Points to Remember YIRTS

Buddhism and Jainism arose out of the dissatisfaction caused by some of the
religious and
social practices of the sixth century BC.

Buddhism was founded by Gautama Buddha. His teachings, centred round the Four
Noble Truths, mainly recommended following the Eightfold Path.

From India, Buddhism spread to Central Asia, China and South-East Asia. It later
split into
two sects—Mahayana and Hinayana.

+ + + F

Jainism was founded by Vardhamana Mahavira, who claimed to be the twenty-fourth

tirthankara. He taught his followers to lead good and pure lives by adopting the
Tri-ratna.
Jainism later split into two sects—Shwetambara and Digambara. Jainism became
popular
in northern, western and southern India.

4s Buddhism and Jainism were similar in many respects. Both religions were against
the caste
system and ritualism; both stressed on the equality of all human beings and on
ahimsa;
and both spread by means of languages used by the common people.

4s Buddhism declined because the Sanghas acquired enormous wealth; monks became
materialistic; Buddhism weakened after it split into the Hinayana and Mahayana
sects;
Hinduism became more popular as it reformed itself, accepted Lord Buddha as an
avatar
of Vishnu; and was patronised by rulers.

SESELTSAS_ Exercise SISIISTS

A. Answer the following questions in one or two sentences.

pai

. What were the conditions in India just before the rise of Buddhism and Jainism?
. Why is Bodh Gaya important in the context of the rise of Buddhism?

. Name at least two regions outside India where Buddhism spread.

. What do you understand by the Buddha’s middle path?

. What were the three ‘jewels’ offered by the Buddha to his followers?

What is meant by ahimsa? Has it any importance today?

. Explain the terms ‘kaivalya’ and ‘Jina’.

. Name three regions in India where Jainism became popular.

. Who are the Shwetambaras and Digambaras?

. Why were traders attracted to Buddhism and Jainism?

e
o

Rise of Jainism and Buddhism 39

11. What were the two sects into which Buddhism got divided?
12. Mention how the revival of Hinduism led to the decline of Buddhism.

8. Answer the following questions.

1. Write briefly on the early life of the following.

(a) Gautama Buddha (b) Mahavira

2. Write short notes on the following.
(a) The Buddha’s Four Noble Truths (b) Mahavira’s Tri-ratna

3. Mention one similarity and one dissimilarity between the teachings of the Buddha
and those of Mahavira.
4. Buddhism and Jainism were religions of protest. Why?

5. Mention two factors that made Jainism and Buddhism popular in India.

6. Discuss three developments within Buddhism which led to its decline.

C. Fill in the blanks.

1. Gautama Buddha preached in the ...... language.
2. Mahavira was the ...... tirthankara.
3. Pawapuri is a site sacred to the followers of the religion ...... .
4, Mahavira’s teachings are preserved in the 12 ...... d

5, Hinduism accepted Lord Buddha as an avatar OF ccs

D. Choose the correct option. |

1. The Buddha delivered his first sermon at

(a) Vaishali (b) Sarnath ’ (c) Bodh Gaya (d) Lumbini |

2. A seeker of truth in Jainism is called A

(a) a bhikshu (b) Jina (c) a tirthankara (d) none of these

3. Jainism rejected |

(a) austerity (b) ahimsa (c) the caste system (d) all of these

4. Chaityas were

(a) monastries for monks (b) monuments containing relics of the Buddha

(c) prayer halls (d) universities

5. Buddhism became a major religion in countries like '

(a) China (b) Japan (c) Tibet (d) all of these |

E. State whether the following statements are true or false. 4

1. In Jainism and Buddhism all castes could attain moksha. ‘

2. In Mahayana Buddhism, Lord Buddha was worshipped in the form of symbols. NY

3. Buddhism declined because rulers patronised Hinduism.

4. Jainism spread to other parts of the world.

* Read some stories from the Jataka tales and narrate them in your class.

e Write out the dialogues and enact an imaginary scene wherein the Buddha and
Mahavira meet and compare their times with ours. |