Important Notes on Buddhism for SSC CGL 2023

Important Notes on Buddhism for SSC CGL 2023: The Buddhism or most commonly Buddha Dhamma is believed to have existed in India in the 5^th Century BC with the life of Gautama Buddha also known as Sakyamuni/ Tathagata as the founder of Buddhism. Important Notes on Buddhism for SSC CGL 2023

• The Buddhism is the world’s oldest region in India and most important topic for any competitive exams like SSC CGL and more. Candidates are required to pay attention to the life of Gautama Buddha till its death.
• In this article, we are providing you with the important notes on the life of Buddhism for exams. short notes on buddhism

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Important Notes on Buddhism for SSC CGL 2023

• He was born on 563 B.C in  Lumbini (present day in Nepal) in the Sakhya tribe of Kapilvastu on “Vaisakha Purnima” day in Kshatriya clan.
• His childhood name was Siddhartha.
• The event of the birth of Buddha is symbolized by Lotus and Bull. The Lotus has been a symbol of purity, speech and mind while the Bull represents the importance of not speaking harshly to anyone.   

Other Information

Father’s name   – Sudhodhana  and belonged to Saka ruler,

Mother’s name – Mahamaya (princess of “Kosalan dynasty“)

Stepmother      – Gautami

Spouse   – Yashodhara (princess of “Kali dynasty“)

  Horse name of Buddha   – Kanthak

Charioteer name    – Channa

   Teacher   – 1) Alara Khama   2) Udraka Ramaputra

  Disciples  – 1) Tapasso    2) Ananda (most important disciple of Buddha)

• He attained “Nirvana” at Uruvella (Bodh Gaya) under a Pipal tree on the bank of river Niranjan.
• In his last days of life, he reached Vaishali where his disciple named Kunda fed him pork due to which He died at the age of 80 years in 483 B.C at Kushinagar (Uttar Pradesh). Important Notes on Buddhism for SSC CGL 2023

Important facts

First Sermon of Buddha  – Sarnath (M.P)

Last sermon of Buddha   – Kushinagar (U.P)

Maximum sermon at Shravasti (U.P)

Events during the Life of Gautama Buddha

  Teachings of Buddha

   a) Three Jewels (Triratnas)

      1) The Three Jewels are the religious practices carried out by Buddhist by means of a prayer or recitation at the beginning of the day or of a practice session. These are:

• Buddha – it means the fully enlightened one
• Dhamma  – The Dhamma generally means the teachings by the Buddha
• Sangha    ­- The monastic order of Buddhism that practice the Dharma

    b) Eight-Fold Path (Ashtangika Marga)

     1) Right Livelihood, 2) Right Speech, 3) Right Actions, 4) Right Efforts, 5) Right Thoughts, 6) Right Concentration, 7) Right Remembrance, 8) Should not be “absent minded”

Sects of Buddhism

1) Vajrayana – They believe in black magic.

 2) Mahayana– The Great Vehicle. They believe in Idol worship and Sanskrit language was used.

  3) Hinayana – The Lesser Vehicle. They do not believe in Idol worship & Pali language was used.

Buddhist Literature

• The Buddhist literatures were written in the Pali language
• The holy book of Buddhism literature is known as Tripitaka (means “three baskets”) and refers to:

1) Vinaya Pitaka  – contains the laws and disciplinary rules for the Buddhist monks.

  2) Sutta Pitaka  – contains the collection Buddha’s sermon.

    3) Abhidhamma Pitaka  – contains philosophy of Buddha’s teaching.

• Discussions between the Greek king Menander and the Buddhist monk is referred as the Milindapanho.
• “King Ashoka” sent Buddhist missions under son Mahendra and daughter Sanghamitra to Sri Lanka.

Buddhist Architecture:

• The three key elements of Buddhist architecture are:

1) Stupa – These are the mound-like structure depicting the life of Buddha or Buddhist monks after his death.

a) The oldest and largest stupa found in Sanchi in Madhya Pradesh is depicted to King Ashoka.

b) The best examples of Buddhist stupas are found at: Amaravati (Andhra Pradesh), Sanchi (M.P), Barhut (M.P), Gaya (Bihar) & Dhamekh (U.P).

2) Chaitya – Prayer hall for Buddhist monks.

  3) Vihara  – Residence for monks.

Buddhist Councils

• The Buddhist monks met 4 times after the death of Buddha. buddhist councils ssc cgl

Buddhist Universities: