Buddhism Important Study Material For SSC PSC Exams

Buddhism is an Important topic under Indian Ancient History. One Question Related to Buddhism, Important Places and Monasteries of Buddhism can be asked

Buddhism is an important topic coming under Indian History > Ancient Indian History. While you are preparing for various SSC, Kerala PSC Examinations you can expect one question from Buddhism. It can be related Buddha or places related to Buddha or Monasteries of Buddhism. Below mentioned points are important related to Buddhism and questions were asked related to these topics previously.

• Gautama Buddha was the founder of Buddhism
• Buddha was known as Prince Siddhartha or Gautama ( he was brought up by his maternal aunt Prajapati Gautami )
• Also known as 'Light of Asia'
• He was born at Lumbini near Kapilavasthu (Present Nepal) in 563 BC
• Buddha's birthplace is known as Binla
• Died at Kusinagar, Uttar Pradesh in 483 BC
• Father : Suddhodhana (Chief of Sakya Clan)
• Mother : Mahamaya
• Wife : Yashodhara
• Son : Rahula
• Left his home at the age of 29 (Mahabhishkramana)
• Biography : Buddha Charitha written by Ashwa Gosha in Sanskrit
• Language used by Buddha - Pali

Enlightenment

• At the age of 35 ( after wandering for 7 years)
• Under a Pipal tree ( Now it is called Bodhi tree)
• On the banks of Niranjana River
• The place is known as Bodh Gaya
• The term Budha means ' The enlightened one'
• First Sermon at Deer Park in Saranath, Uttar Pradesh. It is called 'Dharmachakra-pravartana

Buddhism

• There are four noble truths for Buddhism Dukkha or Sorrow, Dukkha Samudaya or Cause of Sorrow, Dukkha Niroda or Prevention of Sorrow, Dukha Nirodha Gamini Payipada Magga or The path of prevention of Sorrow
• 8 fold path or Ashtangika Marga ( Right understanding, right thought, right speech, right action, Right livelihood, Right Effort, Right mindfulness, Right concentration)
• Divisions in Buddhism - Hinayana and Mahayana
• Chaityas - halls used for meditation and worship
• Viharas - halls used to rest by monks

Buddhist Councils

These four Buddhist Councils are Important

1st Buddhist Council in 483 BC at Rajgir (Bihar)

• King : Ajatashatru (Haryanka dynasty)
• Presided by : Mahakashyapa
• Vinaya Pitaka and Sutta Pitaka were formed

2nd Buddhist Council in 383 BC at Vaishali (Bihar)

• King : Kalashoka (Shishunaga dynasty)
• Presided by : Sabakami
• Sthavira and Mahasnahika Sects were formed

3rd Buddhist Council in 250 BC at Pataliputra (Patna)

• King : Ashoka (Mauryan Dynasty)
• Presided by : Mogliputta Tissa
• Abhidhamma Pitaka formed

4th Buddhist Council 72 AD at Kundalwan (Kashmir)

• King : Kanishka ( Kushana dynasty)
• Presided by : Vasumitra
• Hinayana and Mahayana sects were formed

Literatures of Buddhism (Tripitaka)

1. Vinaya Pitata (1st Buddhist Council) : Rules of the order of Buddhist monks, also known as Book of Discipline.
2. Sutta Pitaka ( 1st Buddhist Council) : Principles of religion. It is then divided into 5 groups called Nikayas ( Digha, Majjhima, Samyutta, Anguttara and Khuddaka)
3. Abhidhamma Pitaka ( 4th Buddhist Council) : Ethics, Psychology, theories of Knowledge

Important Buddhist Sites in India for SSC and PSC Exams

1. Mahabodhi Temple - Bodh Gaya of Bihar
2. Ajnata Caves - Maharashtra
3. Ellora Caves - Maharashtra
4. Elephanta Caves - Maharashtra
5. Sanchi Stupa (Motif on New 200 Rupee) - Madhya Pradesh
6. Nagarjunakonda - Andhra Pradesh

Important Buddhist Monasteries in India for SSC PSC Exams

1. Namdroling Monastery - Karnataka
2. Thiksay monastery - Jammu and Kashmir
3. Stakna Monastery - Jammu and Kashmir
4. Rumtek Monastery - Sikkim
5. Namgyal Monastery - Himachal Pradesh
6. Dhankar Gompa - Himachal Pradesh (In the split valley)
7. Key Monastery - Himachal Pradesh
8. Tawang Monastery - Arunachal Pradesh (Largest Monastery in India)
9. Ghum Monastery (Ghoosm) - Darjeeling , West Bengal