JAINISM AND BUDDHISM
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- 6th century was a period of intellectual awakening
- Existed to reformed the socio – religious organizations
- The aim of these religions is to remove the superstitious beliefs, unwanted religious rituals and the caste discrimination
- Gautama Buddha was the founder of Buddhism
JAINISM
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- In Jainism, 24 Tirthankaras were worshipped.
- The first Tirthankara was Adhinathar, who was known as Rishabadeva
- Vardhamana Mahavira is the last Tirthankara. (24th)
- Vardhamana Mahavira lived during B.C.534 – B.C.462
- His father was Siddhartha
- His mother was Trisala.
- Wife was Yasodha
- Performed penance for 12 years
- He treated both joy and sorrow equally
- Jian” which means the “Conqueror”
- People also called him as “Mahavira”.
- Why are people born? Why do they die? What are the causes for their sufferings?
- These were the important questions that arose in him
Previous birth
- Mahavira never accepted this
- Human beings are responsible for their own problems
Ahimsa
- Should not harm any
- Preached a restricted life
- Principles of ‘Ahimsa’ or ‘Non-Violence’
- Jains starved and subjected themselves to all bodily hardships.
Trade & Commerce
- Should not wage war or do agriculture.
- Trade and commerce was their occupation
Three Gems or Triratna
- Right Knowledge
- Right Knowledge
- Right Action
The Five Doctrines
- Ahimsa (Non-Violence
- Satya (Truth)
- Asatya (Non Stealing)
- Aprigraha (Non-possession)
- Brahmacharya (Celibacy
Kings who followed Jainism
- Chandragupta Maurya
- Kalingathu Karavelen
- Koon Pandian
- Mahendravarma Pallava I
Contribution of Jains to Tamil Literature:
- Sillapathigaram
- Chivgachinthamani,
- Literature and Grammar works
- Yapperungalaviruthi, Neminatham, Nannool, Agaporulvillakam, Naladiar, Nanmanikadikai, Pazhamozhi
Contribution of Jains to architecture:
- Rajasthan – Dilwara temple at Mount Abu
- Kajiraho – Chittoor, Ranakpur Temples of Jains
Sculpture
- Udaiyagiri
- Hathigumpa
- Girnar
- Saravanabelagola
- Kazhugumala
- The statue of Gomateswara at Shravanabelagola is at Karnataka
BUDDHISM
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- Gautama Buddha was the founder of Buddhism
- Original name was Siddhartha
- Lived during 563 B.C. – 483 B.C
- Born at Kapilavastu in Nepal
- Father, Suddhodhana belonged to the Sakya dynasty
- Mother, Mayadevi died at the seventh day of his birth
- Got married at the age of 16
- Siddhartha, who was enlightened under a pipal tree at Gaya became Buddha.
- The meaning of the word ‘Buddha’ is a person who knows what is good, what is bad and what is suffering.
Principles
- Life is full of miseries
- We should strive to overcome the sorrows by not being greedy
- Not telling lies and not harming others.
- Right speech and right livelihood
- Opposed caste discrimination
- Buddha’s principles on suffering are the Four Noble Truths
- The principles on conduct are the ‘Eight Fold Paths
The Four Noble Truths are
- Life is full of sorrow
- Desire is the cause of sorrow
- Sorrow can be ended by giving up desire
- The eightfold path is the way to end sorrow
Eight – Fold Paths to overcome desire:
- Right belief
- Right speech
- Right living
- Right effort
- Right thought
- Right action
- Right meditation
Buddhist monks
- The organization of the monks was called as ‘Sangam’
- The most important followers among King was Ashoka.
Jainism and Buddhism were at their zenith till the 6th century. Buddhism split into Hinayana and Mahayana
Hinayana
- Accepted Buddha’s principles. No idol worship
Mahayana
- Worshipped Buddha as God. Idol worship
- Even today Buddhism is followed in Ceylon, Burma, Tibet, China, Japan and Thailand.
- The kings who followed Buddhism, Ashoka, Kanishka and Harsha
Historical Monuments
- The Jataka tales describes the history of Buddhism
- The Jataka stories are depicted at Gaya, Sanchi and Bur cut
- Anantha and Ellora Cave paintings, which are in Aurangabad at Maharastra describe the fame of Buddha
- Gandhara art also belongs to Buddhism
- The prayer halls of the Buddhist monks are called Chaityas
- Their monasteries are called Viharas
- They are of rock cut structures
Literature
The Buddhist religious texts are called Tripitakas.
- Vinaya Pitaka
- Sutta Pitaka
- Abhidhamma Pitaka
Manimekalai and Kundalakesi are Buddhist literature.
The books written by Jain monks
- Sillapathikaram, Nannool (Grammar)
- Chivagacinthamani; Vallayapathi (Literature)
- Religious text: Angas and Purvas.
Mahavamsa
A book of Sri Lanka says that Tripitakas was written during the reign of Vattakkamini Abayan
In Pali language it is called as Tripitakas which means three baskets.