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MDC CIA 2 (1) Final+ Anjana
MDC CIA 2 (1) Final+ Anjana
Anjana Ashwin
(2334516)
Submitted to,
Siddhartha’s tendencies towards spirituality were evident from his childhood. As per an old
folktale, Siddhartha Gautama is believed to have been conceived when his mother dreamt of a
white elephant with six tusks (image 1) piercing her womb. This elephant is believed to be a
symbol of the Buddha. When Siddhartha was born, the King and Queen took him to the great sage
Asita who predicted that he would either be a “king of kings” or a great sage. A week after his
birth, the Queen passed away. His father wanted to ensure that Siddhartha became a “king of kings”
and not a sage, but he became concerned as Siddhartha would spend most of his time alone, under
the Jamba tree. Siddhartha grew to be a compassionate child. Unlike the other Kshatriya princes,
he was against harming other life forms and hence was considered incapable as a fighter. He
proved this statement wrong when he exceeded expectations in the test held by Dandapani to win
his daughter, Yashodhara’s hand in marriage. They eventually got married and a son was born to
them. One day, during his rounds of the kingdom, Siddhartha was perturbed by the sights of an
old man, a diseased man, and a dead man. On his way back to the kingdom, he saw a sage with an
extremely calm demeanor. This piqued his interest. He thus learned that everything about the world
as he knew it was changing, and he sought a way out of this sorrow. He then traveled to the
kingdom of Magadha (which at the moment was under the rule of King Bimbisara). Siddhartha
went to Rajagriha in search of the great sages of those days, but unable to find his answers, he
went to the thick jungles of Urubilva, near Gaya today. He took abode under a Bodhi tree and
refused to move from there until he found the answer to end the sorrows of the world - to find the
truth. It is believed that he then saw light and became enlightened - he was now Gautama Buddha
(image 2). After spending seven weeks in a state of perfect happiness, he went out into the world
to teach what he had learned. He first went to Banaras to teach the five ascetics who had been with
him in Urubilva. These five eventually became his disciples.
The accounts of his search assume the Jain tradition since Gautama was once a follower of extreme
austerity and came dangerously close to starvation. However, he concluded that self-torture
weakens the mind and does not lead to enlightenment. As a result, he adopted a gentler kind of
renunciation and focused on practicing advanced meditation techniques.
Through the years, Buddhism has propagated to other parts of the world and has in the process
acquired certain region-specific modifications. In Tibet, Mahayana Buddhism came to be known
as Llamism. In Nepal, In Ceylon, its observations are mixed with demon worship. In China and
Japan, it has undergone further modifications due to existing religions before this. In China, there
was the religion of Confucious, Fo, and Taoism.
The Chinese modification of Buddhism is a commixture of Hindu Buddhism and the pre-existing
three religions via assimilation rather than absorption. It varies from Hindu Buddhism in terms of
its understanding of nirvana. While Hindu Buddhism believed Nirvana to be “absorption into the
essence”, Chinese Buddhism believed it was the elimination of ignorance. To them, nirvana was
a contemplation and was not a progression, but a repose for the soul. In Japan, Buddhism is largely
derived from Chinese Buddhism. However, it did face strong opposition from the native Shinto
religion during the Meiji Period.
Culture
For many years, Indian royalty and merchants supported Buddhist monasteries and built stunning,
hemispherical stone buildings known as stupas (image 3) over the Buddha's relics as a sign of
respect for his memory. Archaeology has demonstrated the enormous influence of Buddhist
iconography, art, and building in India from the 1840s. Up to the thirteenth century, the monastic
complex at Nalanda in Bihar, which was reduced to ruins in 1993, served as a global hub for
Buddhist philosophy and religion. However, during the thirteenth century, when the last of the
plains' monasteries was destroyed by Turkish invaders.
Buddhists believe in the existence of multiple heavens, each differing in glory and of course, hell.
The world of form consists of eighteen heavens, the world of desire has six heavens, and the world
of formlessness has four heavens. These are listed in ascending order. The quality of these heavens
is determined by their elevation. Samsara refers to the cycle of rebirth, mundane existence, and
death - which occurs in six realms, three good and three evil.
There are two main schools of Buddhism: Mahayana Buddhism, which is a later development and
is practiced by laypeople, and Theraveda Buddhism, which is older and more conservative and is
practiced by monks in India who claim an exclusive understanding of its concepts. Most Western
studies focus on the Theraveda canon, which has been fully translated into English. Worldwide,
Mahayana Buddhism is the most widely practiced and has the greatest number of followers. The
Vajrayana, also known as the "Way of the Lightning Bolt," is a branch of Mahayana (Great Path)
Buddhism that originated after the seventh century A.D. and is practiced by Tibetan refugees and
Himalayan communities. The Vajrayana places a strong emphasis on the intercession of
bodhisattvas, or enlightened beings, who stay in this world to assist others on the path while
maintaining the basic value of individual spiritual growth. The Himalayan kingdoms up until the
20th century maintained a social system in which Buddhist monks—some of whom were born as
bodhisattvas—held the highest ranks.
The sacred languages were Pali and Prakrit. Buddhist priests are expected to renounce the material
world, live off alms (in kind), be clad in robes and tonsure, and devote themselves to meditation.
Buddhas are beings who descend to this world from time to time to rescue imprisoned souls from
nature and finitude. These Buddhas are stated to have undergone multiple transmigrations and
acquired an increased degree of merit in each till their last incarnation - where they achieve such
a degree of purity - thus entitling them to become teachers of mankind - to show them the path to
ultimate bliss. Their teachings were recorded in literature and were called Banas, or preachings.
It is believed that 24 Buddhas (image 4) existed before the birth of Gautama Buddha - he is the
last of this series and his systems will continue for 5000 years, after which another Buddha will be
born (as per the beliefs of Buddhism).
Gautama Buddha is considered the highest spiritual representative of this Buddhist philosophy. He
is reverenced as a glorified remembrance of these virtues that aim to support and guide the spiritual
struggles and aspirations of mankind.
Buddhist texts are works of religion that are related to or part of the Buddhist tradition. Buddhism
is not contained in a single textual collection. Rather, there are three primary Buddhist canons: the
Tibetan Buddhist canon, which is used in Indo-Tibetan Buddhism, the Chinese Buddhist canon,
which is used in East Asian Buddhism, and the Pāli Canon of the Theravāda branch. Tripiṭaka,
which means "three baskets" in Sanskrit, is the term used to refer to the Buddhist canon. It took
several centuries after Gautama Buddha's passing for the earliest Buddhist writings to be
composed. An additional collection of lore, which includes encounters with the Buddha, is
contained in a collection of books known as the “Jataka Tales”.
Idol worship began in China with the advent of Buddhism as the doctrine of humanity being the
transition between organic life and primal essence took such a hold on the Chinese minds that they
started worshiping images of the Buddha. This idol worship may be traced to the Mongol
inhabitants in China who focused on “petty detailing”. Image worship began a century before the
Christian era, a large gilt figure is reported to have been brought to China from central Asia. In
subsequent ages, this practice increased and was encouraged by emperors. Today, it is shunned.
Another point of difference from Orthodox Buddhists was that killing animals isn't considered a
sin among Chinese Buddhists. They eat meat and also sacrifice animals on occasion. Buddha was
given the name Fo, in China, thus the kind of Buddhism practiced in China is called Foism.
(because the same symbol was pronounced as Fut and But (Buddha) depending on the dialect.
Jainism
Following the teachings of the guru Parshvanatha, for 12 years, he endured hunger, thirst, harsh
weather, and harsh treatment from locals who thought he was a beggar. Yet he stayed composed
and persevered to find his truth. Finally, at the banks of the Rijuwalika river, near the Parshvanath
Hills, he attained enlightenment or “Kevala Jnana” (complete knowledge). He became a Jina.
(image 7) He is believed to be the 24th and the last of the Tirthankaras (Ford makers). (image 8)
Core teachings
The very first principle he laid down, or his foundational teaching was Ahimsa, or nonviolence -
that one should not harm or hurt any living beings in thought or action. Mahavira taught that one
must possess the three jewels: Right belief, Right conduct, and Right knowledge. Under “Right
belief”, Jainism has these principles: Jiva, Ajiva, Asrava, Bandha, Samvara, Nirjara, and Moksha.
Under Right conduct, it enlists the Mahavrttas or “Big Vows” of Ahimsa (nonviolence), Satya
(speaking the truth), Asteya( refraining from thievery and falsehood), Brahmacharya (chastity),
and aparigraha (nonpossession). Jainism also believes in “Anekantavada”, which means that
reality is complex and no single statement can describe the entirety of the reality or truth. Jain
monks take on the Big Vows, or the Mahavrttas (mentioned above) while the other practitioners
of Jainism take on the Anuvrttas, the simpler vows: to abstain from violence, falsehood, and
stealing; to limit one’s possessions and to be content with one’s own life. The beliefs of the Jain
system lie based on the workings of karma and its effects on the living while also incorporating
the conditions to be followed for the soul’s release. According to Jain philosophy, the soul is a
living substance that accumulates particles of nonliving matter through action, which ultimately
determines its fate. As per this, any action has consequences that cause accumulation of such
matter but the worst accumulations of matter come from violence against other living beings. The
basis of Jain discipline lies in complete inactivity, preventing attachment, and absolute
nonviolence (ahimsa). The final goal is “extinguishing of the self” or eliminating the individual
form (nirvana).
Culture
By the first century A.D, the Jain community evolved into two main divisions: the Digambaras
(“sky-clad” monks who owned no clothes nor material possessions, and collected donated food in
their hands, and Svetambaras (“white-clad” monks and nuns who wore white robes and carry
bowls for donated food). While the Dhigambaras don't accept the possibility of women achieving
liberation, the Svetambaras do. Jainism spread across north and south India. In the 1990s, there
were around 7 million Jains, mainly in Maharashtra, Rajasthan, and Gujarat (Svethambaras).
Karnataka held a sizable community of Digambaras. (image 9)
The Jain community practices a lot of ritual activities ( including sacramental rituals) that resemble
Hindu traditions. They practice a form of idol/image worship where particular shrines house the
images of the Thirthankaras, who are not worshipped but are remembered or revered. They may
also worship local deities and celebrate local festivals as long as they do not compromise on their
fundamental devotion to the path of the Jinas. There are five main Jain festivals and each of them
celebrates the conception, birth, renunciation, enlightenment, and final release of Mahavira.
Jainism and Buddhism now
The Jain community, with its extensive textual legacy and money acquired via trade, is well-known
for its charity, particularly its support of education and learning, in addition to its opulent shrine
patronage. Most large cities have prestigious Jain schools. There are significant Jains in Gujarat
and Madhya Pradesh, but the biggest concentrations are in Maharashtra (almost 563,000) and
Rajasthan (nearly 965,000).
In the thirty years that he preached as a Jina, he succeeded in propagating Jainism to most of the
powerful states of Northern India, while his teachings still spread to the South. The inclusiveness
of his teachings was what helped popularize Jainism.
Jainism records the largest number of nuns in history and to date, many people undergo a ritual
called “Dhiksha”(image 10), where they renounce the world and continue their life as monks/nuns.
The religion with its emphasis on nonviolence and respecting fellow beings, has helped raise
While Jainism did appeal to many sections of Indian society, its strict rules made it slightly
inaccessible to individuals from other parts of the world. Buddhism on the other hand, turned out
to be more accessible to individuals from other cultures because of the relatively lenient structure
that they have. (for example: Gautama Buddha believed that one could attain enlightenment if well
fed and focused on the right kind of meditation, rather than depriving the body of nutrition).
Today, Buddhism has majorly contributed to the world of psychology by spreading awareness
about practices such as meditation and mindfulness. It has also contributed to defending oppressed
classes from the injustice of the caste system. To date, many individuals have converted to
Buddhism to escape the Varna or caste system in India.
Jainism and Buddhism are now such strong monastic religions because of the foundational
teachings of Mahavira and Gautama Buddha respectively.
Images
1)
White elephant
2)
Siddhartha
Source: https://oneminddharma.com/siddhartha/
3)
5)
Buddhism in China
Source: https://www.pulse.ng/bi/politics/inside-shaolin-monastery-the-
home-of-kung-fu-and-zen-buddhism-where-thousands-of-boys/0gn54pn
6)
Buddhism in Japan
Source: https://www.businessinsider.in/24-photos-that-will-make-you-
want-to-visit-Japan/The-Daigoji-temple-in-Kyoto-a-temple-of-the-
Shingon-sect-of-Japanese-Buddhism-is-a-designated-world-heritage-
site-and-a-favorite-destination-to-visit-in-the-autumn-when-the-leaves-
offer-an-array-of-vibrant-colors-/slideshow/47507339.cms
7)
8)
10)