HISTORY OF BUDDHISM

AND BUDDHIST ART

Mr . N O J K U M A R
BY- MA
PGT(History ),
AL T L A K E K O L KATA
K.V. NO -2 S
SIXTEEN MAHAJANAPADAS
IN THE AGE OF BUDDHA
SECOND URBANIZATION AND NEW
ECONOMY (6TH to 3rd century BCE)
 EMERGENCE OF TOWNS
 SPECIALIZATION OF CRAFTS
 RISE OF GUILDS (SHRENIS)
 COINAGE
 TRADE
 WRITING SYSTEMS
BUDDHISM
Buddhism is a family of
beliefs and practices
considered by most to be a
religion and is based on the
teachings attributed to
Siddhartha Gautama,
commonly known as "The
Buddha" (the Awakened
One), who was born in what
is today Nepal. He lived and
taught in the northeastern
region of India and most likely
died around 400 BCE.
GAUTAM BUDDHA-The
Founder of Buddhism
Life of Gautam Buddha

 Birth - 567 B.C in Lumbini

( near Kapilbastu,Nepal ).
 Death – 487 B.C in Kushi Nagar

Deoria Uttar Pradesh.

 Father’s name – King

Sudhodhan
 Mother’s name - Mahamaya
Main Events
 Janam (birth) : 567 BCE
 Mahabhiniskraman – Learning of the

house in search of knowledge in 29th

year of the age.
 Sambodhi – Attainment of the divine

knowledge Bodhgaya Bihar.

 Dharmachakrapravartan – First

sermon to 5 disciple at Sarnath U.P.

 Mahaparinirvan – Death: 487 BCE
Main Teachings
(a) Four noble truth :
(i) The world is full of miseries.
(ii) The main cause of sorrow and
misery is desire.  चार आर्य सत्य:
(iii) Misery and sorrow can be
averted by controlling Trishna i.e
desire. 1.दुख
(iv) The desire can be suppressed or
killed by following the Eight – fold
path.
2. दुख समुदय

3. दुख निरोध

4. दुख निरोध मार्ग

 (b) Eight – fold path
आष्टंगिक मार्ग:
(i) Right knowledge.
1. सम्यकज्ञान
(ii) Right vision.
2. सम्यक दृष्टि
(iii) Right speech. 3. सम्यक कर्म
(iv) Right action. 4. सम्यक संकल्प
(v) Right living. 5. सम्यक व्यायाम
(vi) Right efforts. 6. सम्यक उद्यम
(vii) Right memory. 7. सम्यक स्मॄति
(viii) Right meditation. 8. सम्यक ध्यान
पंच महाव्रत 5 vows
1.NON
1.अहिंसा VIOLENCE
2. TRUTH
2. सत्य 3.AWAY FROM
3.अस्तेय STEALING
4.CELEBACAY
4.ब्रह्मचर्य 5. AWAY FROM
COLLECTION
5.अपरिग्रह
 (c) Prominence to character :
(i) Speaking the truth.
(ii) No theft.
(iii) To follow Brahmacharya.
(iv) Not to collect anything.
(v) To practice Ahimsa.
(vi) Not to use flowers and scents.
(vii) Not to sing and dance.
(viii) Not to associate with women.
(ix) Not to eat at forbidden times.
(x) Not to sleep on soft beds.
(d) Other Teachings :अन्य शिक्षाएँ:
(i) Belief in Karma 1.कर्म सिदधांत में विश्वास
Theory. 2.मूर्तिपूजा में अविश्वास
(ii) Rejection of 3.ईश्वर में अविश्वास
Idol Worship.
4.जाति प्रथा को नकारना
(iii) Non believer of
God
(iv) Rejection of
Caste System
WORLD VIEW OF BUDDHISM
FORMS OF EXPRESSING THE IDEAS-
Art & architecture

BUDDHIST ART

Gandhara Style Mathura Style

 Gandharan style

Meditating Buddha,
from Gandhara,
Pakistan, second
century CE. Gray
schist, 3’ 7 1/2” high.
National Museums of
Scotland.

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Gandharan style
1. Inspired by Western art
from the Roman Empire
2. Naturalized form –
muscle definition, wavy
hair, heavy drapery folds
3. Emphasis on physical
beauty (reflected spiritual
beauty)
4. Deeper relief used to
create shadows and details

Figure - Standing Bodhisattva, Buddhist,

2nd century, schist; 41” x 16 1/2 “ x 9”.
Asian Art Museum of San Francisco.
 Mathuran style

Buddha seated
on lion throne,
from Mathura, India,
second century CE.
Red sandstone, 2’ 3
1/2” high.
Archaeological
Museum, Muttra.

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Mathuran style

1.Muscles depicted as
smooth, flat planes
2. Chest expanded like
a balloon
3. Thin, linear drapery
folds
4. Indigenous style of
India
5. Lower relief creates
little shadow and
barely-visible details
Figure - Standing Buddha, Buddhist, 2nd
century, sandstone
Buddhas are often depicted in the same
way, despite being created over
thousands of years and thousands of
miles away:
Seated, usually posed in a lotus position
with balls of the feet straight up

Elongated ears, generally frontal,

symmetrical and have a nimbus, or halo.

Helpers known as bodhisattvas are

usually near the Buddha, sometimes
attached to the nimbus.
Buddha has many moods, but is often
depicted in a calm, meditative look. His
actions and feelings are usually
conveyed through hand gestures called
mudras.

The head has a top knot, or ushnisha,

with tight-fitting curls.

A predella can feature images of

donors or teachings from his life
Buildings & Monuments

Buildings

Stupa Chitya Viharas

THE STUPA

The stupa is the most characteristic

monument of Buddhist India.
Originally stupas were mounds
covering the relics of the Buddha or
his followers. In its earliest stages
Buddhist art didn't represent the
Buddha directly. Instead, his
presence was alluded to through
symbols such as the bo tree, the
wheel of law or his footprint. The
stupa also became a symbol of the
Budha.
Diagram (top) and view from the south (bottom) of the Great
Stupa, Sanchi, India, third century BCE to first century CE
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The Great Stupa, 3rd Century BCE, Sanchi, India. BUDDHISM
Carved decoration of the Northern
gateway to the Great Stupa of Sanchi
A torii is a traditional Japanese gate commonly found at
the entry to a Shinto shrine, although it can be found at
Buddhist temples as well. It has two upright supports
and two crossbars on the top, and is frequently painted
vermilion. Some torii have tablets with writing mounted
between the crossbars. Traditionally, torii are made of
wood or stone, but makers have started to use steel and
even stainless steel. Torii mark the transition from the
sacred world to the normal, profane world.
The structure of Sanchi Stupa

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Interior of the chaitya
hall, Karle, India, ca.
50 CE.

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Evaluation-
 Q1- How many schools of Philosophy were in
6th cent. BC India?
 Q2- Who Founded Buddhist Religion?
 Q3- Who was the founder of Jain Religion?
 Q4- how far we are correct when we say the

6th cent. BC is the “turning Point” of the Indian

History?
 Q5-name the two style of Buddhist Art .
Thank You
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