E-LESSON-7 HISTORY-1

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B.A.English 2 All right are reserved with CU-IDOL HISTORY-I Course Code: BAQ111 Semester: First SLM Unit : 7 E-Lesson: 7 www.cuidol.in Unit-7(BAQ111)

HISTORY-I OBJECTIVES INTRODUCTION 33 After studying this unit, you will be able to: Gautama Buddha strove to save Describe the origin of Buddhism. the millions of people groaning under the yoke of Brahmanical monopoly Analyse the early life of Buddha www.cuidol.in Unit-7(BAQQ111)1) INASlTl ITriUgThEt OarFeDrIeSsTeArNvCeEd AwNitDh OCNUL-IIDNOE LLEARNING

TOPICS TO BE COVERED 4 > Gautama's Early Life HISTORY-I > Teachings of Buddha > Influence of Buddhism https://aajtak.intoday.in/education/story/bodhiday-10-must-read-life-lessons-from- buddha-to-get- www.cuidol.in Unit-7(BAQ111) All right are reserved with CU-IDOL

GAUTAMA'S EARLY LIFE 5  Education The text, 'Lalitavistara', speaks of Gautam's education. In the palace, he was given education on a variety of fields. Archery, swordsmanship, horse-riding were also avenues in which he excelled himself with credit during his training  Marriage Surprisingly however, Gautama showed no interest in governance, after completing his education. A perplexed Suddhodana thought of transforming the mind of the indifferent prince by providing for him all grandeur and comforts. https://www.fizdi.com/gautam-buddha-art_1462_11944-handpainted-ar www.cuidol.in Unit-7(BAQ111) All right are reserved with CU-IDOL

GAUTAMA'S EARLY LIFE 6 Four Scenes and Change of Gautama A great change came over the pensive prince through four scenes, he came across in course of his wanderings on his chariot through the lanes of Kapilavastu in the company of his charioteer Chhanna (Chhandak).  Great Renunciation Birth of a son hardly pleased Gautama. He regarded the new- born son as an obstacle on his decision to renounce the world and take on the life of a sanyasi or sage. https://www.vridhamma.org/Gotama-the-Buddha www.cuidol.in Unit-7(BAQ111) All right are reserved with CU-IDOL

TEACHINGS OF BUDDHA 7 They are Dukkha, Samudaya, Nirodha and Marga. Dukkha: Man’s life is full of Dukkha. To him life is sorrowful because of miseries and sufferings. Death is sorrow. Contact with the pleasant is sorrow. Every wish unfulfilled is sorrow. Samudaya: (Reason of Dukkha) - Kamana is the root of Dukkha. Kamana i.e. desire for long life, sensual pleasure, power etc. leads to Dukkha. Nirodha: (how can be checked) : Dukkha can be checked by checking kamana. Magga (Way): He suggested eight noble fold paths to check Kamana that leads to Dukkha. These eight fold paths are;- Right Knowledge, Right Views, Right Action, Right Living, Right Efforts, Right mindfulness, Right contemplation. Ten Principles: Not to speak lie, Not to theft, not to Indulge in sexual intercourse, not to covet, not to practice violence, not to use flower and scents, not to sing and dance, not to associate with women, not to eat at forbidden times and not to sleep on soft bed. www.cuidol.in Unit-7(BAQ111) All right are reserved with CU-IDOL

What is Nirvana: It is a state of enlightenment where there is neither birth nor death. That is complete 8 extinction of desires and extinction from cyclic order of birth and death. In Buddhism it is attained in this world, not after death. Theory of Karma: To him no sacrifice or prayer can wash away sin. A man reaps what he sows. No god or goddess can change it. He can’t escape the consequences of his deeds. To reap the fruits of his deeds he is born again and again. He is, thus, the maker of his own fortune and miseries. One is one’s master and savior also. Belief in Rebirth: He believed that man births again and again because of his desire and pride. When a person is enlightened he desires nothing else. Nature of Buddhism: Buddhism follows a code of conducts for the moral upliftment of the human beings which are simple, practical and open to all irrespective of caste creeds and color.To many “it was a synthesis between Vedic and Jaina religions”. www.cuidol.in Unit-7(BAQ111) All right are reserved with CU-IDOL

INFLUENCE OF BUDDHISM 9  Social Influence  Social harmony: Buddha’s teachings were against the caste system and thus developed a sense social harmony.  Development of new sub-castes: The irony was that after the fall of Buddhism most of the followers accepted Hinduism and thus many new sub-castes came into existence.  Food habit: Buddhism brought a tremendous change in food habit of Indians because the followers mostly became vegetarians  Social Service: Buddha said,” Whoever, 0' monks serves me, should serve the sick’. It thus promoted a spirit of generosity to words the weak, seek and poor.  Moral Upliftment: Buddhism based on the principle of morality. When the principles gain popularity the people led a life of purity and chastity Unit-7(BAQ111) All right are reserved with CU-IDOL www.cuidol.in

 Political Influence 10  National Unity: It nourished national unity and national feeling among the Indians.  Universal Peace: Buddhism preached universal peace, which had its greater impact on Asoka.  Benevolent Kings: Buddhism inspired the kings like Asoka, Kanishka and Harshavardhan to inculcate high ideals.  Relation with Foreign Countries: Buddhism was a missionary religion which traversed to various countries of Asia and Europe and thus encouraged a socio-cultural, political and  commercial relationship with those countries.  Sources of History: Though the innumerable Buddhist literature are of religious in contents yet it could throw a flood of light on the political and cultural history of the then India.  Destroyed the martial spirit of the royal army: To many the non-violence principle of Buddhism proved too fatal for the ancient rulers. Unit-7(BAQ111) All right are reserved with CU-IDOL www.cuidol.in

Key Words/Abbreviations 11  Buddhism:- Buddhism encompasses a variety of traditions, beliefs and spiritual practices largely based on original teachings attributed to the Buddha and resulting interpreted philosophies  Gautama:- Siddhartha Gautama (also known as the Buddha “the awakened one”) was the leader and founder of a sect of wanderer ascetics (Sramanas), one of many sects which existed at that time all over India.  Philosophy:- the study of the fundamental nature of knowledge, reality, and existence, especially when considered as an academic discipline  Buddhism:- Buddhism encompasses a variety of traditions, beliefs and spiritual practices largely based on original teachings attributed to the Buddha and resulting interpreted philosophies. www.cuidol.in Unit-7(BAQ111) All right are reserved with CU-IDOL

LEARNING ACTIVITY 12 1. Discuss the influence of Buddhism on Indian culture ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2. Write a short note on the Buddhist literature ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- www.cuidol.in Unit-7(BAQ111) All right are reserved with CU-IDOL

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS 1. Who was Ananda? 13 (a) Disciple of Buddha (c) Minister (b) King (d) Buddha’s son 2. Gautam Buddha died at (b) Patna (a) Nepal (d) Kushi Nagar (c) Madhayapradesh 3. Dukkha, Samudaya, Nirodha and Marga…………… a) Teaching of Budha (b) Philosophy of Jainism c) Teaching of Jainism (d) Both a and b Answers: 1.(a) 2.(d) 3.(a) www.cuidol.in Unit-7(BAQ111) All right are reserved with CU-IDOL

SUMMARY 14 • Gautam Buddha strongly condemned the caste system. • He asserted that the high or low birth of a person depended on his Karmas. • He insisted on doing away with all caste distinctions and permitted one type of distinction viz. distinction based on Karmas or Deeds. • After the death of Gautama Buddha, the First Buddhist Council was held in 487 B.C. at Rajgriha (in the Satapani • Cave), the capital of Magadha. • About five hundred members attended the council. • The aim of the council was to compile the Dharma and Vinaya. www.cuidol.in Unit-7(BAQ111) All right are reserved with CU-IDOL

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS 15 1. What was condemned by Gautam Buddha? (For more information see SLM) Ans: Gautam Buddha strongly condemned the caste system. 2. After the death of Buddha, when was the first council held ? (For more information see SLM) Ans: After the death of Gautama Buddha, the First Buddhist Council was held in 487 B.C. at Rajgriha (in the Satapani Cave), the capital of Magadha. 3. Who were against the caste system? (For more information see SLM) Ans: Both Jainism and Buddhism are against the caste-system. www.cuidol.in Unit-7(BAQ111) All right are reserved with CU-IDOL

References 16  Tripathi, R.S. (2016). Prachin Bharat Ka Itihas : Seventh Edition. Jaipur: Royal Publication.  V.C. Pandey(1986). Political and Cultural History of Ancient India-Part I, Allahabad: Vishal Publication.  Mookerji, R.N. (1947). Ancient India. Delhi: Motilal Banarsi Das PublishersPvt. Ltd..  Basham, A.L.(1967). The Wonder that was India. London: Arthur Probsthain.  Davies, C.C. (1949). An Historical Atlas of Indian Peninsula. India: Oxford University Press  Majumdar, R.C. (2017). Ancient India. Delhi: Motilal Banarsilal Publishers Pvt. Ltd.  Dhillon, S.K. (1991). Religious History of Early Medieval Punjab. Punjab: National Book Organisation. Web Resources  https://www.ancient.eu/india/  https://www.culturalindia.net/india-history/ancient-india/index.html www.cuidol.in Unit-7(BAQ111) All right are reserved with CU-IDOL

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