Buddhism

INTRODUCTION #

The rise and growth of Buddhism in India and other nations centered around the life and teachings of Gautama Buddha. The simplicity of the concepts, the preachings of Buddhism via Pali, the language of the commoners and initial lack of rituals and any other complex procedures, made Buddhism a great attraction among some ruling elites, business class and lower castes Hindus. This led to the decline of the Brahmanical traditions and to the prestige of the Hindu priestly class. Buddhism was patronizes as state religion by numerous rulers and dynasties throughout India and East and South-East Asian nations.

Buddha hood in Sanskrit is Buddhatva. In Pali, it is called Buddhatta or buddhabhâva. It is the state of perfect enlightment attained by a Buddha. The perfect enlightment is sammâsambodhi in Pali. This refers to the universal and innate property of absolute wisdom. Buddhism gave the greatest shock to Vedic religion in those times. The Buddhavamsa mentions 29 Buddhas in all. The 27 Buddhas, preceded Gautam Buddha and Maitreya, the 29th Buddha is next to come in future. Gautam Buddha was 28th Buddha. The Buddhavamsa related that in the present Kalpa, there are 5 Buddhas.

• Kakusandha.
• Konagamana.
• Kassapa.
• Gautama.
• Maitreya.

The fifth Maitreya is a future Buddha. The first among these 5 Buddhas of the present Kalpa

is Kakusandha. Kakusandha is mentioned in the Sanskrit Buddhist texts as Krakucchanda. In Tibet he is known as Khorvadjig. He was born in Nepal, near Kapilvastu. He attained enlightment under a Sirisa tree. The second Buddha of the present Kalpa was Konagamana. Third Buddha was Kassapa. In Sanskrit Buddhist texts, he is known as Kasyapa. He was also born in Nepal and attained enlightment under a Banyan Tree.

LIFE OF GAUTAM BUDDHA #

Gautam Buddha founded Buddhism and is known as Supreme Buddha or ‘Sammâsambuddha’ or ‘Samyaksam’buddha. He was born in Lumbini, a little principality of Kapilvastu in modern day Nepal. His childhood name was Siddhartha. He was son of Shuddodhana, a leader of the Shakya clan. The capital of this Sakya clan was Kapilvastu and it was not a monarchy but a sort of Republic. Queen Mahamaya was the name of mother of Gautam Bud- dha. Hathras district of Uttar Pradesh was renamed as “Mahamaya Nagar”, after Buddha’s mother.The birth of Buddha is celebrated as Vesak in some countries. In India, it is Buddha Purnima.

Queen Mahamaya died soon after his birth and Maha Prajapati or Prajapati Gautami raised him. He was a prince so he had lived his early childhood in luxury. His father wished him to be a great king and so he was shielded from the religious teachings or human sufferings. However, as a child Gautama used to be absorbed in philosophical musings. He got married at the age of 16 with Yashodhara. She gave birth to a Son, Rahula. At the age of 29, while going to meet his subjects he encountered human sufferings such as old age, death and diseases. He used to ask his charioteer Channa about these suf-

ferings. He was deeply depressed by the truth that human life is momentary and one has to suffer a lot. He left his home at the age of 29 years, so that he could overcome old age, illness and death by living a life of an ascetic. This is called “the great departure’ or Mahabhinishkramana.

He first went to Rajgriha or Rajgir. He started begging alms over there and living life of an ascetic. The King Bimbisara after a request from Shuddodhana, launched a search and Siddhartha was recognized by the men of Bimbisara. Bimbisara offered him a throne, but Gautama refused. He left Rajgir but promised Bimbisara to visit his capital Magadha, later. Siddartha studied under two hermits Alara and Udaka. He achieved high knowledge and was asked to succeed Udaka, but he was not satisfied with the path and his goal so he refused.

The experiments with the life of ascetics could not bring desired fruits for Gautama. He left the Udaka, and moved on with 5 companions who were led by Kaundinya. They set out for more austerity. They tried enlightment through total deprivation of possessions including food. This led him to starving near death condition, and one day he collapsed into a river and almost drowned. This led him to reconsider the path. He started moving away from ascetics and moving closer to meditating and this is called the Middle Path, the path of having oneself away from extreme self-indulgence and extreme self-mortifi- cation. He accepted milk and rice pudding from a village girl called Sujata.

While meditating under a Pipal tree on the bank of river Niranjana at Gaya, he came across the desired truth, at the age of 35 years and after 49 days of meditating. He was now called Buddha or “Shakyamuni Buddha” which means the Buddha of Shakya Clan.

The first disciples of Buddha after becoming enlightened were two merchants named Tapussa and Bhallika. After becoming enlightened, he sought to find his former teachers Arada and Udaka to teach them, but they had died. He then looked for Kaun- dinya and other companions.

Gautama Buddha now preached his first sermon which deals with the Four Noble Truths and the Noble Eightfold Path, the core pillars of Buddhist teaching regarding the intrinsic suffering of existence

and how to deal with it. This was called Dharma Chakra Pravartana Sutta. Kaundinya & 4 others became the first human beings to be taught Buddha’s teaching and become an arhat (spiritual practitioner). This event took place at Deer Park near Varanasi.

Two gems of Buddhism viz. Buddha and Dhamma were now ready. The five disciples and Buddha formed the first union of Buddhism, which is called Sangha. So, with the formation of a Sangha, the three gems of Buddhism (Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha) were completed. The remaining years of life, Buddha travelled many parts of the country, established the Sangha, and propagated his teach- ings. Thousands of people joined Sangha and these Sanghas spread in many parts. As promised previously Buddha now travelled to Magadha, the capital of King Bimbisara. During this visit Sariputta(who later founded Theravada tradition) and Mahamoggallana became Buddha’s disciples. Sariputta, Mahamoggallana, Mahakasyapa, Ananda and Anuruddha comprised the five chief disciples. His ten foremost disciples were completed by the quintet of Upali, Subhoti, Rahula, Mahakaccana and Punna. Rahula was his son, who became disciple at the age of 7. Buddha’s Maha parinirvana a happened at Khushinagar at the age of 80 years.

THE BASICS OF BUDDHISM #

Four Noble Truths #

Buddha in Dharma Chakra Pravartana taught four noble truths. They are the core teachings of Buddhism.

• Dukkha or “Sorrow”: The world is full of sorrow and everything from birth to death brings sorrows in life.
• Dukkha Samudaya or Cause of Sorrow: The cause of sorrows is ‘desire’. It is the un-fulfillment of human desires which leads him to the vicious cycle of births and rebirths.
• Dukkha Nirodha or Prevention of Sorrow: It is possible to prevent sorrow. Man can get rid of sorrow by triumphing over the desires.
• Dukkha Nirodha Gamini Patipada Magga or The path of Prevention of Sorrow: Man can avoid Dukkha by avoiding extremes of life and following middle path or Madhyam

Patipada. The life of moderation and self control along with pursuance of 8 fold path is essential to prevent the Dukkha.

Eight Fold Path or Astangika marg #

The eight fold path was recommended to elim- inate the human misery. It comprises of three basic divisions of Wisdom (Pragya Skanda), Ethical Con- duct (Sheel Skanda) And Concentration (Samadhi Skanda). Following table represents the eight fold path:

Concept of Nirvana #

The concept of Nirvana in Buddhism is entirely different from the Hinduism. Buddhism denied the concept of Moksha. However, it defines Nirvana as to getting rid of Cycle of Death and birth. It is achieved in the lifetime itself and not after death. To achieve nirvana one should follow moral code of Conduct.

BUDDHIST LITERATURE #

Tripitaka #

Tripitaka or Three Baskets is a traditional term used for various Buddhist scriptures. It is known as pali Canon in English. The three pitakas are Sutta Pitaka, Vinaya Pitaka and Abhidhamma Pitaka.

Sutta Pitaka: It contains over 10 thousand suttas or sutras related to Buddha and his close companions. This also deals with the first Buddhist council which was held shortly after Buddha’s death, dated by the majority of recent scholars around 400 BC, under the patronage of king Ajatasatru with the monk Mahakasyapa presiding, at Rajgir.

Its sections are: #

• Digha Nikaya: Comprises the “long” dis- courses.
• Majjhima Nikaya: Comprises the “mid- dle-length”.
• Samyutta Nikaya: Comprises the “con- nected”.
• Anguttara Nikaya: Comprises the “numer- ical”.
• Khuddaka Nikaya: Comprises the “minor collection”.

Vinaya Pitaka #

The subject matter of Vinay Pitaka is the monas- tic rules for monks and nuns. It can also be called as Book of Discipline.

Suttavibhanga: The basic code of Monastic discipline is known as Patimokkha. It contains 227 rules for fully ordained Monks called bikkhus (Maha vibhanga) and 311 rules for fully ordained nuns called Bikkhunis (Bikkhuni Vibhanga) They are contained in Suttavibhanga, one of the parts of Vinay Pitaka.

Khandhaka: Khandhaka is the second book of Vinay Pitaka. It has two volumes viz. Mahavagga and Cullavagga. Mahavagga deals with the awaken- ing of Buddha and his great disciples. Cullavagga deals with the first and second Buddhist councils and establishments of community of Buddhist nuns and rules for Buddhist community.

Parivara: Parivara is the last book of Vinaya Pitaka. It covers the summary of analysis of rules mentioned in first two books of Vinay Pitaka. Its is latest book and seems to be later than the Fourth Buddhist Coincil in Ceylon. It also contains ques- tions and answers.

Abhidhamma pitaka #

Abhidhamma pitaka deals with the philosophy and doctrine of Buddhism appearing in the suttas. However, it does not contain the systematic philo- sophical treatises. There are 7 works of Abhidhamma Pitaka which most scholars agree that don’t represent the words of Buddha himself. The 7 books are

• Dhammasangani: It contains a matrix which lists the classification of Dhammas or ideas.
• Vibhanga: It has 18 chapters dealing with different teachings of Buddhism. It is in 3 volumes and third volume is in question answer format.
• Dhatukatha: It has a matrix and various topics.
• Puggalapannatti: It has a matrix which deals with the list of the persons.
• Kathavatthu: It contains the debates and commentary on thoese debates.
• Yamaka: Yamaka has questions in pairs and understanding.

• Patthana: It also contains the questions and answers.

Jatakas #

Jatakas are very much close to folklore liter- ature and they contain the tales of previous births of Buddha in poems. The Jataka have also been mentioned in the Khuddaka Nikaya. There are 547 poems. In Sanskrit it is called Jatakamala, In Khmer they are known as cietak, and in Chinese they are called Sadok.

Milinda Panha #

Milinda Panha means “Questions of Milinda”. It contains the dialogue of Indo-Greek king Meander and Buddhist monk Nagasena. It has been written in second to first century BC and initially written in Sanskrit. There is only one copy in Sri Lankan Pali of this work. It was printed in the 6th Buddhist council in 1954.

Dipavamsa: The meaning of Dipavamsa is “Chronicle of Island”. It is the oldest historical record of Sri Lanka. It is believed to have been compiled around 3rd or 4th century BC somewhere in Anuradhapura in Sri Lanka during the reign of King Dhatusena of Sri Lanka, the first Mauryan King of Sri Lanka. The Avukana Buddha statue was erected by King Dhatusena in Sri Lanka. Dipavamsa is one of the most important works in Pali Literature. It details the tooth relic and Bodhi Tree’s arrival in Sri Lanka. It also deals with the arrival of Buddha’s teaching and preachers in Sri Lanka. It mentions that Buddha visited Kelaniya and Dighavapi in Sri Lanka.

Mahavamsa #

Mahavamsa is the most important Pali epic poem. Mahavamsa means “Great Chronicle”. It’s a historical poem in Pali Language which deals about the Kings of Sri Lanka. The first version of Mahavamsa dates back to 3-4th century BC during the reign of King Vijaya. The Mahavamsa, Dipa- vamsa, Culavamsa (small chronicle) all together are sometimes known as Mahavamsa. It deals with the royal dynasties of not only Sri Lanka but the whole Indian subcontinent and is known as world’s longest unbroken historical accounts. The consecration of Asoka and details of Selucus and Alexander have been detailed in it.

Mahavastu #

Mahavastu means the “Great Event”. It’s a work in prose and verse and is written in Sanskrit, Pali and Prakrit. It details the miracles & earlier lives of Buddha.

Buddha Charita #

Buddha Charita is an epic style Sanskrit work by Ashavaghosa and was compiled in second century BC. Dharmaraksa who is known to have translated many works of Buddhism in Chinese, translated this work in Chinese in 420AD. It mainly deals with Buddha’s Life. Asvaghosa also wrote a Sanskrit Drama “Sariputra Prakaran” which deals about Sariputta or Sariputra the disciple of Buddha.

Mahâvibhâsa Úâstra #

Its an early Sanskrit work on Buddhism. Vibhasa means a compendium and has 3 prongs. It is attrib- uted to vasumitra and deals with not only Buddhism but also Vaisheshika and Samkya philosophies.

Lalitavistara #

In Sanskrit Lalit is a Lotus. Lalitvistara is a San- skrit text that deals with the biography of Buddha.

Divyavadana #

Divyavadana means divine tales. It contains anthology in 38 stories and is a sankrit text, which deals with Mauryan and Sunga History. The Asoka- vadana is a story in it which deals with the legends of Asoka.

Udanavarga #

Udanavarga is an early Buddhist sanskrit text. It has verses attributed to Buddha and his disciples.

Udana #

Udana is a Pali text included there in the Sutta Pitaka’s Khuddaka Nikaya. It contains the story of “Blind men and Elephant”.

Bodhi Vamsa #

Bodhi Vamsa is a mix Sanskrit Pali text which was composed by Upatissa under the rule of Mahinda IV of Sri Lanka in 10th century AD. It describes the arrival of branch of Bodhi tree in Sri Lanka and many other things which mentioned in Mahavamsa.

BUDDHIST SCHOLARS #

The most important turning point in the expan- sion of Buddhism in India was the emergence and conversion of Asoka the Great (304–232 BC). He embraced Buddhism after 8 years of his coronation, and made it his state religion in 260 BC. He con- vened the third Buddhist council, which was held in Pataliputra in the presidency of Moggaliputta Tissa. He launched a vigorous campaign to propagate Bud- dhism which could be called Asoka’s Dhamma. The main scholars of Buddha are as follows:

Asvaghosa #

Asvaghosa is the Greatest Indian Poet Prior to Kalidasa. He is known as first Sanskrit Dramatist. His epics rivaled the contemporary Ramayana. He wrote Buddhist texts in Classical Sanskrit. He was the court writer and religious advisor of Kushana king Kanishka. His main works are Buddhacharita, Mahalankara (Book of Glory) and Saundarananda kavya (details the life of Nanda).

Nagarjuna #

Nagarjuna founded the Madhyamika school of Mahayan Buddhism. He was contemporary of Satavahana King Gautamiputra. He was born in a Brahmin family in Nagarjunkonda in modern Andhra Pradesh. Due to his birth in Brahmin family and later conversion in Buddhism, it can be justified that his early work was in sanskrit and not in Pali or Hybrid sanskrit. Most important work is Mûlama- dhyamakakârikâ , which means Fundamental Verses on the Middle Way. His theory is also known as Shunyavad “emptiness”.

Asanga & Vasubandhu #

Both were half brothers and proponents of Yogachara and Abhidhamma Teachings. They were from modern Peshawar in Pakistan. Most important work of Vasubandhu was Abhidharmamoksha.

Buddhaghosa #

Buddhaghosa lived the 5th century AD and is known to be one of the greatest Pali scholar. His name means “ Voice of Buddha”. Considered to be most important commentator of the Theravada. Details of his life have been described in Maha-

vamsa and Buddhaghosuppatti. Please note that Buddhaghosuppatti was not his work. He is said to have gone to Sri Lanka from India’s Magadha and settled in Anuradhapura. The most important work is Visuddhimagga.

Dignâga or Dinnaga: #

He is considered to be the founder of Buddhist logic.

Candrakîrti or Chandrakirti #

He was a disciple of Nagarjuna and a scholar at the Nalanda University. Prasannapadâ is his main work which means happy words or clear words

Dharmakirti #

Dharmakirti lived in 7th century AD and was primary theorist of Buddhist Sankya. He was a teacher at the Nalanda University and a poet. He has written Seven Treatises on Valid Cognition. He has been called “Kant of India’.

BUDDHIST SANGEETI OR COUNCILS #

Six Buddhist councils have been convened. Here is a short description:

First Buddhist Council: 483 BC #

Held soon after the mahaparinirvana of the Bud- dha, around 483 BC under the patronage of king Ajatshatru with the monk Mahakasyapa presiding, at Rajgriha, in the Sattapani Cave. The idea was to preserve Buddha’s teachings (Sutta) and rules for disciples (Vinaya). Ananda , one of the great disciples of Buddha recited Suttas and Upali, another disciple recited Vinaya. Abhidhamma Pitaka was also included.

Second Buddhist Council : 383 BC #

It was held in 383 BC. This idea of this coun- cil was to settle a dispute on Vinaya Pitaka, the code of discipline. The dispute was on 10 Points such as storing salt in horn, eating after midday, eating once and going to villages for alms, eating sour milk after one’s meal etc. It was not settles and Buddhism sects appeared for the first time. The subgroups were Sthaviravada, Mahasanghika and Sarvastivada. It was held at Vaishali under the patronage of King Kalasoka and the presidency of

Sabakami. Sthaviravada followed the teachings of the elders and Mahasanghika became extinct later.

3rd Buddhist council #

Third Buddhist Council: 250 BC. Third Bud- dhist council was held in 250 BC at Pataliputra under the patronage of King Asoka and under the presidency of Moggaliputta Tissa. The teachings of Buddha which were under two baskets were now classified in 3 baskets as Abhidhamma Pitaka was established in this council, and they were known as “Tripitaka”. It also tried to settle all the disputes of Vinaya Pitaka.

Fourth Buddhist Council: 72AD #

The Fourth Buddhist Council was held at Kun- dalvana, Kashmir in 72 AD. It was under the patron- age of Kushan king Kanishka and the president of this council was Vasumitra, with Ashvaghosa as his deputy. This council distinctly divided the Buddhism into 2 sects Mahayana & Hinayana.

Another Fourth Buddhist Council was held at Tambapanni (one name of Sri Lanka) at Aloka Lena under the patronage of Vattagamani-Abaya. How- ever, most scholars agree that this was not eligible to be called a Council as it was not under a king but a local chieftain. This council is also related to the cruel policy of Vattagamani-Abaya towards Jains, as it is said that a jain premises was destroyed and a Mahayana temple was built.

Fifth Buddhist Council: 1871 #

Fifth Buddhist Council took place in 1871 under the patronage of King Mindon in Mandalay, Burma. It was presided by Jagarabhivamsa, Narindabhidhaja, and Sumangalasami. The idea was to recite all the teachings of the Buddha and examine them system- atically if any of them was dropped or altered.

Sixth Buddhist Council : 1954 #

The Sixth Buddhist Council was held in 1954 in Burma at Kaba Aye, in Yangoon under the patron- age of Burmese Government led by Prime Minister U Nu. Construction of Maha Passana Guha, which is very much similar to India’s Sattapanni Cave where the first Buddhist Council had been held, was authorized by the government. It was aimed to preserve the genuine Dhamma and Vinaya Pitaka.

It held under the presidency of Mahasi Sayadaw and Bhaddanta Vicittasarabhivamsa. 500 buddhist scholars from 8 countries participated in this council.

MAHAYANA AND HINAYANA #

A Yana is a vehicle. A Hinayana is a lesser vehicle while a Mahayan is a Great vehicle.

Hinayana #

Also called “Deficient Vehicle”, the “Abandoned Vehicle”, or the “Defective Vehicle”. It believes in the original teaching of Buddha. Don’t believe in Idol Worship and try to attain individual salvation through self discipline and meditation. Sthavira Nikaya or Thearvada is a Hinayana sect, which follows the “doctrine of elders”. Asoka Patronized Hinayan and Pali the language of masses was use by the Hinayan scholars.

Mahayana #

This sect believes in the heavenliness of Bud- dha and believes in Idol Worship. It is also called Bodhisattva Vehicle. Mahâyâna Buddhism spread from India to China, Japan, Vietnam, Korea, Singa- pore, Taiwan, Nepal, Tibet, Bhutan, and Mongolia. Zen, Pure Land, Tiantai, and Nichiren, Shingon and Tibetan Buddhism are traditions of Mahayana. Fundamental principles of Mahâyâna doctrine were based on the possibility of universal liberation from suffering for all beings (hence the “Great Vehicle”) and the existence of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas embodying Buddha Nature. It allows salvation to be alternatively obtained through the grace of the Amitâbha Buddha by having faith and devoting oneself to mindfulness of the Buddha. Believes in Mantras.

Major Difference between Hinayana & Mahayana: #

Both adopt one and the same Vinaya, and they have in common the prohibitions of the five offenses, and also the practice of the Four Noble Truths. Those who venerate the bodhisattvas and read the Mahâyâna sutras are called the Mahâyânists, while those who do not perform these are called the Hînayânists

BODHISATTVA #

A Bodhisattva means one who has essence of enlightment. Anyone who has a spontaneous wish

to attain Buddhahood for the benefit of all is a Bodhisattva. It’s a very popular subject in Buddhist art. A bodhisattva is bound to enlightment and refers to all who are destined to become Buddhas in this life or another life. There are celestial bodhisattvas which are manifestations of Gautam Buddha. Impor- tant 8 Bodhisattvas are as follows:

Avalokitesvara #

Avalokitesvara encompasses all Buddhas. In China he is known as Guâìynîsnh Púsà , in tibetan as Chenrezig, in Thai as Avalokitesuarn. He is said to incarnate in Dalai Lama. He is depicted as holding a lotus flower. He is depicted as female also. A cave wall painting of Avalokitesvara is devoted in Ajanta Caves as Padmapani.

Manjusri #

He is known as Wénshû in Chinse, Jampelyang in Tibetan and is a menifestation of great wisdom and meditation. Manjursri is depicted as a male bodhisattva wielding a flaming sword in his right hand.

Samantabhadra #

Samantabhadra means Universal Worthy and he is associated with meditation. Known as Fugen Bosatsu in Japanese and very popular in Japan among the Tendai and Shingon sects. His manifestation is Action and he is key figure in Flower Garland Sutra.

Ksitigarbha #

Ksitigarbha is usually depicted as a Buddhist monk in the Orient / East Asia. Ksitigarbha means Earth Womb. He is regarded as Bodhisattva of Earth or Hell beings or Mortals. He is regarded as guardian of children and patron deity of deceased children and aborted fetuses in Japanese culture. He carries a staff. Ksitigarbha, Samantabhadra, Manjusri, and Avalokitesvara are the principal Bodhisattvas of East Asian Mahayana Buddhism.

Maitreya #

Answer of the above question is Maitreya. Maitreya will be successor of Gautama Buddha. He is also known as Ajita Boddhisattva. He holds a “water phial” in his left hand. Earliest mention of Metteyya is in the Digha Nikaya 26 of the Pali

Canon. It is said that he will arrive when oceans will decrease in size (that is why keeps a Kumbha or philial in his hand) and will rule the Ketumati Pure Land (Varanasi). Budai or Laughing Buddha is claimed to be an incarnation of Maitreya. Budai was a Chinese Zen monk who lived during the Later Liang Dynasty (907–923 CE) in China. In Japanese, he is called Hotei and is one of the seven Lucky Gods of Japan.

Vajrapani #

Vajrapani is depicted as one of the 3 protec- tive deities around Buddha, other are Manjusri and Avlokiteshwara. Vajrapani manifests Buddha’s power, Manjusri manifests Buddha’s wisdom and Avlokiteshwara manifests Buddha’s compassion. In Japan a dharma protector called Nio is also Vajrapani.

Sadâparibhûta #

Sadâparibhûta is a Bodhisattva which manifests “never disparaging” spirit.

Akasagarbha #

Akasagarbha is boundless as space. He is known as twin brother of Ksitigarbha. He is manifestation of wisdom.

The Trident in Buddhism Images #

At times the Buddha is presented as part of a trident, a symbol of the TRIRATNA, or Triple Jewels—BUDDHA (the teacher), DHARMA (the Teaching), SANGHA (community)—that constitute the core of the faith.

IMPORTANT BUDDHIST SHRINES #

Astamahasthanas #

Astamahasthanas are 8 great holy places. 4 are as follows:

• Lumbini: Birth of Buddha.
• Bodhgaya: Enlightment of Buddha.
• Sarnath: First sermon or Dhammachakra parivartan.
• Kushinagar: Death or mahaparinirvana. Along with them, Sravasti, Sankasya, Rajgir and

Vaishali are known as Astamahasthanas.

Amaravati: Amarawati in Andhrapradesh’s Guntur district is also known as Dhanyakataka or Dharanikota and was the site of a great Buddhist Stupa built in pre-Mauryan times, ruled by Satav- ahana kings.

Nagarjunkonda #

Nagarjunkonda is near Nagarjun Sagar in Andhra Pradesh. Once, it was home to more than 30 Buddhist Viharas (Buddhist universities and monasteries), attracting students from as far as China, Gandhara, Bengal and Sri Lanka. Nagarjunkonda was one the largest and most important Buddhist centers in South India from the second centuary BC until the third century AD. It was named after Nagarjuna, a renowned Buddhist scholar and philosopher, who had migrated here from Amaravati to propagate and spread the Buddha’s message of universal peach and brotherhood. Remains were discovered in 1926 by archaeologist AR Saraswati.

Ajanta Caves #

Ajanta Caves are 31 rock cut caves from 2nd to 8th century AD, located in Aurangabad. The first caves called Chaityas were created during Satavahana Dynasty. Cave No. 1 has the painting of Padmapani and Vajrapani. Painted narratives of the Jataka tales are depicted on the walls.

Angkor Wat #

Angkor Wat is located in Cambodia. The temple complex was built by Suryavarman II and it was first devoted to Vishnu and later to Buddhist.

Bodh Gaya #

Bodh Gaya was known as Bodhimanda, Uru- vela, Sambodhi, Vajrasana and Mahabodhi till 18th century when Bodh Gaya name became popular. It has the Mahabodhi temple and Bodhi tree. It became UNESCO world heritage site in 2002.

Bodhi Tree #

It’s a Pipal Tree (Ficus Religiosa) and known as Bo in Sri Lanka. Located in Bodh Gaya. Under this

tree Gautama attained enlightment. The current tree is a descendent of the original tree. There are other Bodhi trees as well viz. Anandabodhi tree in Sravasti and the Bodhi tree (Bo) or also known as Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi planted in 288 BC in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka and both of them have been propagated from the original tree. It is also known as oldest living Human Planted tree in the world with a known planting date.

Borobudur #

Borobudur is located in Indonesia and com- prises six square platforms topped by three circular platforms, and is decorated with 2,672 relief panels and 504 Buddha statues. It’s a world Heritage site. There are 3 Buddhist temples which are known as Borobudur Temple Compounds.

Bamyan Caves #

They are located in Afghanistan and have statues represented the classic blended style of Gandhara art of 6th century. They were the largest examples of standing Buddha carvings in the world, before they were blown by dyanamite by Taliban in 2001.

Ellora Caves #

Ellora Caves represent Buddhist, jain and Hindu Rock cut temples built by Rastrakuta Kings. Earliest Buddhist cave is Cave 6, most caves of Buddhism are Viharas. Cave number 10 is a Chaitya hall also known as Chandrashala or Vishwakarma Cave and also known as carpenter’s cave. At heart of this cave is a 15 ft statue of Buddha seated in a preaching pose.

Pushpagiri University #

Lalitgiri, Ratnagiri and Udayagiri are the part of the Puspagiri University which flourished till 11th century in Orissa. They lie atop the Langudi hills in Jajpur and Cuttak of Orissa.

Vikramshila, Odantapuri and Somapapuri #

Vikramshila. Odantapuri & Somapapuri were the Buddhist Viharas founded by Palas.