Life of Buddha

1. Buddhism was founded by Gautama Buddha.
2. Gautama Buddha was born in 563 BCE.
3. His birthplace was Lumbini.
4. Buddha belonged to the Shakya clan.
5. His father was Suddhodana, chief of the Shakyas.
6. His mother was Maya Devi.
7. Buddha was raised by his stepmother Mahaprajapati Gautami.
8. His childhood name was Siddhartha.
9. Siddhartha married Yashodhara.
10. His son was Rahula.
11. At the age of 29, Siddhartha left home in the Great Renunciation.
12. The four sights seen by Buddha were old man, sick man, dead body, and ascetic.
13. Buddha practiced severe austerities for six years.
14. He attained enlightenment at Bodh Gaya.
15. Enlightenment was achieved under the Bodhi Tree.
16. After enlightenment he became known as Buddha (the Enlightened One).
17. His first sermon was delivered at Sarnath.
18. This sermon is called Dharmachakra Pravartana (Turning of the Wheel of Law).
19. Buddha attained Mahaparinirvana at Kushinagar.
20. Buddha died at the age of 80 years.

Teachings of Buddhism

21. The essence of Buddha’s teachings is contained in the Four Noble Truths.
22. The first Noble Truth is Dukkha (suffering).
23. The second Noble Truth explains the cause of suffering (desire).
24. The third Noble Truth states that suffering can end.
25. The fourth Noble Truth describes the Eightfold Path.
26. The Eightfold Path is also called the Middle Path.
27. The Eightfold Path includes Right View, Right Thought, Right Speech, Right Action, Right Livelihood, Right Effort, Right Mindfulness, and Right Concentration.
28. Buddha rejected the authority of the Vedas.
29. He opposed the caste system.
30. Buddhism emphasizes moral conduct and meditation.
31. Buddha taught the concept of Ahimsa (non-violence).
32. The doctrine of Anatta (no soul) is central to Buddhism.
33. Another important concept is Anicca (impermanence).
34. The goal of Buddhism is Nirvana.
35. Nirvana means freedom from the cycle of birth and death.
36. Buddhism emphasizes self-discipline and ethical living.
37. Buddha rejected ritual sacrifices.
38. Buddhism focuses on practical ethics.
39. The Buddhist path emphasizes moderation in life.
40. The Buddhist philosophy is considered rational and ethical.

Buddhist Literature & Councils

41. The teachings of Buddha were compiled in the Tripitaka.
42. Tripitaka means Three Baskets.
43. The three parts are Vinaya Pitaka, Sutta Pitaka, and Abhidhamma Pitaka.
44. Vinaya Pitaka deals with rules of monastic discipline.
45. Sutta Pitaka contains Buddha’s sermons.
46. Abhidhamma Pitaka deals with philosophical doctrines.
47. Buddhist texts were written mainly in Pali language.
48. The First Buddhist Council was held at Rajgir.
49. The First Council was held under Ajatashatru.
50. It was presided over by Mahakassapa.
51. The Second Buddhist Council was held at Vaishali.
52. The Second Council discussed monastic discipline disputes.
53. The Third Buddhist Council was held at Pataliputra.
54. It was organized by Ashoka.
55. The Third Council was presided over by Moggaliputta Tissa.
56. The Fourth Buddhist Council was held in Kundalvana.
57. The Fourth Council was organized by Kanishka.
58. The Fourth Council is associated with Mahayana Buddhism.
59. Buddhist councils helped preserve Buddha’s teachings.
60. The councils also settled doctrinal disputes.

Sects of Buddhism

61. The two main branches of Buddhism are Hinayana and Mahayana.
62. Hinayana means Lesser Vehicle.
63. Hinayana emphasizes individual salvation.
64. Mahayana means Greater Vehicle.
65. Mahayana emphasizes compassion and universal salvation.
66. Mahayana introduced the concept of Bodhisattva.
67. Bodhisattvas delay their own nirvana to help others.
68. Mahayana Buddhism spread widely in China, Japan, and Korea.
69. Hinayana Buddhism is prominent in Sri Lanka and Southeast Asia.
70. Mahayana Buddhism allows idol worship of Buddha.
71. Hinayana emphasizes simple teachings of Buddha.
72. Sanskrit texts became prominent in Mahayana Buddhism.
73. Mahayana Buddhism developed many philosophical schools.
74. Buddhism later developed the Vajrayana tradition.
75. Vajrayana is prominent in Tibet and Mongolia.
76. Buddhist monks lived in monasteries called Viharas.
77. Buddhist monasteries became centers of learning.
78. Monks were known as Bhikkhus.
79. Female monks were called Bhikkhunis.
80. The Buddhist community is called the Sangha.

Spread & Patronage

81. The greatest patron of Buddhism was Ashoka.
82. After the Kalinga War, Ashoka embraced Buddhism.
83. Ashoka spread Buddhism through Dhamma missions.
84. Ashoka sent missionaries to Sri Lanka.
85. His son Mahinda spread Buddhism in Sri Lanka.
86. His daughter Sanghamitta also went to Sri Lanka.
87. The sacred Bodhi tree sapling was taken to Sri Lanka.
88. Buddhism spread to Central Asia and Southeast Asia.
89. Buddhist universities flourished at Nalanda.
90. Another famous center of learning was Vikramashila.
91. Buddhist stupas were built to preserve relics of Buddha.
92. The famous stupa is located at Sanchi.
93. The Gandhara school produced Buddha statues with Greek influence.
94. The Mathura school developed indigenous Buddha images.
95. Buddhism declined in India around the 12th century CE.
96. The rise of Bhakti movements contributed to its decline.
97. The destruction of Buddhist monasteries also weakened Buddhism.
98. Buddhism influenced Indian art and architecture.
99. Buddhist principles influenced Asian civilizations.
100. Today Buddhism is one of the major world religions.