Indian History - Short notes on Buddhism

Short notes on Buddhism - Indian History

• Goutama Buddha, the founder of Buddhism was born at Lambani in Kapilavastu (Nepal)
• Buddha’s mother Mahamaya died 7 days after his birth, he was brought up by his aunt named Mahaprajapati Gautami.
• Buddha attained higher Enlightenment at Bodh Gaya in Bihar.
• Buddha delivered his first sermon at Deer park in Sarnath (UP)
• Buddha attained Parinivana (Death) at Kusinagar in UP.
• Buddha was born in 563 BC and belongs to Sakya Kshatriya Clan hence known as Sakya Muni.
• The Central theme of Buddhism is Ashtanga Marga or Eight fold fpath.
• Buddhism does not recognize the existence of God and soul (Atman)
• Buddhism used Pali, which was the language of the common people.
• The third Buddhist council was held at pataliputra
• The first Buddhist council was held Rajgirh, during the period of kind Ajatasatru.  At this Council Vinaya pitaka and Suddha pitaka were recited by the then high priest Upali.
• Second Buddhist Council was held at Vaisali during the time of Kind Kalasoka.
• The third Buddhist Council was held at Pataliputra at the time of Asoka and was presided over by Mogaliputta Tissa.
• At the third Buddhist council, Abhidhamma pitaka was accepted as the sacred and authentic text of Buddhists.
• The fourth Buddhist Council was held at Kashmir during the time of King Kanishka.  The council was presided over by Vasumitra.
• At the fourth Buddhist Council, Buddhism split into two Mahayana Buddhism and Hinayana Buddhism.
• Mahayana Buddhism or Greater vehicle flourished in India and Hinayana Buddhism or Lesser Vehicle flourished in Cylon (Srilanka).
• The term Mahabhinishkramana means great renounciation or Great going forth of Buddha to the forest.
• Bodhi tree at Bodh Gaya was cut down by Shashanka of Gauda.