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Notes Chapter 4 History

The document covers the historical development of Buddhism and other traditions like Jainism and Brahmanism from 600 BCE to 600 CE, highlighting key figures, teachings, and archaeological sites such as the Sanchi Stupa. It discusses the evolution of religious practices, debates on sacrifices, and the emergence of new religious traditions like Mahayana Buddhism and Puranic Hinduism. Additionally, it details the significance of stupas, sculpture, and temple architecture in preserving these traditions.

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73 views4 pages

Notes Chapter 4 History

The document covers the historical development of Buddhism and other traditions like Jainism and Brahmanism from 600 BCE to 600 CE, highlighting key figures, teachings, and archaeological sites such as the Sanchi Stupa. It discusses the evolution of religious practices, debates on sacrifices, and the emergence of new religious traditions like Mahayana Buddhism and Puranic Hinduism. Additionally, it details the significance of stupas, sculpture, and temple architecture in preserving these traditions.

Uploaded by

iamsamsulek
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

1.

Introduction
 Covers the period c. 600 BCE – 600 CE.
 Focuses on Buddhism but also mentions other traditions (Jainism, Brahmanism).
 Uses texts (Buddhist, Jaina, Brahmanical) and archaeological sources (monuments,
inscriptions).
 Sanchi Stupa is a major example.

2. Sanchi
 19th-century Europeans found the site fascinating.
 French tried to take the eastern gateway; plaster casts were taken instead.
 Begums of Bhopal (Shahjehan & Sultan Jehan) preserved the site.
 John Marshall dedicated his Sanchi volumes to Sultan Jehan.

3. Background: Sacrifices and Debates


Sacrificial Tradition:

 Rigveda (c.1500–1000 BCE) contains hymns to Agni, Indra, Soma.


 Sacrifices:
o Early: collective.
o Later: household-based & royal (rajasuya, ashvamedha).
 Brahmanas conducted elaborate rituals.

New Questions:

 Upanishads (6th century BCE): rebirth, karma, ultimate reality.


 Debates on the meaning of sacrifices and life after death.

Debates and Discussions:

 Buddhist texts mention 64 schools of thought.


 Teachers (including Buddha & Mahavira) travelled, debated in kutagarashalas.
 Emphasis on individual agency vs. Brahmanical caste-based destiny.

4. Jainism
 Mahavira (6th century BCE), 24th tirthankara.
 Core ideas:
o Entire world is animated (even stones & water have life).
o Ahimsa (non-violence) central.
o Salvation through asceticism & renunciation.
 Jaina monks/nuns take 5 vows: no killing, stealing, lying, celibacy, no property.
 Spread via texts in Prakrit, Sanskrit, Tamil.

5. The Buddha
Life:

 Born Siddhartha (Sakya clan chief’s son).


 Saw old age, sickness, death → renounced palace life.
 Attained enlightenment through meditation, became the Buddha.

Teachings:

 World is transient (anicca), soulless (anatta), and full of sorrow (dukkha).


 Follow middle path (between self-indulgence & severe penance).
 Emphasis on righteous action & individual effort.
 Final goal: Nibbana (end of ego/desire, liberation from rebirth).

Sangha:

 Organisation of monks (bhikkhus) & nuns (bhikkhunis).


 Initially men only; later women admitted (first: Mahapajapati Gotami).
 Equality in sangha, decisions via discussion/voting.

6. Stupas
 Sacred places: trees, rocks, Bodh Gaya, Sarnath, Kusinagara, Lumbini.
 Stupas: burial mounds with Buddha’s relics.
 Asoka distributed relics, built stupas (2nd century BCE: Bharhut, Sanchi, Sarnath).

Structure:

 Anda (mound), Harmika (balcony-like top), Yashti (mast with chhatri).


 Railings & gateways with inscriptions from kings, guilds, commoners.
7. Sculpture & Symbols
 Stories in stone: Jataka tales (e.g., Vessantara Jataka).
 Buddha shown symbolically: empty seat, stupa, wheel of dharma.
 Popular motifs: shalabhanjika (tree-touching woman), animals (elephants = strength,
wisdom).
 Ajanta paintings: Jataka stories, court life, Gajalakshmi motif.

8. New Religious Traditions


Mahayana Buddhism:

 By 1st century CE: Buddha seen as saviour.


 Bodhisattvas: compassionate beings delaying nibbana to help others.
 Worship of Buddha images started.
 Mahayana (“Great Vehicle”) vs. older Theravada (“Teaching of the Elders”).

Puranic Hinduism:

 Vaishnavism (Vishnu) & Shaivism (Shiva).


 Bhakti (devotion) became central.
 Avatars of Vishnu (10 forms).
 Puranas compiled (simple Sanskrit, accessible to all).

Temple Architecture:

 Early temples: garbhagriha (shrine) with shikhara (tower).


 Rock-cut caves (Ajivikas, later Kailashnatha at Ellora).

9. Preservation of Stupas
 Amaravati: discovered 1796, sculptures taken to Madras & London.
 Sanchi survived due to Begums of Bhopal & later Archaeological Survey of India.

10. Timeline
 1500–1000 BCE: Early Vedic.
 1000–500 BCE: Later Vedic.
 6th century BCE: Upanishads, Jainism, Buddhism.
 3rd century BCE: First stupas.
 2nd century BCE+: Mahayana Buddhism, Vaishnavism, Shaivism.
 3rd century CE: Early temples.

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