Buddhism and Jainism Notes for UPSC

Buddhism and Jainism are two great religions that began in India in the 6th century BCE, at a time of big changes in society. They questioned costly rituals, animal sacrifice and the dominance of priests, and they offered a simple path of ethical living. For UPSC, this topic is very important for both Prelims and Mains: questions come on the life of the Buddha and Mahavira, the Four Noble Truths, the Buddhist councils, the Jain Tirthankaras, the differences between the two religions and the reasons for their spread and decline.

Why New Religions Arose in the 6th Century BCE

• Complex Vedic rituals had become costly and confusing, and priests (Brahmanas) controlled them.
• Rigid varna system: Kshatriyas and Vaishyas wanted a higher social status than they received.
• Economic change: iron-based agriculture needed cattle, but sacrifices killed many animals. Trade and towns made a new rich class of merchants who liked simple religions.
• Philosophical ferment: the Upanishads had already started questioning rituals.

Gautama Buddha: Life in Brief

Siddhartha Gautama was born about 563 BCE at Lumbini (now in Nepal) in the Shakya clan. His father Suddhodhana ruled Kapilavastu and his mother was Mahamaya. After seeing an old man, a sick man, a dead body and a monk, he left home at the age of 29 (the Mahabhinishkramana). He gained enlightenment (Nirvana) at Bodh Gaya under a peepal tree at the age of 35. He gave his first sermon at Sarnath (called Dharmachakra Pravartana) and passed away (Mahaparinirvana) at Kushinagar at about 80 years of age. Remember these four places: Lumbini (birth), Bodh Gaya (enlightenment), Sarnath (first sermon) and Kushinagar (death).

Teachings of Buddhism

The Buddha taught the Middle Path, avoiding both extreme luxury and extreme self-torture. His core teaching is the Four Noble Truths:

1. Dukkha: life is full of suffering.
2. Samudaya: suffering is caused by desire (trishna).
3. Nirodha: suffering can be ended by ending desire.
4. Magga: the way to end it is the Eightfold Path.

The Eightfold Path (Ashtangika Marga) includes right view, right intention, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness and right concentration. The Buddha stressed karma, rebirth and non-violence, and did not focus on a creator god. The three jewels (Tri-ratna) are the Buddha, the Dhamma (teaching) and the Sangha (monastic order). The teachings were written in Pali, the language of common people, in the Tripitakas: Vinaya Pitaka (rules), Sutta Pitaka (sermons) and Abhidhamma Pitaka (philosophy).

The Four Buddhist Councils

Schools of Buddhism

Hinayana (Theravada) follows the original teachings strictly and sees the Buddha as a teacher. Mahayana considers the Buddha as a divine being, believes in the Bodhisattva (a person who delays his own nirvana to help others) and accepts idol worship. Its famous thinker was Nagarjuna. Vajrayana developed later with tantric practices. Buddhism spread to Sri Lanka (through Ashoka's children Mahendra and Sanghamitra), Central Asia, China, Japan and South-East Asia.

Mahavira and Jainism

Jainism has 24 Tirthankaras (ford-makers). The first was Rishabhanatha, the 23rd was Parshvanatha (who taught four vows: non-violence, truth, non-stealing and non-possession) and the 24th was Mahavira. Vardhamana Mahavira was born about 540 BCE at Kundagrama near Vaishali in a Kshatriya family. He left home at 30, did severe penance for 12 years, attained Kevala Jnana (perfect knowledge) near the Rijupalika river and died at Pavapuri at the age of 72. He added a fifth vow, brahmacharya.

Teachings of Jainism

• Five vows: Ahimsa (non-violence), Satya (truth), Asteya (non-stealing), Aparigraha (non-possession) and Brahmacharya.
• Three jewels (Triratna): Right Faith, Right Knowledge and Right Conduct.
• Anekantavada: truth has many sides, and Syadvada is the doctrine of "maybe" that explains it.
• Ahimsa was taken to the highest level, so Jains avoid harming even small insects.

Jainism later split into Digambara (sky-clad monks, led by Bhadrabahu) and Svetambara (white-clad monks, led by Sthulabhadra). The texts are in Prakrit (Ardhamagadhi) and were compiled in two councils, at Pataliputra and Vallabhi. Patrons included Bimbisara, Ajatashatru, Chandragupta Maurya, Kharavela of Kalinga and the Ganga rulers of Karnataka, who built the Gommateshvara statue at Shravanabelagola.

Buddhism vs Jainism: Quick Comparison

Contribution of Buddhism and Jainism

Both religions gave India the values of non-violence, equality and rational thinking. They promoted education through monasteries and universities such as Nalanda and Vikramashila, enriched art and architecture (stupas, caves, viharas, Jain temples at Dilwara and Ranakpur), developed Pali and Prakrit literature and supported trade. Mahatma Gandhi was strongly influenced by the idea of ahimsa.

Why Buddhism Declined in India

Historians point to several reasons: the rise of Mahayana ideas that made Buddhism similar to Hinduism, the revival of Brahmanism and Bhakti, loss of royal patronage after the Gupta age, internal corruption in some monasteries and attacks on monasteries in the early medieval period. Jainism survived better because of its strong lay community, especially among traders.

Important Points for Prelims

• Buddha's first sermon was at Sarnath; death was at Kushinagar; enlightenment was at Bodh Gaya.
• The Third Council was held under Ashoka at Pataliputra and the Fourth under Kanishka in Kashmir.
• The symbol of Mahavira is the lion; of Parshvanatha it is the serpent.
• Pali and Prakrit were used instead of Sanskrit.

Why Did Buddhism Spread So Fast? (Mains Angle)

This is a favourite Mains question. Write the answer in clear points: (1) Simple teachings that anyone could follow, with no costly rituals; (2) use of the Pali language, so common people understood it; (3) no caste barriers, so people from all varnas, including women, could join the Sangha; (4) a strong monastic organisation (the Sangha) that taught and travelled; (5) royal patronage from Bimbisara, Ashoka, Kanishka and Harsha; and (6) support of traders, who liked its peaceful, practical message and its links with trade routes. In the conclusion, mention that Buddhism became a world religion because of Ashoka's missions.

Memory Tricks for Buddhism and Jainism

• Four places of the Buddha: "Lumbini - Bodh Gaya - Sarnath - Kushinagar" is the order of birth, enlightenment, first sermon and death.
• Councils: think "R-V-P-K" for Rajgriha, Vaishali, Pataliputra and Kundalvana.
• Four vows to five: Parshvanatha gave four vows and Mahavira added brahmacharya as the fifth.
• Symbols: Mahavira has the lion, Parshvanatha the snake and Rishabhanatha the bull.

Practice Statements for Prelims (with Answers)

• "The Buddha's teachings were written in Sanskrit." Wrong. They were in Pali.
• "Mahavira was the founder of Jainism." Wrong. He was the 24th and last Tirthankara; Jainism is older.
• "The Abhidhamma Pitaka was compiled at the Third Council under Ashoka." Correct.
• "Mahayana Buddhism rejects idol worship." Wrong. Mahayana accepts idol worship.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Confusing the first sermon place (Sarnath) with the death place (Kushinagar).
• Mixing up the Third Council (Ashoka) and Fourth Council (Kanishka).
• Saying that Jainism spread widely outside India. It mainly remained in India.
• Writing that the Buddha believed in a creator god, which is not the focus of Buddhist teaching.

How to Study and Write on This Topic

Learn the life events of both teachers with the place names, memorise the tables of councils and teachings, and practise a Mains answer on "Reasons for the spread of Buddhism" (simple language, royal patronage, Sangha, rejection of caste, trade support) and "Contribution of Buddhism to Indian culture". Link this note with Mauryan history, because Ashoka made Buddhism a world religion.

Quick Revision Box

• Buddha: born at Lumbini, enlightenment at Bodh Gaya, first sermon at Sarnath, death at Kushinagar.
• Core teaching: Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path; language: Pali; texts: Tripitakas.
• Mahavira: 24th Tirthankara; five vows; Triratna; Anekantavada; language: Prakrit.
• Both religions opposed costly rituals and supported non-violence and simple living.

Buddhism and Jainism changed Indian thinking about duty, compassion and social equality. If you know the main dates, places and teachings and can compare the two religions in a table, this topic will give you sure marks in the Prelims and strong content for Mains answers.

Related Notes to Read Next

Continue your preparation with these related notes from the same subject:

• Mauryan Empire Notes for UPSC
• Gupta Empire Notes for UPSC
• Mahajanapadas and Rise of Magadha Notes for UPSC
• All Ancient Indian History notes

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

When did Buddhism and Jainism begin in India?

Both religions began in the 6th century BCE in the middle Ganga plains, at a time of social and religious change that questioned Vedic rituals and the dominance of priests.

Where did Gautama Buddha get enlightenment?

Gautama Buddha attained enlightenment at Bodh Gaya in Bihar under a peepal tree at the age of 35.

What are the Four Noble Truths?

The Four Noble Truths are: life has suffering (dukkha), suffering has a cause (desire), suffering can end (nirodha) and there is a path to end it, the Eightfold Path.

What is the Eightfold Path?

It is the Buddhist path to end suffering and has eight parts: right view, intention, speech, action, livelihood, effort, mindfulness and concentration.

What are the Tripitakas?

The Tripitakas are the three baskets of Buddhist teachings in Pali: the Vinaya Pitaka (monastic rules), Sutta Pitaka (sermons of the Buddha) and Abhidhamma Pitaka (philosophy).

What happened in the Fourth Buddhist Council?

The Fourth Council was held in Kundalvana in Kashmir under Kanishka. It led to the final division of Buddhism into Hinayana and Mahayana.

What is the difference between Hinayana and Mahayana?

Hinayana (Theravada) follows the original teachings and sees the Buddha as a human teacher, while Mahayana sees him as a divine figure, believes in Bodhisattvas and allows idol worship.

Who was Mahavira?

Mahavira was the 24th Tirthankara of Jainism. He was born near Vaishali around 540 BCE, attained Kevala Jnana after years of penance and taught five vows.

What are the five vows of Jainism?

The five vows are Ahimsa (non-violence), Satya (truth), Asteya (non-stealing), Aparigraha (non-possession) and Brahmacharya (celibacy or self-control).

What is the difference between Digambara and Svetambara?

Digambara monks do not wear clothes and follow stricter rules, while Svetambara monks wear white clothes. The division is traditionally linked with Bhadrabahu and Sthulabhadra.

What is Anekantavada?

Anekantavada is the Jain principle that truth and reality have many sides, so no single view is complete. It encourages tolerance and open-mindedness.

Why did Buddhism decline in India?

Reasons include the revival of Brahmanism and Bhakti, the loss of royal support, changes within Buddhism itself and attacks on monasteries in the early medieval period.