history of the Teachings of Buddha

                                                               Teachings of Buddha

The Four Noble Truths of Buddha are:
- The world is full of suffering.
- The cause of suffering is desire.
- If desires are get rid off, suffering can be removed.
- This can be done by following the Eightfold Path.
The Eightfold Path consists of right view, right resolve, right
speech, right conduct, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulnessand right concentration. Buddha neither accepts god nor rejects the
existence of god. He laid great emphasis on the law of karma. He
argued that the condition of man in this life depends upon his own
deeds. He taught that the soul does not exist. However, he
emphasized Ahimsa. By his love for human beings and all living
creatures, he endeared himself to all. Even under the gravest
provocation he did not show the least anger or hatred and instead
conquered everyone by his love and compassion. His religion was
identical with morality and it emphasized purity of thought, word
and deed. He was a rationalist who tried to explain things in the
light of reason and not on the basis of blind faith. Though he did not
make a direct attack on the caste system, he was against any social
distinctions and threw open his order to all. Therefore, Buddhism
was more a social than religious revolution. It taught the code of
practical ethics and laid down the principle of social equality.

                                                 Spread of Buddhism

Buddha had two kinds of disciples – monks (bhikshus) and

lay worshippers (upasikas). The monks were organized into the

Sangha for the purpose of spreading his teachings. The membership

was open to all persons, male or female and without any caste

restrictions. There was a special code for nuns restricting their

residence and movement. Sariputta, Moggallana and Ananda were

some of the famous monks. The Sangha was governed on

democratic lines and was empowered to enforce discipline among

its members. Owing to the organised efforts made by the Sangha,

Buddhism made rapid progress in North India even during Buddha’s

life time. Magadha, Kosala, Kausambi and several republican states

of North India embraced this religion. About two hundred years

after the death of Buddha, the famous Mauryan Emperor Asoka

embraced Buddhism. Through his missionary effort Asoka spread

Buddhism into West Asia and Ceylon. Thus a local religious sectwas transformed into a world religion.

                                                           .Buddhist Councils

The first Buddhist Council was held at Rajagraha under the

chairmanship of Mahakasapa immediately after the death of Buddha.

Its purpose was to maintain the purity of the teachings of the Buddha.

The second Buddhist Council was convened at Vaisali around 383

B.C. The third Buddhist Council was held at Pataliputra under the

patronage of Asoka. Moggaliputta Tissa presided over it. The final

version of Tripitakas was completed in this council. The fourth

Buddhist Council was convened in Kashmir by Kanishka under the

chairmanship of Vasumitra. Asvagosha participated in this council.

The new school of Buddhism called Mahayana Buddhism came into

existence during this council. The Buddhism preached by the Buddha

and propagated by Asoka was known as Hinayana.

The Buddhist texts were collected and compiled some five

hundred years after the death of the Buddha. They are known as

the Tripitakas, namely the Sutta, the Vinaya and the Abhidhamma

Pitakas. They are written in the Pali language.

                          Causes for the Decline of Buddhism in India

The revival of Brahmanism and the rise of Bhagavatism led to

the fall of popularity of Buddhism. The use of Pali, the language of

the masses as the language of Buddhism was given up from the 1st

century A.D. The Buddhists began to adopt Sanskrit, the language

of the elite. After the birth of Mahayana Buddhism, the practice of

idol worship and making offerings led to the deterioration of moral

standards. Moreover, the attack of the Huns in 5th and 6th centuries

and the Turkish invaders in 12th century destroyed the monasteries.

All these factors contributed to the decline of Buddhism in India.