Buddhism

Founder: Siddhartha Gautama (referred to as the Buddha)
Time and Place: 6th century BCE, Lumbini (present-day Nepal)
Reason for Origin: Dissatisfaction with the Vedic rituals and the suffering in life
Key Concepts Introduced:
- Dukkha (Suffering): Inherent in life
- Samudaya (Origin of Suffering): Desire and attachment
- Nirodha (Cessation of Suffering): Nirvana
- Magga (Path to End Suffering): Noble Eightfold Path

Early Life:
- Born as Siddhartha Gautama in Lumbini
- Son of King Suddhodana and Queen Maya
- Given name Siddhartha, meaning “Achiever of His Goals”
Renunciation:
- At age 29, he left his palace to seek enlightenment
- Went through Great Renunciation
Enlightenment:
- Meditated under the Bodhi Tree (now in Bodh Gaya)
- Attained Nirvana at age 35
Teachings:
- Began preaching in Sarnath
- Delivered the Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta (First Sermon)
Death:
- Died at age 80 in Kushinagar
- Known as Parinirvana

Core Teachings:
- Four Noble Truths: Dukkha, Samudaya, Nirodha, Magga
- Noble Eightfold Path: Right View, Right Intention, Right Speech, Right Action, Right Livelihood, Right Effort, Right Mindfulness, Right Concentration
Key Concepts:
- Anatta (No-Self): No permanent, unchanging self
- Karma: Actions determine future rebirths
- Rebirth: Cycle of birth, death, and rebirth (Samsara)
- Nirvana: Liberation from the cycle of rebirth and suffering
Ethical Teachings:
- Five Precepts: Abstain from killing, stealing, sexual misconduct, false speech, and intoxicants
Meditation:
- Practices like Vipassana (insight meditation) and Samatha (calm meditation)

Text	Period	Description
Sutta Pitaka	5th century BCE	Collection of Buddha’s sermons
Vinaya Pitaka	5th century BCE	Rules for monastic life
Abhidhamma Pitaka	5th century BCE	Philosophical and psychological analysis
Jataka Tales	3rd century BCE	Stories of Buddha’s past lives
Tripitaka	3rd century BCE	Three baskets of teachings (Sutta, Vinaya, Abhidhamma)
Mahayana Sutras	1st century BCE–1st century CE	Emphasize Bodhisattva ideal
Pali Canon	1st century BCE	Earliest Buddhist scriptures in Pali language

Council	Time	Location	Purpose
First Buddhist Council	543 BCE	Rajagaha	To recite and preserve Buddha’s teachings
Second Buddhist Council	483 BCE	Vaishali	To resolve disputes over monastic discipline
Third Buddhist Council	383 BCE	Pataliputra	To compile and standardize scriptures
Fourth Buddhist Council	1st century BCE	Kashmir	To compile Mahayana texts
Fifth Buddhist Council	1954	Kirti Stupa, India	To compile and preserve texts in modern times

Sect	Time of Origin	Main Features	Key Texts	Important Centers
Theravāda	3rd century BCE	Follows Pali Canon, monastic discipline	Pali Canon	Sri Lanka, Thailand, Myanmar
Mahāyāna	1st century BCE–1st century CE	Emphasizes Bodhisattva ideal, Mahayana sutras	Mahayana Sutras	India, China, Japan
Vajrayāna	7th century CE	Uses esoteric practices, mantras, visualizations	Tantras	Tibet, Nepal, Bhutan
Zen	6th century CE	Focus on meditation and direct experience	Zen Sutras	Japan, China
Pure Land	6th century CE	Emphasizes devotion to Amitabha Buddha	Pure Land Sutras	Japan, China
Tibetan Buddhism	7th century CE	Blend of Mahayana and Vajrayana	Tantras, Sutras	Tibet, Mongolia, Nepal

Who was the founder of Buddhism? Siddhartha Gautama (Buddha)
Where did the Buddha attain enlightenment? Bodh Gaya
What are the Four Noble Truths? Dukkha, Samudaya, Nirodha, Magga
What is the Noble Eightfold Path? Eight steps to end suffering
What is the difference between Theravāda and Mahāyāna? Theravāda follows Pali Canon, Mahāyāna emphasizes Bodhisattva ideal
What is the significance of the First Buddhist Council? To preserve Buddha’s teachings
Which country is the birthplace of Buddhism? India
What is the main goal of Buddhism? Nirvana
Which Buddhist sect is most prevalent in Thailand? Theravāda
What is the main practice of Zen Buddhism? Meditation and direct insight