CUET UG History: Ancient India - Buddhism and Jainism, Doctrines, Spread, Difference from Brahminism

Must-Know

• Siddhartha Gautama attained enlightenment at Bodh Gaya under a pipal tree, later known as the Mahabodhi Tree.
• The First Buddhist Council was held at Rajagriha in 483 BCE, shortly after the death of the Buddha, presided over by Mahakassapa.
• The Second Buddhist Council took place at Vaishali in 383 BCE, leading to the first schism in Buddhism between Sthaviravadins and Mahasanghikas.
• The Third Buddhist Council was convened by Emperor Ashoka at Pataliputra in 250 BCE, presided over by Moggaliputta Tissa, resulting in the compilation of the Kathavatthu.
• The Fourth Buddhist Council was held under Kushana ruler Kanishka in 78 CE at Kundalavana (Kashmir), marking the rise of Mahayana Buddhism.
• The Tripitakas—Vinaya Pitaka, Sutta Pitaka, and Abhidhamma Pitaka—are the core texts of Theravada Buddhism, composed in Pali.
• The Five Great Vows (Mahavratas) of Jainism are: Ahimsa, Satya, Asteya, Brahmacharya, and Aparigraha, strictly followed by monks.
• Mahavira, the 24th Tirthankara, died at Pavapuri in present-day Bihar, attaining moksha.
• Jainism split into two major sects: Shvetambara (white-clad) and Digambara (sky-clad), after the council of Valabhi in 5th century CE.
• The Shvetambaras believe women can attain moksha; Digambaras do not, citing the need for complete renunciation including clothing.
• The Three Jewels (Triratna) of Buddhism are: Right Understanding, Right Effort, and Right Livelihood — later expanded to Eightfold Path.
• The Eightfold Path includes: Right View, Right Intention, Right Speech, Right Action, Right Livelihood, Right Effort, Right Mindfulness, Right Concentration.
• The Four Noble Truths are: Dukkha (suffering), Samudaya (cause of suffering), Nirodha (cessation of suffering), Magga (path to cessation).
• Jainism emphasizes Anekantavada (multiplicity of viewpoints) and Syadvada (theory of conditioned predication).
• Buddhism rejected the authority of the Vedas, while Brahminism considered the Vedas as revealed and infallible.
• The concept of karma in Buddhism is based on intention (cetana), not ritual action as emphasized in Brahminism.
• Buddhist sangha admitted members regardless of caste; Brahminical society upheld the varna system strictly.
• Jain monks practiced extreme asceticism, including pulling out hair (kayotsarga), while Buddhist monks followed the Middle Path.
• Ashoka sent his son Mahinda and daughter Sanghamitta to Sri Lanka to spread Buddhism in 3rd century BCE.
• The Chaityas were prayer halls and Viharas were monasteries built for Buddhist monks, often rock-cut, e.g., Karla and Ajanta.

Difficulty Level

Intermediate — Requires understanding of doctrinal differences and historical chronology, but facts are directly from NCERT Class 12 Themes in Indian History I.

Common CUET Traps

• Trap: Confusing the location of the Fourth Buddhist Council (Kundalavana vs. Pataliputra). Avoid: Kanishka’s council was in Kashmir; Ashoka’s was in Pataliputra.
• Trap: Believing Mahavira founded Jainism. Avoid: He was the 24th Tirthankara; Rishabhanatha was the first.
• Trap: Assuming all Buddhist councils were under royal patronage. Avoid: The First Council was supported by Ajatashatru, but not all had kings; verify from NCERT.

Practice MCQs

1. Question: Where was the First Buddhist Council held?
   A) Vaishali
   B) Pataliputra
   C) Rajagriha
   D) Kundalavana
   Answer: C
   Explanation: The First Buddhist Council was held at Rajagriha under the patronage of King Ajatashatru.
   Why others fail: Vaishali hosted the Second Council, a common mix-up.

2. Question: Which of the following is NOT one of the Four Noble Truths?
   A) Dukkha
   B) Samudaya
   C) Moksha
   D) Magga
   Answer: C
   Explanation: Moksha is a concept in Jainism and Hinduism, not part of the Four Noble Truths.
   Why others fail: Students confuse Buddhist liberation (nirvana) with moksha.

3. Question: The doctrine of Syadvada is associated with which religion?
   A) Buddhism
   B) Brahminism
   C) Jainism
   D) Sikhism
   Answer: C
   Explanation: Syadvada, meaning "perhaps" or "in some ways", is a Jain philosophical doctrine of conditional predication.
   Why others fail: Syadvada sounds similar to Buddhist skepticism, but it's uniquely Jain.

4. Question: Which ruler convened the Third Buddhist Council?
   A) Kanishka
   B) Harsha
   C) Ashoka
   D) Ajatashatru
   Answer: C
   Explanation: Ashoka convened the Third Buddhist Council at Pataliputra to purify the sangha.
   Why others fail: Kanishka hosted the Fourth Council, a frequent confusion.

5. Question: Which of the following best describes the Buddhist Middle Path?
   A) Extreme asceticism and meditation
   B) Complete indulgence in worldly pleasures
   C) Avoidance of both extreme indulgence and extreme asceticism
   D) Strict adherence to Vedic rituals
   Answer: C
   Explanation: The Middle Path is the core of Buddha’s teaching, rejecting extremes.
   Why others fail: Option A describes Jain practice, tempting those who confuse ascetic traditions.

Last-Minute Revision

• First Buddhist Council – Rajagriha, 483 BCE, Mahakassapa.
• Second Buddhist Council – Vaishali, 383 BCE, caused Sthaviravada-Mahasanghika split.
• Third Buddhist Council – Pataliputra, 250 BCE, under Ashoka.
• Fourth Buddhist Council – Kundalavana, 78 CE, under Kanishka.
• Tripitakas in Pali: Vinaya, Sutta, Abhidhamma.
• Mahavira died at Pavapuri; attained moksha.
• Jain sects: Shvetambara (allow women in sangha), Digambara (do not).
• Three Jewels: Right View, Right Effort, Right Livelihood (early form).
• Eightfold Path has eight components, not three.
• Four Noble Truths: Dukkha, Samudaya, Nirodha, Magga.
• Anekantavada = multiple viewpoints (Jainism).
• Syadvada = "maybe" or "in some way" (Jain epistemology).
• Buddhism rejects caste; Brahminism upholds varna.
• Buddha rejected Vedic authority and rituals.
• Mahayana Buddhism emerged after Fourth Council.
• Theravada = "Doctrine of the Elders", conservative.
• Ashoka sent Mahinda and Sanghamitta to Sri Lanka.
• Chaitya = prayer hall; Vihara = monastery.
• Digambara monks do not wear clothes.
• Buddha preached first sermon at Sarnath (Dhammachakrapravartana).