Conclave on Buddhism: Must-know teachings, paths, and sects of Buddhism for UPSC Exam

Indian Express

22-04-2025

Take a look at the essential events, concepts, terms, quotes, or phenomena every day and brush up your knowledge. Here's your knowledge nugget for today.
Knowledge Nugget: Buddhism
(Relevance: Buddhism is one of the most favourite topics of the UPSC. Several questions have been asked by UPSC on Buddhism. In 2020, UPSC asked a question on events in the history of India. In this regard, this topic is very crucial for your prelims and mains. Don't miss out on post-read questions at the end.)
Why in the news?
In a first, the government is organising a two-day conclave starting April 21 in Arunachal Pradesh to highlight the spread and impact of Buddhism in India's Northeast. It is organised jointly by the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC) in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture.
Key Takeaways :
1. Titled 'Buddha Dhamma and the Culture of Northeast India', the event will highlight how the Northeast region is a significant centre for Buddhist traditions, monastic culture, and heritage.
2. The region has preserved and propagated various Buddhist traditions, including Theravāda, Mahāyāna and Vajrayāna, said Abhijit Halder, Director-General, IBC, a global umbrella body for Buddhist conclaves, headquartered in New Delhi.
3. The Northeast India is home to several indigenous tribes that have integrated Buddha Dhamma with their traditional customs, Halder said, adding that the story of Theravāda Buddhism in Namsai district was a remarkable tale of spiritual continuity, cultural resilience and modern revival, and the aim of the conclave is also to highlight that to the world community.
Buddhism
Buddhism emerged in India around the fifth-sixth centuries BC during a period that scholars call 'the second urbanisation of India', a time of great socio-cultural change in the Gangetic plains. It emerged, along with other heterodox traditions such as Jainism, as a response to Vedic Hinduism's highly rigid and ritualistic ways.
Four Noble Truths
The core theme of Buddha's teaching is inherent in the four noble truths. These are as follows:
1. Truth of Suffering (Dukkham): There is suffering and the entire world is inflicted by it. Life involves pain, loss, and dissatisfaction.
2. Truth of the Cause of Suffering (Dukkhasamuppāda): There is a cause for suffering. It is a cycle of twelve links (i.e., dvādaśa nidānacakra or bhāvacakra). Each link is dependent on the previous link for its existence and gives birth to the next link. These twelve links are:
(i) Avidyā (ignorance),
(ii) Samskāra (impression of previous births),
(iii) Vijñāna (initial consciousness of the foetus),
(iv) Nāmarūpa (name and form),
(v) Sadāyatana (six senses including mind),
(vi) Sparśa (sense-object contact),
(vii) Vedanā (sense experience),
(viii) Trsnā (thirst for the objects of enjoyment),
(ix) Upādāna (clinging to attachment),
(x) Bhava (desire to take birth),
(xi) Jāti (birth),
(xii) Jarā-marana (suffering in the form of old age and death).
3. Truth of the Cessation of Suffering (Dukkhassa atikkama): It is possible to find liberation from suffering. If the root cause of suffering, i.e., ignorance (Avidyā) is dispelled, the dependent links are ceased one by one and ultimately human suffering also ceases.
4. Truth of the Path to the Cessation of Suffering(Ariyam Aṭṭhaṅgikaṁ Maggaṁ Dukkhupasamagāminaṁ): There is a path of cessation of suffering. The Eightfold Path is the way to achieve this liberation.
Eightfold Path
The eightfold path is explained in the mahāparinibbāṇasutta of dighanikāya of Suttapiṭaka.Through following the eightfold path, one can attain the supreme realisation and annihilate the suffering by dispelling ignorance, the first link. The eightfold path includes:
1. Right views (Sammā diṭṭhi)
2. Right aspiration (Sammā saṁkappo)
3. Right conduct (Sammā kammo)
4. Right speech (Sammā vāk)
5. Right efforts (Sammā vāyāmo)
6. Right livelihood (Sammā ājivo)
7. Right mindfulness (Sammā sati)
8. Right meditational attainment (Sammā samādhi)
Three Gems (triratna)
Buddhism prescribes the three gems (triratna) as the means of liberation. These are:
1. Knowledge (Prajñā),
2. Conduct (śila), and
3. Meditation (samādhi)
The five conducts are very important for a Buddhist monk. These are:
1. Non-violence
2. Non-stealing
3. Celibacy
4. Truthfulness
5. Not taking any intoxicating things like liquor.
Tipitaka
Buddha wanted to lead humanity to emancipation. Thus, he used Pāli language to reach the masses in his teachings. His teachings have been compiled in Tipiṭaka, literally means three baskets. It is the most revered text of Buddhism.
This canonical literature has three parts:
(i) Sutta Pitaka (or the 'Sayings Basket'), the largest basket comprising discourses and sermons of the Buddha himself, as well as some religious poetry;
(ii) Vinaya Pitaka (or the 'Discipline Basket'), dealing with rules or discipline of the Buddhist sangha ( monastic order); and
(iii) Abhidhamma Pitaka, the basket that further elaborates on Buddhist philosophy.
Buddhist Circuit
In 2016, the Ministry of Tourism announced the Buddhist Circuit as the country's first transnational tourism circuit, covering sites in Nepal and Sri Lanka alongside those in India. The main sites covered under the circuit span the life of Buddha from his birth to his Parinirvana, and comprise Bodh Gaya, Vaishali, Rajgir and Kushinagar in Bihar, Sarnath and Shravasti in UP, along with Kapilavastu and Lumbini in Nepal.
BEYOND THE NUGGET: Sects of Buddhism
(UPSC has previously asked questions on the different sects of Buddhism; thus, after knowing about the essential tenets of Buddhism, it becomes important to know about its sects.)
After Buddha's death, his followers interpreted his teachings differently, leading to doctrinal divisions and the emergence of distinct Buddhist sects later on as Theravada, Mahāyāna and Vajrayana.
Theravada Buddhism
1. It is the conservative and orthodox form of Buddhism. Notably, followers of the older tradition described themselves as Theravadins, that is, those who followed the path of old, respected teachers, the theras.
2. It is spread in south and south-east Asia. Vaibhāsika and Sautrāntika are the philosophical sects of Hinayāna.
3. It emphasizes the historical existence of a single Buddha, Gautama Shakyamuni and upholds Buddha's original doctrines and disciplines. It believes in individual salvation through self-discipline and meditation.
4. Scriptures were written in the Pali language. Emperor Ashoka played a significant role in spreading Theravada Buddhism.
Mahayana Buddhism
1. Mahayana Buddhism emerged around the 1st century CE, and its doctrines were further developed during the Fourth Buddhist Council convened by Kanishka in Kashmir.
2. It emphasises the concept of Bodhisattvas. Bodhisattvas were perceived as deeply compassionate beings who accumulated merit through their efforts but used this not to attain nibbana and thereby abandon the world but to help others.
3. Mahāyāna is prevalent in north and north-east Asia. Yogācāra and Mādhyamika are the philosophical sects
of Mahāyāna.
According to ncert.nic.in,
Those who adopted Mahayana ('greater vehicle') described the older tradition as Hinayana or the 'lesser vehicle'.
Hinayana or Theravada? Supporters of Mahayana regarded other Buddhists as followers of Hinayana. However, followers of the older tradition described themselves as theravadins, that is, those who followed the path of old, respected teachers, the theras.
Vajrayana Buddhism
1. Vajrayana Buddhism developed from Mahayana Buddhism around the 6th–7th century CE. The school mainly flourished in Bengal, Bihar, and Tibet where it has survived.
2. In Vajrayana Buddhism, it is believed that salvation could best be achieved by acquiring magical powers, known as Vajra, meaning thunderbolt or diamond.
3. The followers of this sect believed that this form of Buddhism focused on feminine divinities, who represented the force or potency (Shakti) behind male divinities. These feminine 'spouses' of the Buddhas or Bodhisattvas in this sect were considered saviouresses (Tārās) of their followers.
(1) With reference to the religious history of India, consider the following statements: (UPSC CSE 2020)
1. Sthaviravadins belong to Mahayana Buddhism
2. Lokottaravadin sect was an offshoot of the Mahasanghika sect of Buddhism
3. The deification of Buddha by Mahasanghikas fostered Mahayana Buddhism
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
(2) Consider the following: (UPSC CSE 2019)
1. Deification of the Buddha
2. Treading the path of Bodhisattvas
3. Image worship and rituals
Which of the above is/are the feature/features of Mahayana Buddhism?
(a) 1 only
(b) 1 and 2 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
(3) With reference to the religious history of India, consider the following statements: (UPSC CSE 2016)
1. The concept of Bodhisattva is central to the Hinayana sect of Buddhism.
2. Bodhisattva is a compassionate one on his way to enlightenment.
3. Bodhisattva delays achieving his own salvation to help all sentient beings on their path to it.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 2 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3