General knowledge Buddhism AS

General knowledge Buddhism AS

1. Historical/social background

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   • Where: Northern India foothill of the Himalayas + Ganges plain
   • When: 6th-3rd century BCE. Time of transition and upheaval and religious pluralism
   • Political situations: Area split into tribes. Governed by Sangha's (democratic assemblies) or by monarchies
     • 2 kingdoms emerged: Magada + Kasala
   • Society in the kingdom
     • Followed the Brahmin Caste system Brahmins Kshatriyas Vaishyas Shudra's Dalits
     • Successful kingdoms allowed for non-producers (actors, philosophers, wandering mendicants/holy men
   • Religious background
     • 1) Brahminism (early Hinduism) - Caste system, belief in many gods
       • 2) Jain - belief in ahimsa, rebirth and karma
         • 3) Buddhism
           • 4) Sceptics - didn't believe in life after death
             • 5) Folk tradition - indigineous relgions of Northern India. Believed in Gods attached to nature
   • EVALUATE: How much did the Buddha change considering the impacts and influences from other religions.

2. Spread of Buddhism

   • Golden age of Buddhism under the patronage of Ashoka
     • ASHOKA
       • Promoted Religous pluralism
       • Ruled Magadha took kingdom by force
       • Coverted to Buddhism
       • Established moral edicts (focus on ahimsa). He also set up hospitals and vets as well as Buddhist universities
   • Decline of Buddhism in India within 100 years of Ashoka's death
   • Buddhism remained strong in Sri Lanka and Thialand
   • 3rd council saw the split between the sthviras (Therevada) and Mahasanghikas (Mahayana)

3. Life of the Buddha

   • 1) Conception: Maya dreamt she was impregnated by a white elephant
     • 2) Birth: 32 Signs of the superman, walk/lotus flower, Maya gave birth standing up from her side
       • 3) Prophesy: Aista the seer gave: Siddhartha will be a great king or religious leader
         • 4) Early life of luxury: kept away from suffering to direct prophesy towards being a king
           • 5) 4 signs: old age, sickness, death, holyman
             • 6) Great renunciation + life as an ascetic leaving life of luxury to practice ascetisism (self mortification of the body)
               • 7) Enlightenment: Aged about 40 he sat under Bod tree. Tempted by Mara who wanted to prevent Nirvana (3 women represent 3 poisons)
                 • 8) Ministry teaching period: teaches 5 ascetics who became enlightened and are ready to spread Dharma

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