Founder: Gautama Buddha
Born (traditional): 563 BCE, Lumbini
Death (traditional): 483 BCE, Kushinagar
4 Noble Truths: Arya Satya
Eightfold Path: Ashtangika Marga
General Information (Samanya Parichay)
▼
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Founder | Gautama Buddha |
| Childhood Name | Siddhartha |
| Birth | 563 BCE (traditional chronology) — Lumbini, Nepal |
| Death | 483 BCE (traditional chronology) — Kushinagar / Kushinara, UP |
| Father | Shuddhodana — Head of Shakya clan, Kapilavastu |
| Mother | Maya Devi — Princess of Koliya clan |
| Stepmother | Prajapati Gautami — Raised Buddha · First Bhikkhuni |
| Wife | Yashodhara — Princess of Shakya clan |
| Son | Rahul — Meaning: Fetter or Bond |
Key Terminology Revision
▼
| Event | Technical Term |
|---|---|
| Renunciation (leaving home) | Mahabhinishkramana |
| Enlightenment | Nirvana / Sambodhi |
| First Sermon | Dharmachakra Pravartana |
| Death | Mahaparinirvana |
Eight Great Events & Symbols (Ashtamahapratihariya)
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| Life Event | Symbol | Technical Term |
|---|---|---|
| Conception | Elephant (White) | — |
| Birth | Lotus / Bull | — |
| Renunciation | Horse | Mahabhinishkramana |
| Enlightenment | Bodhi Tree (Pipal) | Sambodhi / Nirvana |
| First Sermon | Wheel (Chakra) | Dharmachakrapravartana |
| Buddha’s presence / path | Footprints | — |
| Death | Stupa | Mahaparinirvana |
Path to Renunciation
▼
A. Four Sights (seen at Kapilavastu)
Sight 1
Old Man
Aging
Sight 2
Sick Man
Disease
Sight 3
Corpse
Death
Sight 4
Ascetic / Monk
Peace / Sannyas
B. Home Renunciation (at age 29)
- Horse: Kanthaka
- Charioteer: Channa (Chhana)
Teachers & Companions
▼
First Guru
Alara Kalama
Vaishali · Teaching: Sankhya Philosophy · Result: Knowledge of "Nothingness"
(Sunyata)
Second Guru
Udraka Ramaputta
Rajagriha · Result: Advanced meditative stages (neither perception nor
non-perception)
5 Ascetics (Panchavaggiya) — Met at Uruvela
1.
Kaundinya (Kondanna)
2.
Vappa
3.
Bhaddiya
4.
Mahanama
5.
Assaji
Enlightenment (Sambodhi)
▼
Age
35 years
Day
Vaishakh Purnima
Buddha Purnima
Location
Bodh Gaya, Bihar
River: Niranjana (Phalgu) · Tree: Bodhi (Pipal)
Sermons of Buddha (Dharmachakrapravartana)
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| First Sermon | Sarnath (Rishipattana / Deer Park) |
| Most Sermons | Shravasti (Capital of Kosala Kingdom) |
| Language | Pali |
| Other Locations | Kosala, Vaishali, Kaushambi, Rajgir |
Buddhist Sangha
▼
- Established for guidance of Bhikkhus (monks) and Bhikkhunis (nuns)
- Upasampada: Higher ordination for full monastic status; novice entry is Pabbajja
- First Bhikkhuni: Prajapati Gautami (Buddha's stepmother)
- Royal Followers: Bimbisara, Prasenjit, Udayana
Four Noble Truths (Arya Satya / Chatur Arya Satya)
▼
Truth 1
Dukkha
The world is full of Suffering
Truth 2
Dukkha Samudaya
Cause of Suffering = Desire / Tanha
Truth 3
Dukkha Nirodha
Cessation of Suffering (is possible)
Truth 4
Dukkha Nirodhagamini Pratipada
Path to cessation = Eightfold Path
Eightfold Path (Ashtangika Marga)
Middle Path to Nirvana
▼
1
Right View
2
Right Resolve
3
Right Speech
4
Right Action
5
Right Livelihood
6
Right Effort
7
Right Mindfulness
8
Right Concentration
Core Beliefs
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- Non-Theistic: No supreme creator God; Anatta denies a permanent, unchanging self
- Karma & Rebirth: Strong emphasis on both
- Vedas: Rejected the authority of Vedas
- Goal: Nirvana (Liberation)
- Values: Truth (Satya) + Non-Violence (Ahimsa)
4 Buddhist Councils (Sangeeti)
Most Important Topic for Exams · Mnemonic: Ra-Va-Pa-Ku / Aj-Ka-A-K
▼
1st · after Mahaparinirvana (traditional chronology)
Place: Rajagriha
Chair: Mahakasyapa
Ruler: Ajatashatru
Work: Compilation of Sutta Pitaka & Vinaya Pitaka
2nd · about a century after Mahaparinirvana
Place: Vaishali
Chair: Sabakami
Ruler: Kalashoka
Work: Vinaya and monastic-discipline disputes; relation to later schisms is complex
3rd · c. 250 BCE (Theravada tradition)
Place: Pataliputra
Chair: Moggalliputta Tissa
Ruler: Ashoka
Work: Compilation of Abhidhamma Pitaka
4th · Kanishka’s reign (exact year disputed)
Place: Kashmir
Chair: Vasumitra
Ruler: Kanishka
Work: Sarvastivada Abhidharma commentaries, including Mahavibhasha
🧠 MNEMONIC
Places: Ra-Va-Pa-Ku → Rajagriha - Vaishali - Pataliputra - Kashmir
Rulers: Aj-Ka-A-K → Ajatashatru - Kalashoka - Ashoka - Kanishka
Rulers: Aj-Ka-A-K → Ajatashatru - Kalashoka - Ashoka - Kanishka
Division of Buddhism — 3 Sects
▼
🚌 Hinayana (Lesser Vehicle)
Belief: Early emphasis on Buddha as human teacher and self-effort; not a blanket ban on images
Faith: Strict original teachings
Language: Pali
Goal: Individual salvation (Arhat)
🚀 Mahayana (Greater Vehicle)
Belief: Idol Worship (Buddha as God)
Faith: Bodhisattvas
Language: Sanskrit
Goal: Salvation for all
⚡ Vajrayana (Diamond Vehicle)
Basis: Tantric philosophy (Magic/Spells)
Emerged: Medieval period
Tripitaka — Buddhist Literature
Language: Pali
▼
| Text | Meaning | Content |
|---|---|---|
| Sutta Pitaka | Basket of Discourse | Core teachings & dialogues of Buddha · Largest Pitaka |
| Vinaya Pitaka | Basket of Discipline | Rules and conduct for monks and nuns |
| Abhidhamma Pitaka | Basket of Philosophy | Metaphysics and philosophy |
- Dipavamsa & Mahavamsa: Sri Lankan chronicles discussing Buddhist history
- First written down: 1st Century BCE in Sri Lanka under King Vattagamani
Other Important Buddhist Texts
▼
| Text | Details |
|---|---|
| Milinda Panha | Language: Pali · Meaning: "Questions of Milinda" · Dialogue between Indo-Greek King Menander I (Milinda) and Monk Nagasena |
| Buddhacharita | Language: Sanskrit · Author: Ashvaghosha (Court poet of Kanishka) |
| Jataka Tales | Stories of Buddha's previous births |
Key Fact: Early Buddha images developed in Gandhara and Mathura; a first-ever Indian idol is not established
Key Buddhist Terms
▼
Chaitya
Worship Hall / Prayer Hall
Vihara
Monastery
Residence place for monks
Stupa
Place for Buddha's relics
Related to Buddha & his disciples
Dhamma
Dharma
The Teachings of Buddha
3 Types of Stupas
Saririka
Collection of bodily relics
Paribhogika
Objects used by Buddha
Uddesika
Symbolic / Commemorative
Important Stupas & Locations
▼
| Stupa | Location | Key Fact |
|---|---|---|
| Kesariya Stupa | Bihar | Major Buddhist stupa in East Champaran, Bihar |
| Dhamek Stupa | Sarnath, UP | Site of Buddha's First Sermon |
| Sanchi Stupa | Madhya Pradesh | Built by Ashoka |
| Bharhut Stupa | Madhya Pradesh | Famous for railings and sculptures |
| Ramabhar Stupa | Kushinagar, UP | Site of cremation (Mahaparinirvana) |
| Borobudur Stupa | Indonesia | Largest Buddhist temple — Shailendra Dynasty |
| Bavikonda Stupa | Andhra Pradesh | Ancient monastic site |
| Piprahwa Stupa | Uttar Pradesh | Relic stupa associated with the Buddha and Shakya tradition |
| Dharmarajika | Taxila, Pakistan | Built by Ashoka |
Buddhist Universities
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| University | Founder / Ruler | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Nalanda | Kumaragupta I (Gupta) | Bihar |
| Vikramashila | Dharmapala (Pala) | Bihar |
| Odantapuri | Gopala (Pala) | Bihar |
⚠ TRAP 01 — Council Locations (Buddhist vs Jain)
First Buddhist Council = Rajagriha · Second = Vaishali · Third = Pataliputra · Fourth = Kashmir
First Jain Council = Pataliputra · Second = Vallabhi
Mnemonic: Buddhist sites = Ra–Va–Pa–Ku | Rulers = Aj–Ka–A–K
First Jain Council = Pataliputra · Second = Vallabhi
Mnemonic: Buddhist sites = Ra–Va–Pa–Ku | Rulers = Aj–Ka–A–K
⚠ TRAP 02 — Pitaka Compiled at Which Council
First Council: traditional recitation/compilation of Sutta and Vinaya.
Second: Vinaya discipline disputes; not merely a schism.
Third: associated with Abhidhamma in Theravada tradition.
Second: Vinaya discipline disputes; not merely a schism.
Third: associated with Abhidhamma in Theravada tradition.
⚠ TRAP 03 — Hinayana vs Mahayana Language
Hinayana = Pali (strict, original teachings, individual salvation)
Mahayana = Sanskrit (idol worship, Buddha as God, salvation for all)
Vajrayana = Tantric (medieval period)
Mahayana = Sanskrit (idol worship, Buddha as God, salvation for all)
Vajrayana = Tantric (medieval period)
⚠ TRAP 04 — Largest Stupa vs Largest Buddhist Temple
Kesariya: major Buddhist stupa in Bihar.
Borobudur: Buddhist temple complex in Indonesia.
Piprahwa: Buddhist relic site in Uttar Pradesh; no unrestricted oldest-stupa claim.
Borobudur: Buddhist temple complex in Indonesia.
Piprahwa: Buddhist relic site in Uttar Pradesh; no unrestricted oldest-stupa claim.
⚠ TRAP 05 — First Bhikkhuni
First Bhikkhuni = Prajapati Gautami, Buddha's stepmother who raised him.
Her request led to the admission of women into the Buddhist Sangha.
Her request led to the admission of women into the Buddhist Sangha.
⚠ TRAP 06 — Buddha's Life Key Ages
Traditional biography: left home at 29, enlightenment at 35, lifespan 80 years. One common chronology uses 563–483 BCE; absolute birth and death dates remain uncertain.
⚠ TRAP 07 — Nalanda University Founder
Nalanda = Kumaragupta I of the Gupta dynasty
Vikramashila = Dharmapala of the Pala dynasty
Odantapuri = Gopala of the Pala dynasty
Nalanda was founded under the Guptas, not the Palas.
Vikramashila = Dharmapala of the Pala dynasty
Odantapuri = Gopala of the Pala dynasty
Nalanda was founded under the Guptas, not the Palas.
⚠ TRAP 08 — Milinda Panha
Milinda Panha: Menander I (Milinda) and Nagasena; Pali; “Questions of Milinda”. Menander was an Indo-Greek ruler whose realm included the northwestern subcontinent.
Buddha's childhood name?
Siddhartha
Born at?
Lumbini, Nepal · 563 BCE in one traditional chronology
Died at?
Kushinagar, UP · 483 BCE in one traditional chronology
Father's name?
Shuddhodana
Head of Shakya clan, Kapilavastu
Mother's name?
Maya Devi
Princess of Koliya clan
First Bhikkhuni?
Prajapati Gautami
Buddha's stepmother
Son's name?
Rahul
Meaning: Fetter/Bond
Left home at age?
29
Mahabhinishkramana
Enlightenment at age?
35
Bodh Gaya, Vaishakh Purnima
Buddha's horse name?
Kanthaka
Charioteer name?
Channa (Chhana)
First Guru of Buddha?
Alara Kalama
Vaishali · Sankhya Philosophy
Second Guru of Buddha?
Udraka Ramaputta
Rajagriha
5 Ascetics met at?
Uruvela
Enlightenment river?
Niranjana (Phalgu)
Bodh Gaya, Bihar
First Sermon place?
Sarnath (Deer Park)
Most Sermons place?
Shravasti (Kosala)
Theravada Tipitaka language?
Pali
Cause of Suffering?
Desire / Tanha
2nd Noble Truth
1st Council — place/ruler?
Rajagriha · Ajatashatru
After Mahaparinirvana · Mahakasyapa (traditional account)
2nd Council — place/ruler?
Vaishali · Kalashoka
About a century later · Sabbakami (traditional account)
3rd Council — place/ruler?
Pataliputra · Ashoka
250 BCE · Moggalliputta Tissa
4th Council — place/ruler?
Kashmir · Kanishka
Kanishka’s reign · Vasumitra; exact year disputed
Council mnemonic (places)?
Ra-Va-Pa-Ku
Council mnemonic (rulers)?
Aj-Ka-A-K
Largest Pitaka?
Sutta Pitaka
Abhidhamma Pitaka compiled at?
3rd Council (Pataliputra)
Hinayana language?
Pali
Mahayana language?
Sanskrit
Kesariya Stupa — location?
Kesariya, Bihar
Largest Buddhist temple?
Borobudur, Indonesia
Shailendra Dynasty
Piprahwa relic stupa — location?
Piprahwa, UP
Kapilavastu relics
Sanchi Stupa built by?
Ashoka
Nalanda University founder?
Kumaragupta I (Gupta)
Vikramashila founder?
Dharmapala (Pala)
Milinda Panha — dialogue between?
Menander I & Nagasena
Buddhacharita author?
Ashvaghosha
Court poet of Kanishka
Jataka Tales about?
Buddha's previous births
Renunciation symbol?
Horse
First Sermon symbol?
Wheel (Chakra)