✨ Buddhism – Path to Liberation from Suffering 🕉️🕊️

👉 During a time when human life was filled with suffering and attachment, Buddhism emerged, focusing on meditation, liberation, and ethics. Let’s explore its story 🏺🌳.

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1️⃣ Origin / Background

• 🔹 Gautam Buddha – Born: 623 BCE, Lumbini, Nepal
• 🔹 Death: 483 BCE, Kushinagar
• 🔹 Father: Suddhodana (Shakya clan), Mother: Mahamaya
• 🔹 Stepmother: Mahaprajapati Gautami (first Bhikshuni)
• 🔹 Wife: Yashodhara, Son: Rahul
• 🔹 Left home at age 29 for asceticism
• 🔹 Teachers: First – Alara Kalama, Second – Uddaka Ramaputra
• 🔹 Enlightenment: Bodh Gaya, under Bodhi tree, near Niranjan River
• 🔹 First sermon: Sarnath
• ⭐️ Importance: Guides humanity in understanding suffering and liberation.

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2️⃣ Symbols

• 🔹 Lotus – Birth
• 🔹 Horse – Great renunciation
• 🔹 Bodhi tree – Knowledge / Nirvana
• 🔹 Dharmachakra – First sermon
• 🔹 Stupa – Death
• ⭐️ Importance: Represents key stages of life and the Buddhist path.

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3️⃣ Philosophy

• 🔹 Truth of Suffering – Life is full of suffering
• 🔹 Cause of Suffering – Craving / desires
• 🔹 End of Suffering – Eightfold Path (Right View, Intention, Speech, Action, Livelihood, Effort, Mindfulness, Concentration)
• 🔹 Path to liberation – Following these principles
• ⭐️ Importance: Guide to life and liberation.

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4️⃣ Sects

• 🔹 Hinayana – No idol worship, Pali language
• 🔹 Mahayana – Idol worship, Sanskrit language, Bodhisattvas
• 🔹 Vajrayana – Tantric Buddhism
• ⭐️ Importance: Different religious perspectives and practices.

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5️⃣ Councils & Patrons

• 🔹 First Council – Rajgir, 480 BCE, Ajatashatru, Mahakashyap
• 🔹 Second – Vaishali, 383 BCE, Kalasoka, Sabkami
• 🔹 Third – Pataliputra, 250 BCE, Ashoka, Moggaliputta Tissa
• 🔹 Fourth – Kashmir, 72 CE, Kanishka, Vasumitra
• ⭐️ Importance: Structure of religion and preservation of texts.

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6️⃣ Important Sites & Architecture

• 🔹 Chaitya – Prayer hall
• 🔹 Vihara – Monastery / residence
• 🔹 Stupa – Death and memorials
• Kesariya – Bihar, largest
• Dhamek – Sarnath, UP
• Ramabhar – Kushinagar, UP
• Sanchi – MP
• Borobudur – Indonesia
• ⭐️ Importance: Physical and cultural identity of Buddhism.

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7️⃣ University & Education

• 🔹 Nalanda – Kumaragupta, Bihar
• 🔹 Vikramshila – Dharmapala, Bihar
• 🔹 Odantapuri – Gopala
• ⭐️ Importance: Spread of education and knowledge.

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8️⃣ Texts

• 🔹 Pali – Tripitaka
• Suttapitaka – Teachings
• Vinayapitaka – Monastic rules
• Abhidharmapitaka – Commentary on Sutras
• Milindapanha – Dialogues of Milinda & Nagasena
• 🔹 Sanskrit – Buddhacharita, Jataka Tales
• ⭐️ Importance: Preservation of teachings and dissemination of knowledge.

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🏁 Conclusion

• Buddhism – Path to liberation from suffering, meditation, and moksha.
• Buddha’s teachings, stupas, and universities left a lasting impact on Indian and global culture.
• Evolution Line: Gautam Buddha → Buddhist Councils → Medieval Buddhism → Modern Buddhist Community 🇮🇳

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