1.2.2 Buddhism, Jainism and heterodox sects notes

1. 1.2.2.1Heterodox sects of the sixth century BCE: Ajivikas, Charvakas and others

   The sixth century BCE in the middle Ganga plain was a time of open debate, and besides the Buddha and Mahavira many wandering teachers (shramanas) offered rival answers about the self, karma and the world; most of their own writings are lost.

   Standard · 6 min · Full course
2. 1.2.2.2Jainism: Mahavira, the tirthankaras and core doctrines

   Jainism teaches that every living thing has a soul, that karma binds the soul, and that liberation comes through non-violence and strict self-discipline; Mahavira was its 24th and last tirthankara.

   Standard · 6 min · Full course
3. 1.2.2.3Jain councils, the Svetambara–Digambara split and spread

   Jainism had two councils to preserve its scripture, split into Svetambara and Digambara sects after a Magadhan famine, and spread through the west and south of India.

   Standard · 5 min · Full course
4. 1.2.2.4Gautama Buddha: life and the four great events

   Siddhartha, a prince of the Sakya clan, left his home at 29, gained enlightenment at Bodh Gaya, preached his first sermon at Sarnath and died at Kusinara, and these four places mark the great events of his life.

   Standard · 6 min · Full course
5. 1.2.2.5Buddhist teachings: Four Noble Truths, Eightfold Path and the Middle Way

   The Buddha taught that life is marked by suffering, that suffering has a cause that can be ended, and that the way to end it is a balanced path of right conduct, avoiding both luxury and extreme austerity.

   Standard · 5 min · Full course
6. 1.2.2.6Buddhist councils, the Tripitakas and the Hinayana–Mahayana split

   Four councils fixed the Buddhist canon and sorted out disputes; the last one, under Kanishka, is linked with the rise of Mahayana, which split from the older Hinayana (Theravada) school.

   Standard · 5 min · Full course
7. 1.2.2.7Spread, contribution and decline of Buddhism and Jainism

   Buddhism spread across India and Asia through royal patronage, missions and trade, and gave India its first great monastic universities and art, but it faded in India after the Gupta age while Jainism survived through lay trading communities.

   Standard · 6 min · Full course

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