In India, there are many important places related to Buddhism. This is because Buddha became enlightened and lived most of his life there. The Astamahasthanas are eight special places connected to Buddha's life. These include four places linked to Gautama Buddha's life, like Lumbini, Bodhgaya, Sarnath, and Kushinagar, as well as four other places: Sravasti, Sankasya, Rajgir, and Vaishali. 

Buddhism in India

• Buddhism began about 2,600 years ago in India as a life-changing way of living.
• It's a very important religion in South and Southeast Asian countries.
• The religion is based on the teachings and life of Siddhartha Gautam, who was born in 563 BCE.
• He was born into the royal lineage of the Sakya clan, ruling from Kapilvastu in Lumbini, near the border of India and Nepal.
• Gautama left home at 29, giving up his wealthy life for intense self-discipline.
• Gautama became enlightened under a pipal tree in Bodhgaya, Bihar, after 49 days of meditation.
• A pilgrimage is a significant journey in religion and spirituality, often to a sacred site or shrine important to a person's beliefs and faith.

Buddhist Places in India

Patronage of Buddhism

Ancient Period

• Emperor Ashoka: Spread Buddhism through his messages and supported Buddhist groups and teachers.
• King Kanishka: Led the Fourth Buddhist Council and helped grow Mahayana Buddhism.
• King Milinda: A Greek king who converted to Buddhism and followed Nagasena.

Mediaeval Period

• Pala Dynasty: Ruled Bengal and supported the growth of Mahayana Buddhism and universities like Nalanda and Vikramshila.
• Srivijaya Empire: A Southeast Asian maritime empire that spread Buddhism in Indonesia and Malaysia.

Modern Period

• Dalai Lama: Leader of Tibetan Buddhism, known for promoting Buddhism and Tibetan culture worldwide.
• Chulalongkorn, King of Siam: Supported the revival of Buddhism in Thailand and established the Buddhist Institute.
• B. R. Ambedkar: Indian social reformer who embraced Buddhism and fought for the rights of Dalits through Buddhism.

Important Buddhist travellers and scholars

• Fa-Hien: A Chinese monk who visited India in the 4th-5th century CE and wrote about his travels in "Record of Buddhistic Kingdoms".
• Hsuan Tsang: Another Chinese monk who journeyed to India in the 7th century CE and studied at Nalanda University. He documented his experiences in "Great Tang Records on the Western Regions".
• I-tsing: A Chinese monk who also visited India in the 7th century CE, studied at Nalanda University, and wrote about his travels in "A Record of Buddhist Practices Sent Home from the Southern Sea".
• Kumarajiva: An Indian scholar who went to China in the 4th century CE and helped translate Buddhist texts from Sanskrit into Chinese.
• Important Buddhist scholars: Nagarjuna, Asanga, Vasubandhu, Dignaga, Dharmakirti, Shantarakshita, Atisha, Padmasambhava, Tsongkhapa.

Buddhahood and Cycle of Buddhas

• Buddhahood is the state of perfect enlightenment achieved by a Buddha, who has attained liberation from suffering and the cycle of rebirth.
• The cycle of Buddhas suggests that there have been and will be many Buddhas throughout history.

Buddhas in the Bhadra Kalpa

Krakucchanda:

First Buddha of the current age. Emphasised moral conduct, meditation, and spiritual powers.

Kankamuni: 

Second Buddha. Born into a Brahmin family, focused on compassion and meditation.

Kasyapa (Kassapa): 

Third Buddha. Stressed ethical conduct and wisdom.

Sakyamuni (Gautama Buddha):

 Fourth and most famous Buddha. Taught the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path for enlightenment.

Maitreya:

 Future Buddha of the next Bhadrakalpa, currently residing in the Tushita heaven, expected to be reborn on Earth when the teachings of Sakyamuni are forgotten.
FAQs

1.Who was Asanga? 

Answer: Asanga was an influential Buddhist philosopher and scholar who lived in India during the 4th century CE. He is considered one of the key figures in developing the Yogacara or Vijñānavāda school of Mahayana Buddhism. 

2.Are all Buddhas identical?

Answer: While all Buddhas share the goal of liberating beings from suffering, they may differ in their specific teachings, methods, and emphasis. Each Buddha's teachings are suited to the capacities and inclinations of the beings they aim to help. 

3.Who was Gautama Buddha, and what were his teachings?

Answer: Gautama Buddha was a spiritual leader and the founder of Buddhism. His teachings emphasised the Four Noble Truths, which revolve around the nature of suffering and the path to its cessation through the Eightfold Path.

4.What is the significance of Bodhgaya in the history of Buddhism?

Answer: Bodhgaya is revered as the place where Gautama Buddha is believed to have attained enlightenment under the Bodhi Tree. It is considered one of the holiest sites in Buddhism and a major pilgrimage destination for Buddhists worldwide.

5.How did the spread of Buddhism influence various Asian cultures and societies?

Answer: The spread of Buddhism influenced various cultures by promoting values such as non-violence, compassion, and mindfulness. It impacted art, architecture, literature, and societal structures, fostering the development of unique Buddhist traditions across Asia.

6.What are some notable Buddhist monasteries or universities, and what role did they play in the development of Buddhism?

Answer: Nalanda and Vikramshila were prominent ancient Buddhist universities in India, known for their contributions to Buddhist philosophy, art, and literature. They facilitated the exchange of ideas and the preservation of Buddhist teachings, significantly influencing the development of Buddhism in the region.

7.Who were some of the significant figures in the history of Buddhism, and what contributions did they make to the religion and its philosophy?

Answer: Nagarjuna, known for his teachings on the Middle Way philosophy, and Asanga and Vasubandhu, who played crucial roles in the development of Mahayana Buddhism, are some key figures. Their contributions include the refinement of Buddhist doctrine and the propagation of new schools of thought within Buddhism.