Question

What are the major centres of Buddhism?

1. Myanmar
2. Srilanka
3. Sumatra
4. Japan

• A. ii only
• B. All of these
• C. iii, iv
• D. iv only

Answer 1

Answer:

B. All of these

Buddhism

• Sri Buddha founded Buddhism. The most important of his tenets was Ahimsa.

• Buddha gave importance to one's own karma. He said that life if full of miseries and that the cause of all suffering was human desire.

• The Tripitakas, written in Pali language, comprise the main tenets of Buddhism.

• It has 3 parts- VinayaPitaka, Sutta Pitaka, Abhidharmma Pitaka

1. Vinaya Pitaka (Basket of Discipline): Contains the rules and guidelines for monastic conduct, including the code of ethics for monks and nuns. It consists of five books: Parajika, Pachittiya, Mahavagga, Chullavagga, and Parivara.

2. Sutta Pitaka (Basket of Discourse): Comprises the teachings of the Buddha, including sermons, dialogues, and stories. It is the largest and most well-known part of the Tripitaka.

3. Abhidhamma Pitaka (Basket of Special Doctrine): Focuses on the philosophical and psychological aspects of Buddhism, including the nature of reality, the self, and the path to enlightenment.

• The administrative system of 'Sanghas' were formed to spread Buddhism. Many caves, chaityas (temples), viharas (monasteries) and pillars were built.

• Myanmar, Japan, China, Srilanka, Java and Sumatra became the main centres of Buddhism. The universities of Nalanda, Taxila and Vikramasila were key centres of Buddhist teachings.

• Buddhism started to decline & lost its grandeur when it was split into two sects - the Mahayana and the Hinayana.