Ancient Indian Literature, their Period and Historical importance . Part -8, BUDDHIST BOOKS (GRANTH).

                                                Buddha Bronze statue 8 - 12 century, Bihar.

2. Sutta Pitaka – 

In Bodhdharma the meaning of ‘Suttapitaka’ is Preaching or Recital of Dharma (Religion).

In this way ‘Suttapitaka’ is the set of preaches.

Through ‘Suttapitaka’ one can define the border of ‘Bodhdharma’. 

This book is divided into these 5 books and their sub parts– 

(1). Digha Nikaya – Its Suita’s are bigger then Suita’s of other Nikaya. Some Sukta are in Prose and some are in mixed form of Prose - Poetry. Most of the Sukta are rendered and related with ‘Theory and Good conduct’ of Bodhdharma, Confound of other Dharma are rebutted or contradicted.

“Mahaparinibban Sutta” is the Sub part of Digha Nikaya. Mahaparinibban Sutta is the most famous and popular Sutta of this ‘Digha Nikaya’.

In it one can get the last day’s story of ‘Great Soul Buddha’ or ‘Lord Buddha’. Subject, style of writing and language say’s that this is not the work of one person and one period. It’s a collective work of many people in a long time.  

(2). Majhim Nikaya – Sutta of this Nikaya is neither big nor small. They are medium in size. In it too there are lectures, talks and storyline on different theories of Bodhdharma. At some places Buddha is projected as Human being. But most of the places Buddha is projected as a God, empowered with divine power. This indicates that different parts of ‘Majhim Nikaya’ are written in different time frame by different people. 

(3). Sanukta Nikaya – It’s a set of one type of Sukta. In it one can get many Sukta on one subject. So this Nikaya is known as ‘Sanukta Nikaya’. In each Sanukta one can find one God, Hero or one subject. In this Nikaya too, mixed style – Prose and poetry is used. The subjects are versatile too. At some places subjects are related with Buddha, at other places God and Goddess and of different world of universe and out of universe.

(4). Angutarra Nikaya – Its sutta are in 11 Particles (Nipata). In all 11 Nipata things related with there is described, 1 to 11 are the numbers in this Nikaya. It is organised on the base of numbers.

Ex. - In 3^rd Nipata there are things related with number 3. As at one place Buddha says 3 things work secretly – Women, Mantra of Brahmin and Illusory or Pseudo Principles (Mithya Sidhant). 

The whole 3^rd Nipata is based on number 3. 

(5). KhuddakNikaya – Small books are compiled in it. These books are complete and free from each other. In subject, style and language they are different from each other. 

These are - KhuddakaPatha, DhammaPad, Udan, Itivritaka, SuttaNipata, VimanVatthu, PetVatthu, TherGatha, TheriGatha and Jataka.

Other books on KhuddakNikaya are – Niddesh, PatiSamidaMagga, Apdan, BuddhaVansa and CharyaPitaka.

3. Abhidhamma Pitaka – The meaning of ‘Abhi’ is Highest (Ucchatara). The subject of this Pitaka is Dharma but its analysis is on a different highest level. There is philosophy in this analysis. 

Its parts are – DhammaSangini, Vibhanga, DhatuKatha, PuggalPanjati and KathaVatthu. Kathavatthu is the most important part of this Pitaka. It is said that ‘MogaliPuttaTisya’ compiled this Pitaka during 3^rd Bodh Sangiti of ‘Patliputra’. It seems appendix was being added time to time.

Other books in Pali are – Milinda Panho, Deepvansa and Mahavansa.

Milinda Panho –In this book there are talks in between Indo – Greek ruler Milind (Minandar) and Bodh Monk Nagasena.  Milinda is a man of religious nature.  He wanted to clear his doubts. In his search he got into contact with Nagasena. This book is all about his doubts and Nagasena answers.  After the death of Minandar the Greek rule ended in India, but this book make a memory of Minandar or Milinda.

Deepvansa – In this book there is history of ‘Sinhala deepa’ (Sri Lanka).This book is based on extinct book “Attha Kathao”.  This book is not considered a historical book. It’s full of stories and with exaggerated matters. This book is written in 4^th – 5^th AD. This book is in Poetry form.

Mahavansa – Another book on Sinhala (Sri Lanka) is Mahavansa.  This book is written by ‘Mahanama’ in 5^th century. Style of poetry writing is better than ‘Deepvansa’. Its subject is vivid and range is wide. It is also full of stories and with exaggerated matters. But we have not to forget that we got special knowledge and details about Emperor Chandragupta from these Sinhla books.

There are some books with Comments (Tika, Bhasya).

 They are – 

a. Sumangal – Vilasani, b. Samant – Pasadika and c. Mahavansa Tika etc.

In Sanskrit Buddhist Books – 

Most books are of Mahayana but some books are of Hinayana too.

a. Mahavastu – (This book is not in pure Sanskrit).  

b. In pure Sanskrit – “Lalitvistar” means For Buddha (Mahayana) and  Manjusri MulaKalpa.

Books of Asvaghosa on Buddha – “Buddha Charitra” and “Saundrananda – Kavya”

Avdan Sahitya – Avdan means – (Satkarma) Good work or work of Bravery (Virochit karma). Famous in this category is “Divyavadana”.

Ancient Indian Literature, their Period and Historical importance . Part -7, BUDDHIST

1. Buddhist Grantha – 

 In reverse to Rigvedic people Buddha pressed for ‘NIRVANA’ or “freedom from Birth and Rebirth” and cessation or stopping of suffering. Buddha’s preaching’s or teachings are in ‘Bodh Grantha’. Buddha taught 4 noble truths.

They are -

(a). – There is suffering in the world.

(b). - This suffering has a cause.

(c). – The cause is desire, and

(d). – It is possible to put an end to suffering, if desire is removed.

To come out of these sufferings he said, one should know the ‘Right Way’ for which Buddha prescribed the 8 fold path. These are -  

(A). – Right View,

(B). – Right Resolution,

(C)  - Right Words,

(D)  - Right Action,

(E). – Right Living,

(F). – Right Effort,

(G). – Right Thinking, and

(H). – Right Concentration.

Buddha stressed upon the importance of “Middle Path” and said that one should avoid the 2 extremes of strict abstinence and self denial for spiritual discipline and too much indulgence in worldly pleasures. He preached for Ahimnsa.

After Buddha’s death or ‘Mahaparinirvana’ (Great freedom from Birth and Rebirth) 6 ‘Bodh Sangiti’ took place to solve Bodh dharma’s problem, which appeared time to time.

प्रथम बौद्ध संगीति (थेरवाद के अनुसार ५४३ – ५४२ ( ईसापूर्व) -- राजगृह में

द्वित्तीय बौद्ध संगीति (४थी शताब्दी ईसा पूर्व) --

तृतीय बौद्ध संगीति (२५० ईसा पूर्व) --

चतुर्थ बौद्ध संगीति ( दो स्थानो पर हुई थी।)

पंचम बौद्ध संगीति (थेरवाद बौद्ध संगीति (१८७१))

षष्ट बौद्ध संगीति (थेरवाद बौद्ध संगीति (१९५४)) -- यांगून ( रंगून) के 'कबा आये' में

In English - 

First (1) ‘Bodh Sangiti’ happened in BC 543 – 542 in Rajagriha, (Bihar) under the leadership of “Mahakassap”. In it 500 Bodh Monks participated. 

After 100 years of the death of Buddha, Second (2) ‘Bodh Sangiti’ took place in ‘Vaishali’ (Bihar) in 4^th century BC.

Third (3) ‘Bodh Sangiti’ took place in ‘Patliputra’ in BC 250 under the leadership of ‘MogliPutta Tisya’. Emperor Ashoka took great interest in it. ‘Deepvansa’, ‘Mahavansa’ and ‘Samant Pasadika’ describes this ‘Sangiti’.

According to Huansang Fourth (4) ‘Bodh Sangiti’ took place in ‘Kashmir’ during the period of Emperor ’Kanishka’ of ‘Kusana dynesty’. Kanishka’s period is 1^st century AD (First AD). 

‘Deepvansa’, ‘Mahavansa’ are silent on this, rest of the “Bodh ‘Grantha’ book” conforms this. 

Fifth (5) ‘Bodh Sangiti’ took place in 1871 AD, ‘Thervad Bodh Sangiti’.

Sixth (6) ‘Bodh Sangiti’ took place in 1954 AD out of India in ‘Kaba Aye’ in another country Rangoon or ‘Yangon’ (Burma).

Buddha’s teachings or Preaches is in Sanskrit and Pali language, in books; which were compiled by his followers.

These books are –

“Tripitaka” - (Tri – Three and Pitaka means Basket.) in ‘Pali’ is the most important book of Bodh Dharma.  

Wheeler and Rid Devidz have said that Pitaka means Basket, because those days manuscript in India was put into a basket with care.

In Tripitaka there are 3 books – Vinaya Pitaka, Sutta Pitaka, and Abhidhamma Pitaka.  

1. Vinaya Pitaka – It is divided in these books and their sub parts– 

(a). Sutta Vibhanga – It has 2 parts – Maha Vibhang and Bhukshni Vibhang., 

(b). Khandhakao - It has 2 parts – Mahavagga and ChullaVagga.

(C). Parivar or Parivar Path.

  ‘Rules – Regulations’ of Bodh Dharma are compiled in ‘Vinayapitaka’, which were described by ‘Buddha’ himself’. Ethics – Thoughts (Achar – Vichar), Rule of Right living (Yama – Niyama), rules to lead daily life are part of ‘Vinaya Pitaka’. 

(a). Sutta Vibhanga is the sub part of ‘Vinaya Pitaka’. The meaning of Sutta Vibhanga is ‘Sutra Par Tika’ (Commentary or explanation on Sutra). This is the commentary on ‘Patti Mokha’. 

Possibly ‘Patti Mokha’ is the variation of ‘Pratimoksha’ (against Moksha) means bondage. So it seems the subject of ‘Sutta Vibhanga’ is how to free from bondage or get rid of bondage. In this book there are laws for Buddhists, which say what are ‘Sins or work of Sin’ and how one can do atone and get rid of sin.  

This law book helped to give bondage to Buddhist religion as an organisation. It’s a rule in Bodh Dharma that common Buddhist has to regularly read this book ‘Sutta Vibhanga’ twice (2) in a month.  

In Maha Vibhanga there is ‘Patti Mokha’ for Buddhist Monks. There is one chapter each on 8 Sins for Buddhist Monks. Later on a ‘Patti Mokha’ is needed for Buddhist Nuns. Bhukkhini Vibhanga is the commentary on ‘Bikkuhini Patti Mokha’.

(b). Khandhakao – In Khandhakao there is law of Probation in detail for the Buddhist organisational life.  Compare to ‘Sutta Vibhanga’ ‘Khandhakao’ presents a more detailed, conditional, developed, vivid picture of Buddhist society and their living. 

  In ‘Mahavagga’ there are 8 chapters; in ‘ChullaVagga’ there are 12 chapters. In these books there are laws related to Buddhist daily life and Organisation. Ethics – Thoughts, Rule of Right Living, and Law of Prohibition is the part of chapters of ‘Mahavagga’ and ‘Chulavagga’. 

The difference between in these books is that important and main subjects, very important topics are taken in ‘Mahavagga’ and less important, common and general subjects are compiled in ‘Chulavagga’.  

Chulavagga’s 10th chapter is related with Buddhist Bhukhanni’s (Nuns). 11^th and 12^th chapter mentions Buddhist Sanagati’s.

(C). Parivar or Parivar Path – This book is in form of Question – Answer. This book is written later in compare to other books of ‘Vinaya Pitaka’. There are 19 sub parts of ‘Parivar or Parivar Path’.

Ancient Indian Literature, their Period and Historical importance . Part - 6, Purana.

 

Purana

8. Purana – The period of writing of Purana is BC 600 to AD 3^rd 4^th century. 

Actually Purana got its final touch in 3^rd 4^th century. 

One can get the history of India after Mahabharta war to 6^th century BC; only through “Purana”, 

(The only source of Kings and their dynesty, India’s geography, about people and other information).     

Literally the meaning of the word ’Purana’ is Ancient’ (Prachin).

 In Purana one can get ancient Indian Dharma (Religion), culture, social and political condition of the nation, science and stories, myths, legends, traditional lore etc. 

“अष्ठादश पुराणेशु व्यास्सय वचनम् द्वयम । परोपकाराय पुणयाय, पापाय परपीडणम” ।।

In all 18 Purana, great Sage Vayasa has said 2 words (वचन) - Charity (परोपकार) is sanity (पुण्य). Sadistic (परपीडन) is Sin (पाप).     

There are a lot of historical materials in Purana but one has to be careful and the evidences must be cross checked with other evidences.

The subject of ‘Purana’ is - 

(a.) - Sarg Sristi (sarga – panch maha bhuta, indriya gayana, buddhi aadi tattvon ki utpatti kaa varnana; Sristi – creation).

This way Sarg Sristi means to know the creation of 5 elements from whom the universe is made, to know the creation of Ether, Knowledge of Life science, to know the heaven.  

(b). - Pratisarga – (Jagat ke punar nirmaan kaa varnana. Dissolution (Pralaya) ke paschat punah Sristi. 

Recreation of 5 elements after dissolution or great dissolution. Creation of Ether after dissolution.
Recreation of life. Recreation of the heaven after dissolution. Recreation of New Brahma and Brahmanda (Universe), the (Sun – Moon – Stars) etc. 

(c). - Vans (Pedigree, thoroughbred descent or dynesty) - Description of dynesty of kings, Surya – Chandra vans (Sun – Moon dynesty), (Gods and Sages dynesty). 

(d) - Manvantara – Manu, manuputra, deva, saptarshi, Indra and bhagwan ke avataaron ka varnana. In each Pratisarga there was new Manu and Manuputra, Deva, Saptarshi, Indra and description of appearance of God (Bhagwan ke avataaron ka varnana).

(Avtar) - Incarnation, Appearance or Manifestation.

(e). – Vansha nucharita – (dynesty of Kings, Sages or God). Purano me pratyak vansh ke prasiddh purushon ka varnana hai.  

Markandaya, Brahmanda, Vayu, Vishnu, Bhagwat and Matasaya Purana are the oldest one. 

Rest Purana are of later period.

In Vayu, Vishnu and Matasaya Purana, there is the history of king’s dynesty. At many places the description of king’s dynesty doesn’t matches with each - other. Even they don’t match with other proofs found from other means. 

One has to be very careful while using them as proof.

There are 18 purana (Brahma, Padma, Vishnu, Shiv, Bhagwat, Naradiya, Markandaya, Agni, Vayu, Brahmavayavrta, Linga, Varaha, Skanda, Vaman, Kurma, Matasaya, Garuda, and Brahmanda.

1. - Markandaya Purana – It has 9,000 verses. This purana is named after its writer sage Markandaya, a great Sage.

This purana contains chapters on Dharma and on Hindu epic Mahabharata. 

The Purana includes ‘Devi Mahatmyam’, it is also known as ‘Durga Saptasati’ the book on ‘Shakti puja’, Prayer of energy, power (Nature Goddess in its 9 look).

2. – Brahmanda Purana – It has 12,000 verses. One of the earliest composed Purana; it contains controversial genealogical details of various dynasties.

In it one can get law codes, system of governance, administration, diplomacy, trade, and ethics. 

Old manuscripts of Brahmanda Purana have been found in the Hindu literature collections of Bali, Indonesia.

3. – Vayu Purana – In this purana there are 24,000 verses. 

This Purana praises Shiva. It also discusses rituals, family life, and life stages of a human being. 

The content in Vayu Purana is also found in Markandaya Purana.

It has described south India, particularly areas of today’s ‘Telangana and Andhra Pradesh’ regions. 

It also contains controversial genealogical details of various dynasties

4. – Vishnu Purana - In it there are 23,000 verses. This is one of the most studied and circulated Purana.

It also contains a controversial genealogical detail of various dynasties. 

Better preserved after the 17th century, but exists in inconsistent versions, more ancient pre-15th century versions are very different from modern versions, with some versions discussing Buddhism and Jainism.

Some chapters likely composed in Kashmir and Punjab region. This purana is a text on Lord Vishnu.

5. – Bhagwat Purana – There are 18,000 verses in this purana. The most studied Purana.

In it there is telling of Vishnu's Avatars (Incarnation, Appearance) and of Vaishnavism. 

It contains a controversial genealogical detail of various dynasties. 

 It Influenced and elaborated the Bhakti movement and the people of Medieval period when Sanatan or Hindu dharma was in real danger.

6. - Matasaya Purana – It has 14,000 verses. This purana is an encyclopaedia of diverse topics. 

It narrates the story of Matasaya, the first of ten major Avatars of Vishnu. 

Possibly it is composed in west India, by people aware of geographical details of the river Narmada.  

In it there is story about Brahma and Saraswati. It also contains controversial genealogical details of various dynasties.

This is the end of Brahmin Literature.                   

 

Rigvedic Aryan was full of life.

They were lover of dance, music and songs. 

 In their life there was no place of salvation (moksha). 

 They were the follower of karma or gratification. Sanayasa was (being Monk) was not their ‘cup of tea’.

Family life, its pleasure, happiness and sadness with family, race and society were part of Aryan’s life. 

Yajana, sloka, prayer was the medium through which they used to call god or make them happy. 

Everywhere in Rigveda Aryan’s prayed god to give them 100 years of life, sons, wealth, cows, and victory, no where they wished salvation (moksha). 

They always wished development in life for them and for their coming generation. 

Aryan’s were not escapist (palayanvadi); they were lover of life and great fighter. They loved life.

Sanatan Dharma Aryan considered Karma and gratification a part of their dharma or virtue to live life in a noble way, even to earn money in a righteous way. 

 If one pursues these aims rightly, one can get ‘Moksha’ or ‘Salvation’.

Vedic Aryan teaches the existence of ‘One Supreme Universal Spirit’, (Ishwar or Param Brahma). 

But Sanatan or Hindu Dharma allows people to worship in any form as s/he wishes or like. 

Thus Sanatan or today’s Hindu Dharma is henotheistic (adherence to one particular god out of several, especially by a family, tribe, or other group). 

Sanatana or Hindu Dharma with its varied doctrines, principles, philosophy and rituals gave rise to many religious (Dharma) sets within itself.

In course of time these sects developed their own way of worshiping. But the members of each sect, while following their own way, maintained a respectful approach towards the views of others.

                  Next will be Buddhist literature.