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SSC CGL - Detailed Guide 2025

Self-Paced Course

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Religious Movements

Reference: Lucent GK, NCERT Class 6–12

Jainism

Founder & Background

  • Founder: Mahavira (24th Tirthankara)
  • Born: 599 BCE, Kundagrama (Vaishali)
  • Parents: Siddhartha (King), Trishala (Lichchhavi princess)
  • Renunciation: At age 30
  • Kevalya (Enlightenment): At age 42 under a sal tree
  • Death: 527 BCE, Pavapuri
Illustration of Early Vedic Period

Teachings

Five Vows (Mahavratas):

  1. Ahimsa (Non-violence)
  2. Satya (Truth)
  3. Asteya (Non-stealing)
  4. Brahmacharya (Celibacy)
  5. Aparigraha (Non-possession)

Three Jewels (Triratna):

  1. Right Faith
  2. Right Knowledge
  3. Right Conduct
  • No belief in God or creator.
  • Belief in soul (jiva) and karma.

Sects of Jainism

Sect Features
Shwetambar White-clad, support temple worship
Digambar Sky-clad (nude), reject possessions

Jain Councils

Council Place Year Outcome
1st Patliputra ~300 BCE Teachings compiled orally
2nd Vallabhi ~512 CE Texts written down in scriptures

Contributions: Temples (Dilwara, Shravanabelagola), Symbols (Swastika, Ahimsa hand), Language (Prakrit)

Buddhism

Founder & Background

  • Founder: Gautama Buddha
  • Born: 563 BCE, Lumbini (Nepal)
  • Parents: Suddhodana, Maya Devi
  • Renunciation: At age 29
  • Enlightenment: At 35 in Bodh Gaya under Bodhi tree
  • First Sermon: Sarnath – Dhammachakkapavattana
  • Death (Mahaparinirvana): 483 BCE, Kushinagar
Illustration of Early Vedic Period

Teachings

Four Noble Truths:

  1. Life is suffering (Dukkha)
  2. Desire causes suffering
  3. End desire to end suffering
  4. Follow the Eightfold Path

Eightfold Path:

  1. Right View, Intention, Speech, Action, Livelihood, Effort, Mindfulness, Concentration
  • Rejected caste system, rituals, sacrifices.
  • Focused on morality, meditation, and wisdom.

Sects of Buddhism

Sect Features Region
Hinayana Simpler, Buddha as teacher Sri Lanka, SE Asia
Mahayana Buddha as divine, rituals included China, Korea, Japan
Vajrayana Tantric practices, Bodhisattvas Tibet, Mongolia

Buddhist Councils

Council Year Location Patron Outcome
1st 483 BCE Rajagriha Ajatashatru Compilation of Sutta & Vinaya
2nd 383 BCE Vaishali Kalashoka Split into Hinayana & Mahayana
3rd 250 BCE Patliputra Ashoka Compilation of Abhidhamma
4th 72 CE Kashmir Kanishka Rise of Mahayana Buddhism

Contributions: Stupas (Sanchi), Nalanda University, Tripitakas, Pali/Sanskrit texts

Quick Revision Points

Topic Jainism Buddhism
Founder Mahavira Gautama Buddha
Belief in God No No
Soul Belief in soul No permanent soul (Anatta)
Salvation Through self-effort Through Eightfold Path
Language Prakrit Pali
Scriptures Agamas Tripitakas
Caste Rejected Rejected
Symbols Swastika, Ahimsa Wheel, Lotus
Councils 2 4

High-Yield Points

Most powerful Mahajanapada: Magadha

Capital of Kosala: Shravasti

Mahavira's Nirvana: Pavapuri

Buddha’s Enlightenment place: Bodh Gaya

First Buddhist Council: Rajagriha, under Ajatashatru

Language of Jain texts: Prakrit

First sermon of Buddha: Sarnath (Deer Park)

Jain Triratna: Right Faith, Knowledge, Conduct

Four Noble Truths: Suffering, Cause, End, Eightfold Path

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