Why this matters now
Buddhism is one of the most-tested ancient-history topics — the Buddha’s life, core doctrines, the schools, the four councils, and Buddhist art (stupas, caves) recur across prelims and GS-1.
Gautama Buddha
Siddhartha Gautama (c. 563–483 BCE), born at Lumbini, renounced palace life (the Great Renunciation), attained enlightenment at Bodh Gaya (becoming the Buddha, “the enlightened one”), gave his first sermon at Sarnath (Dharmachakra-pravartana) and attained parinirvana at Kushinagar.
Four Noble Truths & Eightfold Path
The Four Noble Truths: there is suffering (dukkha); it has a cause (desire/tanha); it can be ended; and the way is the Eightfold Path (right view, intention, speech, action, livelihood, effort, mindfulness and concentration) — the Middle Path between indulgence and extreme asceticism. Buddhism rejects the Vedas, ritualism and the caste system, and is non-theistic, stressing karma and rebirth toward nirvana.
Schools, councils and spread
Four Buddhist councils (Rajgir, Vaishali, Pataliputra under Ashoka, Kashmir under Kanishka) compiled the canon (the Tripitaka) and saw doctrinal splits. The major schools are Hinayana (Theravada), Mahayana (image worship, bodhisattvas) and Vajrayana (tantric). Patronised by Ashoka and Kanishka, Buddhism spread to Sri Lanka, Central Asia, China, Tibet and SE Asia, and inspired stupa and rock-cut architecture (Sanchi, Ajanta).
UPSC angle
Know the Buddha’s life sites (Lumbini, Bodh Gaya, Sarnath, Kushinagar), the Four Noble Truths, the Eightfold Path, the four councils (Ashoka/Kanishka), and Hinayana/Mahayana/Vajrayana.
Frequently asked questions
Who was Gautama Buddha?
Siddhartha Gautama (c. 563–483 BCE), who attained enlightenment at Bodh Gaya and founded Buddhism, teaching the Middle Path to end suffering.
What are the Four Noble Truths?
There is suffering; suffering has a cause (desire); suffering can be ended; and the path to end it is the Noble Eightfold Path.
What are the main schools of Buddhism?
Hinayana (Theravada), Mahayana and Vajrayana.
Who were the major royal patrons of Buddhism?
Emperor Ashoka (Mauryan) and Kanishka (Kushana), who convened the third and fourth Buddhist councils.