The Buddha :
Also known as Sakyamuni or Tathagata.
Born in 563 BC on the Vaishakha Poornima Day at Lumbini near Kapilavastu in Nepal.
His father Suddhodhana was the Saka ruler.
His mother, Mahamaya, of the Kosala Dynasty died after 7 days of his birth. Brought up by step mother Gautami.
Married at 16 to Yoshodhara . Enjoyed the married life for 13 years and had a son named Rahula.
After seeing an old man, a sick man, a corpse and an ascetic, he decided to become a wanderer.
Left his palace at the age of 29 in search of truth ( also know as Mahabhinishkramana or the Great Renunciation and wandered for 6 years.
Attained enlightment at 35 at Gaya in Magadha (Bihar ) under the Pipal tree.
Delivered the first sermon at Sarnath where his five disciples had settled. His first sermon is called “ Dharmachakrapravartan” or “Turning the wheel of Law”.
Attained Mahaparinirvana at Kushinagar in 483 BC at the age of 80 in Malla republic.
Jainism :
Founded by Rishabha.
There were 24 Tirthankaras (Prophets or Gurus) , all Kshatriyas.
First was Rishabhnath ( Emblem : Bull)
The 23rd Tirthankar Parshwanath ( Emblem: Snake) was the son of King Ashvasena of Banaras.
The 24th and the last Tirthankar was Vardhaman Mahavira (Emblem : Lion). He was born in Kundagram (Dist : Muzaffarpur, Bihar in 599 BC.
His father Siddhartha was the head of Jnatrika clan.
His mother was Trishla, sister of Lichchavi Prince Chetak of Vaishali.
Mahavir was related to Bimbsara.
Married to Yashoda, had a daughter named Priyadarsena, whose husband Jamali his first disciple.
At 30, after the death of this parents, he became an ascetic.
In the 13th year of his asceticism, he attained supereme knowledge (Kaivalya).
From now on he was called Jaina or Jitendriya and Mahavira, and his followers were named Jains .He also got the title of Arihant.
At the age of 72, he attained death at Pava , near Patna in 527 BC.
Posted by Vishal.Kalgutkar
