Religious Movements

6th Century BCE: 'Second Urbanization', 'Axial Age', rise of Mahajanapadas.
Śramaṇa Traditions: Heterodox movements challenging Vedic orthodoxy.
Buddhism Founder: Siddhartha Gautama (Buddha).
Buddha's Birth: Lumbini.
Buddha's Enlightenment: Bodh Gaya (under Bodhi tree).
Buddha's First Sermon: Sarnath (Dharmachakrapravartana).
Buddha's Death: Kushinagar (Mahaparinirvana).
Four Noble Truths: Dukkha, Samudaya, Nirodha, Magga (Suffering, Origin, Cessation, Path).
Noble Eightfold Path: Right Understanding, Thought, Speech, Action, Livelihood, Effort, Mindfulness, Concentration.
Buddhist Schools: Theravada (Arhat, Pali, SE Asia), Mahayana (Bodhisattva, Sanskrit, East Asia), Vajrayana (Tantric, Tibet).
First Buddhist Council: Rajagriha, Sutta & Vinaya Pitaka, Mahakassapa.
Second Buddhist Council: Vaishali, Sthaviravada & Mahasanghika split.
Third Buddhist Council: Pataliputra, Ashoka, Abhidhamma Pitaka, Moggaliputta Tissa.
Fourth Buddhist Council: Kashmir/Jalandhar, Kanishka, Hinayana & Mahayana split, Asvaghosa.
Jainism Founder/Propagator: Vardhamana Mahavira (24th Tirthankara).
First Tirthankara: Rishabhanatha (Adinatha).
23rd Tirthankara: Parsvanatha (4 vows).
Mahavira's Enlightenment: Kevala Jnana.
Jain Five Vows (Mahavratas): Ahimsa, Satya, Asteya, Brahmacharya, Aparigraha.
Jain Doctrines: Ahimsa (non-violence), Anekantavada (multiplicity of viewpoints), Syadvada (conditional predication), Aparigraha (non-possession).
Jain Sects: Digambara (sky-clad, no women moksha), Svetambara (white-clad, women moksha).
Ajivikism Founder: Makkhali Gosala.
Ajivikism Core Doctrine: Niyati (absolute determinism/fatalism).
Charvaka/Lokayata: Materialistic, atheistic, Pratyaksha (direct perception only), hedonistic.
Mauryan Patronage: Ashoka (Buddhism, Ajivikas), Dasharatha (Ajivikas).
Kushan Patronage: Kanishka (Mahayana Buddhism).
Early Buddhist Art: Aniconic (Sanchi, Bharhut).
Iconic Buddha Art: Gandhara (Hellenistic), Mathura (indigenous).
Jain Art: Dilwara temples, Gomateshwara statue (Shravanabelagola).
Decline of Buddhism in India: Bhakti, loss of patronage, invasions, assimilation.
[VYYUHA-QUICK-RECALL] BAJA: Buddhism, Ajivikism, Jainism, Ajita Kesakambali (Charvaka).
[VYYUHA-QUICK-RECALL] 4N8: Four Noble Truths, Noble Eightfold Path.
[VYYUHA-QUICK-RECALL] 3A: Ahimsa, Anekantavada, Aparigraha (Jainism).

[VYYUHA-QUICK-RECALL] BAJA

Buddhism Ajivikism Jainism Ajita Kesakambali (Charvaka) *Usage:* This mnemonic helps remember the four main heterodox (śramaṇa) traditions that emerged in ancient India. It's a quick way to recall the key players when thinking about the 6th century BCE religious ferment. *Flashcard Prompt:* Name the four major śramaṇa traditions of ancient India.

[VYYUHA-QUICK-RECALL] 4N8

4 Noble Truths 8 Noble Eightfold Path *Usage:* This mnemonic links the two fundamental doctrines of Buddhism. The Four Noble Truths diagnose the problem of suffering, and the Noble Eightfold Path provides the solution. It's a core concept for understanding Buddhist philosophy. *Flashcard Prompt:* What are the two core doctrines taught by Buddha for liberation?

[VYYUHA-QUICK-RECALL] 3A

Ahimsa Anekantavada Aparigraha *Usage:* This mnemonic helps recall three crucial philosophical and ethical principles of Jainism. Ahimsa (non-violence), Anekantavada (multiplicity of viewpoints), and Aparigraha (non-possession) are central to the Jain path of purification. *Flashcard Prompt:* List three key doctrines of Jainism starting with 'A'.