Context

• Archaeological Survey of India’s superintending archaeologist D B Garnayak and his team has discovered significant Buddhist remains during renewed excavations at Ratnagiri site in Jajpur, Odisha.

Artifacts found at Buddhist complex in Ratnagiri

• Colossal Buddha head (3-4 feet tall)
• A massive palm (5 feet)
• Monolithic elephant of 5 feet in length and over 3.5 feet in height.
• Multiple stone images of Lord Buddha
• An ancient brick wall
• Monolithic and masonry votive stupas along with an assortment of brick and stone structures
• Various artefacts, pottery, inscribed stones, beads, and stone pillars.
• The Unearthed Buddhist monastery dates back to 8th century AD, built under the patronage of Bhaumakura dynasty of ancient Odisha between the 8th and 11th centuries.

Ratnagiri site

• Location: Between Brahmani and Birupa rivers.
• Last excavated from 1958 to 1961 by the ASI under the guidance of eminent archaeologist Debala Mitra.
• Part of the Diamond Triangle of Odisha, along with Udaygiri and Lalitgiri.
• Rival to Nalanda as a site of Buddhist learning
• Some of the Tibetan texts regard that the Mahayana and Tantrayana sect of Buddhism originated from Ratnagiri.
• Known as "Hill of Jewels" in ancient times.
• Mrs. Debala Mitra wrote book titled “Ratnagiri”.

Relation of Buddhism with Odisha

• During the 8th Century -10th Century AD under Bhauma Kara dynasty rule, Buddhism was considered a state religion of Odisha.
• It is believed that the first disciples of Lord Buddha were Tapasu and Bhallika who hailed from Jajpur.
• Odisha’s famous poet Jayadeva, described Lord Buddha as one of the incarnations of Lord Vishnu in the 12th century AD.
• Writings of Chinese Traveler Hiuen T’sang reinforces the glorious chapter of Buddhism in Odisha.

About Lord Buddha

• Belongs to Sakya Clan
• Founder of Buddhism
• Buddha is also called Sakyamuni or Tathagata.
• Parents: Suddhodana and Maya
• Birth: 6th century BC on Vaisaka Purnima in the Lumbini, Kapilvastu
• Married to Yashodhara and had a son Rahula
• Enlightenment: At the age of 35 on Vaisaka Purnima in Bodh Gaya. First Sermon: Sarnath
• Mahaparinirvana: Kushinagar

About Buddhism

• Three Jewels of Buddhism: Buddha, Dhamma, Sangha
• Bodhisattva: Any person who is on the path towards Buddhahood.
• Four Noble Truths
  • The truth of suffering
  • The truth of the cause of suffering
  • The truth of the end of suffering
  • The truth of the path to the end of suffering
• Noble Eightfold Path
  • Right understanding (Samma ditthi)
  • Right thought (Samma sankappa)
  • Right speech (Samma vaca)
  • Right action (Samma kammanta)
  • Right livelihood (Samma ajiva)
  • Right effort (Samma vayama)
  • Right mindfulness (Samma sati)
  • Right concentration (Samma samadhi)

Buddhist Councils

Tripiṭaka

• Sutta Piṭaka (Sermons of Buddha)
• Vinaya Piṭaka (Rules or discipline of the sangha)
• Abhidhamma Piṭaka (Systematic analysis of Buddhist philosophical concepts)

Schools of Buddhism

• Hinayana (Lesser Path)
  • Scriptures are in Pali
  • Patronized by Ashoka, doesn’t believe in idol worship.
• Mahayana (Greater Path)
  • Two main philosophical schools: Madhyamika & Yogachara.
  • Scriptures are in Sanskrit.
  • Considers Buddha as God and worships idols of Buddhas & Bodhisattvas.
• Vajrayana (Vehicle of Thunderbolt)
  • Salvation can be attained by acquiring magical powers called vajra

Mudras in Buddhism

• Dharmachakra mudra: ‘Wheel of Dharma’
  • First sermon after his Enlightenment in the Sarnath.
• Bhumisparsha mudra: ‘earth witness’
  • Symbolizes the Buddha’s enlightenment under the Bodhi tree
• Dhyana mudra: mudra of meditation
• Abhaya mudra: Fearlessness
  • In Gandhara art, mudra used to indicate the action of preaching.