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Buddhist Religious Studies [For Class VI] Prescribed by the National Curriculum and Textbook Board as a Textbook for class VI from the academic year 1997 Buddhist Religious Studies [For Class VI] Translated by Nipul Kanti Barua Sudatta Barua Edited By Subrata Barua Mrs. Nurjahan Begum National Curriculum and Textbook Board, Dhaka. Published by The National Curriculum and Textbook Board, 69-70, Motijheel Commercial Area, Dhaka-1000 [All rights reserved by the Publisher] First Edition : 1997 Reprint : 2007 Computer Compose Asan Printing Press Cover Design : Md. Abdul Halim Illustration Showkatuzzaman Design NCTB, Dhaka Website version developed by MARS solutions Limited PREFACE Next textbooks at Junior Secondary and Secondary levels were introduced in the early 80’s in the light of the recommendations of the National Curriculum and Syllabus Committee formed in 1975. Although more than a decade has elapsed, no major attempts were made to modify and revised the curriculum and develop new textbooks to meet the changing socio-economic needs of the country and to incorporate advanced scientific and technological of the contemporary world. In this context, the Government took a comprehensive programme to modify and reform the time- old curricula: and syllabi of Junior Secondary, Secondary and Higher Secondary stages of education in 1994-1995. The broad aims and objectives of the modified curriculum are: to raise the standard of our education upto international level, to enable the students to acquire newer knowledge, to inculcate in them religious, moral and social values, and equip them with such skills that hell) them in self-employment. New textbooks for classes VI to X were developed in accordance with the modefication and renewed curriculum and syllabus. These books were first introduced in classes VI and IX in 1996 and those for classes VII and VIII were introduced in 1997. As usual these textbooks are written in Bengali. In compliance with the Government decision of allowing the students to study in English medium also, National Curriculum and Textbook Board, for the first time in its history, undertook the task of preparing English version of the existing textbooks of different subjects for classes VI to X. This book Buddhist Religious Studies’ for class VI is the English version of the original textbook entitled “Bouddha Dharma Shiksa” written in Bengali. The work of translation, editing and printing were done rather in haste so as to make the book available to the students in time. Inspite of sincere efforts some inadvertent errors and omissions may be found in the book. As curriculum development is ‘a continuous process, our efforts will continue to make the book free from these errors and improve accordingly in the next edition. In this respect positive advice and constructive suggestions from any quarter will be highly appreciated. May sincere thanks and gratitudes are due to those who were involved in translating, editing printing the book. May thanks are also due to Higher Secondary Education Project for their financial assistance and cooperation in this work. All efforts will be deemed fruitful if the teachers and students are benefited by the book. Prof. Md. Mostafa Kamal uddin Chairman National Curriculum and Textbook Board, Dhaka Contents Chapter Subject Page Chapter One Goutama Buddha and his love for the living 1 beings Chapter Two Worship 14 Chapter Three Precepts 20 Chapter Four The Sutta and the moral verses 29 Chapter Five The Four Noble Truth 39 Chapter Six Religious Functions 44 Chapter Seven The Four Holies Places of Pilgrimage 54 Chapter Eight Holy Lives 64 Chapter Nine Jataka 78 Chapter Ten The First Council 96 Chapter Eleven Buddhism in Bangladesh 102 CHAPTER ONE GOUTAMA BUDDHA AND HIS LOVE FOR THE LIVING BEINGS A great number of years ago. Siddhartha Goutama, the prince, was born in 623 B. C. His father Suddhodana was the King of the Shakya clan. Mahamaya, the queen, was his mother. Siddhartha was born to Mahamaya in the Lumbini grove on her way to parent's home. Mahamaya passed away just seven days after the birth of Siddhartha. Then Mahaprajapati Goutami, the second wife of Suddhodana and the younger sister of Mahamaya,, took the responsibility of Siddhartha. Goutama was another name of Siddhartha after Mahaprajapati Goutami as he was brought up by her. Besides, having been born in the Shakya clan he was also known as Shakysingha. The Royal Astrologers prepared the horoscope of the new born child Siddhartha. They marked Thirty two kinds of spiritual signs in him. The Astrologers, however, predicted that the new born Prince might become either the Greatest King or the most Spiritual man- of profound wisdom. His name and fame would be focused throughout the world as a Great master. Since then King Suddhodana was always afraid of his sons renunciation as a mendicant. So he arranged all sorts of amusements for the Prince to keep him deeply absorbed in worldly pleasures. He tried all his best to see the Prince happy in all respects. Siddhartha Goutama was trained in- all trades needed by a Prince including general education and armoury. The King thus left no stone unturned so that Goutama might never come in touch with sorrows and sufferings. Siddhartha grew up day by day. But his father King Suddhodana was much worried to remember the prediction made earlier by the Astrologers. He discussed the matter with his Councellors and came to a decision that the Prince should be given in marriage. Before marriage, according to the rules ' valid among the Kshatriyas, the Prince had to prove his knowledge and the command over the techniques of armoury. And he became successful in all the tests one by one. Then 2 Buddhist Religious Studies the marriage of the Prince was held with his cousin Gopadevi, the Princess of Devadaha. Thus the King Suddhodana got relief from all anxieties. Days, months and years passed in this way. But the mind of the Prince was IJ peaceless. "Why is there no peace of my mind?" he asked himself, "where may peace be found?" At the age of 29 an important incident occured in his life. One day he went out for a visit to the garden of the Kingdom. Ascending on a chariot prepared by Channa, he at first went to the East. Meanwhile, King Suddhodana passed an order arround his Kingdom to keep everywhere of the garden fully cheerful so that no ugly happenings were observed by the Prince during his visit. Goutama felt the world to be free from all kinds of Sorrows and sufferings, mourning and frustrations. But all of a sudden, he found an old man and said 9 to the charioteer, "who is he, Channa?" "An oldman,"'he replied. Goutama again asked, "will every body grow old and so shall we too?" 'Yes’ said Channa, "We too should have to reach the state like that oldman." All at once Goutama asked Channa to turn the chariot towards the Palace without proceeding further. The second day he paid his visit to the south accompanied by his favourite cherioteer Channa. The garden of the Kingdom was full of joy and merriment. Suddenly he found a sick man severely sufering from pain. He asked Channa to stop the chariot and said to him, 'Who is that man suffering from severe pain?" "`The man is sick," said Chanmi. "He is suffering from disease." Goutama then asked, `Will I have to face such sufferings?' Will my dear Gopadevi suffer like the man too?" Buddhist Religious Studies 3 ‘All living beings on earth must suffer from disease,' replied Channa. Goutama stopped there and returned. On the third day he went to the West of the garden and found a dead body borne by four men and they were followed by some others crying and lamenting. Goutama then said, "Who is that person and why are the other people crying, Channa?" In rcp1y Channa said, 'He is a dead man. Death is the ultimate destination of human life. No body can escape death." Goutama returned to the palace this time too. Last of all he went to the North and met a young mendicant. Goutama asked Channa, 'Who is he'? "He is a mendicant who has renounced from home-leaving his parents and all other relatives forever" replied Channa. Goutama felt that the, mendicant was the happiest man in the world. He found his own reflection in the life of the foresaken mendicant. He asked Channa to drive back the chariot towards the Palace. He then thought himself, "Human life is full of sufferings, all human beings must grow old and thereafter have to embrace death. No body can escape from the cycle of birth and death. So 1 must have to attain salvation from this cycle. But how? It is not possible living a worldly life. I, therefore, have to detach myself from all worldly affaires." Goutama came back to the Palace. In the mean time, his son Rahula was born. The new born child made him extremely worried to be eclipsed like the moon. So he determined to renounce from the Palace leaving every thing behind. It was the Fullmoon night of Ashara. Every body in the Palace was in deep sleep. He got up from bed and asked Channa to bring the horse Kanthaka for renunciation. Channa carried out the order and saddled the horse. Before renunciation Goutama went to Gopadevi's bedroom to seek permission from 4 Buddhist Religious Studies her. He found Gopadevi sleeping with utmost happiness keeping the head of the new born child Rahula on her right arm. Goutama did not rouse her from divine sleep. Looking at a glance he came out for renunciation. The full moon of the night was adorned nicely in the sky.
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