Religion & Cultural Vocabulary: Shramana, Bhakti & Sufi Terms
Buddhism and Jainism Lexicon
Buddhism and Jainism Lexicon
| Buddhist Sects (Theravada, Mahayana, Vajrayana) | - Theravada (Hinayana): orthodox; Buddha as teacher, Pali texts, rejects idol worship - Mahayana: theistic; Buddha as deity, Sanskrit texts, worships Bodhisattvas & idols - Vajrayana: Tantric school; magical formulas, symbols, ritual practices |
| Bodhisattvas (Avalokiteshvara, Manjusri, Maitreya) | - Avalokiteshvara (Padmapani): lotus bearer, compassion - Manjusri: sword bearer, wisdom - Maitreya: Future Buddha, will restore Dharma |
| Sacred Architecture (Stupa, Chaitya, Vihara) | - Stupa: hemispherical mound enclosing relics of Buddha/disciples - Chaitya: rock-cut or structural prayer/worship hall containing stupa - Vihara: residential hall or monastery for monks |
| Buddhist Mudras (Hand Gestures) | - Bhumisparsha: Earth touching witness of truth, victory over temptation - Dharmachakra: Wheel of Dharma, first sermon at Sarnath - Abhaya: raised hand, fearlessness & protection - Varada: downward palm, charity & granting boons |
| Jaina Philosophy & Sects | - Philosophy: *Anekantavada* (pluralism/manifold reality), *Syadvada* (relative judgment) - Sects: *Digambara* (sky-clad/naked, orthodox) vs *Shvetambara* (white-clad) |
| Jaina Practices & Tirthankaras | - *Sallekhana / Santhara:* spiritual practice of fasting to death to cleanse karma - *Kevala Jnana:* omniscience, highest knowledge & liberation - *Tirthankaras:* 24 spiritual teachers (1st: Rishabhanatha, 23rd: Parshvanatha, 24th: Mahavira) |
Bhakti and Sufi Synthesis
Bhakti and Sufi Synthesis
| Bhakti Classification: Alvars & Nayanars | - Alvars: South Indian Vaishnavite saints (Vishnu worshipers) - Nayanars: South Indian Shaivite saints (Shiva worshipers) |
| Bhakti Division: Saguna & Nirguna | - Saguna: devotion to God with attributes/form/incarnation (Mirabai, Tulsidas, Chaitanya) - Nirguna: devotion to formless absolute God (Kabir, Guru Nanak) |
| Bhakti Concepts (Kirtan, Guru-Shishya) | - *Kirtan:* devotional group singing of hymns (popularized by Chaitanya Mahaprabhu) - *Guru-Shishya Parampara:* spiritual lineage & transmission from master to disciple |
| Sufi Orders: Chishti & Suhrawardy | - Chishti Order: founded by Moinuddin Chishti in India; poverty, simple living, devotional music (*Sama*) - Suhrawardy Order: orthodox; accepted state patronage, wealth, court offices |
| Sufi Vocabulary (Khanqah, Ziyarat, Fana) | - *Khanqah:* hospice/monastery for Sufi saints & travelers - *Ziyarat:* pilgrimage to tombs (*dargahs*) of Sufi saints - *Fana:* spiritual annihilation of ego, union with Divine |
UPSC Recall & Traps
UPSC Recall & Traps
| Chaitya vs Vihara Trap | - Chaitya = place of **worship** (contains Stupa); Vihara = **monastery/residence** for monks |
| Bhumisparsha Mudra Meaning | - Buddha touching earth to witness purity (Gupta Sarnath sculpture context) |
| Future Buddha Identity | - **Maitreya** = future Bodhisattva |
| Anekantavada Affiliation | - Strictly **Jain** doctrine (NOT Buddhist middle path) |
🖼️ Supplemental Asset Directory
Supplemental Asset Directory
- Elephanta Trimurti: Iconographic Excellence:
