| Publication |
2014.
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| Summary/Abstract |
When the society was on turmoil and the individual was in a state of fix on account of the prevalence of numerous views with regard to the different aspects of life, Gautarna, the Buddha made the world aware of an ethical means to get rid of suffering and the attainment of Eternal bliss. Buddhism originated in 6"' century B.C.E.' beneath the Bodhi-tree was disseminated by Siddehartha Gautam, the Buddha and his contemporary disciples in the different nook and comer of Ancient India 'for the good of the many, for the happiness of the many, out of compassion for the world". Later, the Indian merchants trading in the foreign lands, and the missionaries dispatched by the Mauryan King Asoka carried and introduced it beyond the frontier of ancient India, the land of its origin. It originated in the backdrop of spiritual unrest and intellectual ferment in the country. During that period the Brahmajalasutta records the prevalence of sixty-two views' related to the difference aspects of human existence while the Samafi?aphalasutta enumerates the views of six heretical thinkers - Pakkuddha Kaccana, Makkhali Gocala, Ajita Kesakambli, Purana Kassapa, Niganmha Namaputta, and Safijaya Velammhiputta', who were cotemporary to the Buddha. These views were, though conflicting in themselves, deeply rooted in the psyche of the people. Contradictions existing "in these views were perplexing the people and complicating their life. In no way these views were providing any comfort, peace and happiness to them. Rather, a natural question crept in their mind as to which of them was true, and how could one attain the eternal bliss?
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