Syllabus: GS1/ History and Culture
Context
- PM Modi inaugurated the Grand International Exposition of Sacred Piprahwa Relics, titled “The Light & the Lotus: Relics of the Awakened One”, in New Delhi, marking the return of sacred Buddhist relics to India after more than a century.
About Piprahwa relics
- The Piprahwa relics were discovered in 1898 by British civil engineer William Claxton Peppé in Piprahwa, Uttar Pradesh.
- They are excavated from the Piprahwa Stupa—widely recognized as the ancient city of Kapilavastu, the birthplace of Lord Buddha.
- They include bone fragments, soapstone and crystal caskets, a sandstone coffer, and offerings such as gold ornaments and gemstones.
- They are believed to be associated with the mortal remains of Lord Buddha.
- An inscription in the Brahmi script on one of the caskets confirms these as relics of the Buddha deposited by the Sakya clan.
- Status: Most of these relics were moved to the Indian Museum in Kolkata in 1899 and are legally protected as ‘AA’ antiquities, forbidding their sale or removal.
- While some bone relics were gifted to the King of Siam, a portion kept by Peppé’s descendants.
Major Schools of Buddhism
- Theravada Buddhism: Focuses on individual liberation and is prominent in Sri Lanka and Southeast Asia.
- Mahayana Buddhism: Emphasises compassion and the Bodhisattva ideal, spreading across East Asia.
- Vajrayana Buddhism: Incorporates ritual practices and tantric elements, prevalent in Tibet, Bhutan, and the Himalayan region.
Core Philosophical Foundations of Buddhism
- Four Noble Truths:
- Dukkha: Life is suffering or unsatisfactory.
- Samudaya: Suffering is caused by craving and attachment (tanhā).
- Nirodha: The cessation of suffering is possible by letting go of craving.
- Magga: The path to the cessation of suffering is the Eightfold Path.
- The Noble Eightfold Path (Magga): Right Understanding/View, Right Thought/Intention, Right Speech, Right Action, Right Livelihood, Right Effort, Right Mindfulness, Right Concentration.
Relevance of Buddhism in Contemporary World
- Mental Well-being: Buddhist meditation traditions, especially Vipassana and its related forms, are widely used to manage stress, anxiety, and mental health challenges in fast-paced modern life.
- Teachings of non-attachment and humility provide an ethical response to excessive consumerism, comparison, and ego-driven living encouraged by modern society and social media.
- The Middle Way: The principle of the Middle Way encourages balanced living by avoiding extremes of indulgence and austerity.
- Compassion: The Buddhist values of karuṇā (compassion) and mettā (loving-kindness) promote empathy, moral responsibility, and peaceful coexistence in societies marked by inequality and conflict.
- Inclusive and Universal Appeal: Buddhism’s inclusive philosophy makes it relevant in pluralistic, multicultural, and democratic societies.
Source: DD News
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News In Short 05-01-2026
