The contemporary the buddha

Sramana tradition is the period of Intellectuals before the Buddha. Buddhism is a result of that period.

1. THE CONTEMPORARY THE BUDDHA
SRAMANA
TRADITION

Presented By
Ven.Beralapanathara Dhammarama
SIBA BABL 14-13
3
rd
Semester
Sri Lanka International Buddhist Academy

2. CONTENT
Introduction
The time of the Buddha
What is Sramana Tradition
Six Heterodox Teachers
Buddhism & Jainism
Critical viewpoint
Conclusion
References

3. INTRODUCTION
Sramana tradition is a new type of figure which is about cultivation
of mind. When comparing with Brahmanism there are some specific
differences can be seen in Sramana tradition as follows;

•Denial of creator.
•Rejection of the Vedas.
•Belief in Karma and rebirth, Samsara and transmigration of
Soul.
•Belief in attainment of Moksha through Ahimsa, renunciation
and austerities.
•No belief in sacrifices and rituals for purification.
•No belief in the caste system.

4. THE TIME OF THE BUDDHA
The Buddha was born during a period when important social and
religion, political and economic changes were occurring in central
India, and the old system of social classes was disintegrating. The
Brahman priestly class had lost much of its power. The intellectual
classes of the period were interested in the Upanishadic philosophy
which identified individual soul with cosmic principle.

People with religious interests often left their homes and became
wandering mendicants, living off alms from householders.

5. WHAT IS SRAMANA
TRADITION?.
Sramana (sanskrit) Samana in Pali means “seeker” or person who
strives.

He abandoned his home to lead a life of wondering and beginning.

He devoted himself to controlling and limiting his desires,
practicing Yoga and performing severe religious austerities in the
forest to escape death.

There was a new type of vision with above appearances
is called Sramana Tradition.

6. SIX HETERODOX TEACHERS
•Purāna Kassapa = Amoralism
•Makkhalī Gosāla = Fatalism
•Ajita Kesakambala = Materialism
•Pakudha Kacchāyana = Eternalism
•Sanjaya Bellaṭṭiputaa = Agnosticism
•Nigaṇṭha Nāthaputta = Restraint

7. BUDDHISM & JAINISM
Jainism
Jainism and Buddhism were among
the strongest of the non-Brahmanical
religions. And they share many of
same doctrines and technical terms.
The goal of Jainism is to free the soul
by overcoming the instincts and
desires the arise from the physical
body. There are two sects in Jainism
as;
I.Swethambara
II.Digambara

8. BUDDHISM & JAINISM
Buddhism
The ultimate goal of the
Buddhism is Nibbana. It means
the eradication of all distracted
thoughts from mind and attain
the Absolute Understanding.

9. CRITICAL VIEWPOINT

In Sramana Tradition there were three main groups: Issaranimmāna vāda,
Pubbekatahetu vāda, Ahetu appaccaya vāda.


There were two philosophical arguments on world and man. How was
the world originated? And, How was the man originated in the world?
These two can be known as: Parināma-vāda and ārambha-vāda.

10. CONCLUSION
By the time of the Buddha, Vedic religion had already lost most of its
power to attract people, but no new religious authority had replaced
it.
As we have seen, one of the most important questions discussed by
religious thinkers at this time was whether or not moral actions
affected the person who had performed them. If moral actions did
have affected, then the religious practitioner had to investigate how
he might break his karmic bonds and free his mind or soul.

Therefore, Sramana Tradition was a latest rationalized movement at
the time of the Buddha. Even Buddhism is its corollary.

11. REFERENCES
Primary sources
Rhys David T.W. (1903). Buddhist India, G.P. Putnam’s sons, New
York


Secondary sources
Ven. Narada.(1980), The Buddha and His Teaching, Buddha Dharma
Association Inc.


Web site
buddhism.about.com