Emergence of New Religions: Ancient History of Uttar Pradesh. The emergence of Jainism and Buddhism in 6th Century BC had a considerable effect on the then regions of Uttar Pradesh. In the sixth century B.C., Uttar Pradesh was associated with two new religions: Jainism and Buddhism.
It was at Sarnath that Buddha preached his first sermon and laid the foundations of his order, and it was in Kushinagar in Uttar Pradesh, where Buddha breathed his last.
Jainism in Uttar Pradesh
Parshwanath was the 23rd Tirthankara of Jainism. According to Jain text he was born in Varanasi. Mahaveer Swami was the 24th Tirthankar of Jainism. He was born in Vaishali (Bihar). Jainism had spread in Uttar Pradesh even before the arrival of Mahaveer Swami.
- During Kushana period, Mathura was a prosperous centre for Jains.
- Tirthankar such as Parshwanath, Sambharnath and Chandraprabha attained Kaivalya in Uttar Pradesh.
- Many evidences of Jainism have been found from Mathura.
- In Northern India, two major pilgrimage sites are located in Mathura and Ujjain.
Buddhism in Uttar Pradesh
It was founded by Gautam Buddha. He was born in 563 BC at Lumbini. His father Suddhodhana was the king of Kapilvastu. He belonged to Sakya dynasty and his mother belonged to Kosala dynasty. At the age of 35 at ‘Uruvela’ (Bodh Gaya), on the bank of river Niranjana, he attained Nirvana.
Sarnath was the place where he preached his first sermon which was called Dharmachakra Pravartana. There, he gave two elements of the holy trinity of Buddhism i.e. Dhamma and Sangha. In 483 BC, Buddha obtained Mahaparinirvana at the age 80 in Kushinagar.
- Uttar Pradesh is known as the Paalana of Buddha religion or Cradle of Buddhism. He spent more time of his work life here.
- In Buddha period, there were seven republics: Kapilvastu Shakya Sumsumar, Chunar, Kalaam of Kelputt, Koliya of Rangram, Malla of Kushinara, Malla of Pava and Moriye of Piplivana.
Other Religion In Uttar Pradesh
In Uttar Pradesh, except the Jainism and Buddhism, the God and Goddess of Brahamana religion have been found like Vishnu, Vasudeva, Surya, Durga, Laxmi, etc. Due to this, Mathura is called the birth place of sculpture of India.
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