Latest news with #Buddhist
Metro
5 hours ago
- Metro
I went to the world's wettest Pride parade where everyone gets soaked
I'm sitting in the police station soaking wet, still clutching my super-soaker as I drip on the tiles and wait for the officer to finish typing up my report. Not exactly how I'd expected my first day in Bangkok to end. I'd come to Thailand 's capital for Songkran, the traditional Thai New Year festival that turns the streets of the city into a giant water fight every April. I'd hoped I might dry off on the ride over, but sitting on the back of the motorbike only made me a moving target. That's the thing about Songkran, nobody is off limits. Police officers, Buddhist monks, the elderly and small children – I'd seen them all targeted with rapid-firing squirt guns and freezing buckets of water. It seems that there really are no exceptions. If you step onto the street, you're consenting to getting wet. That's why I'd put all my things into a waterproof bag. Squirting strangers as I ducked and dodged and sought out my next victim, I let my guard down only to realise I'd just become a victim myself. Feeling my bag snag on something, I turn to find the pockets zipped wide open – my second passport, money and credit cards all stolen. I glance around the crowd of saturated revellers, but whoever had taken them had already disappeared. I try my best not to let it dampen my spirits – the money was minimal, my bank cards were immediately cancelled, and my primary passport was tucked away dry in the hotel safe. But then I realised they'd taken something infinitely more valuable. My second passport had my US visa in it – my only ticket to entering the United States. This may not seem like all that big of a deal, but with a new visa likely taking months, it was about to unravel all my carefully laid plans. This year, I'm on a journey to experience Pride all over the world, and having already booked flights to San Francisco – the birthplace of Pride – and World Pride in Washington DC, I realised it was now unlikely I'd be able to go to either. But this year is also what brought me here to Thailand. On the second day of the festivities, the LGBT+ community come together to get soaked in the Songkran Pride Parade. Being robbed the night before didn't exactly fill me with joy, but if I've learned anything on this journey, it's that the queer community always know how to lift my spirits. A hidden gem Finding the parade presented a new challenge in itself. While Pride events are usually heavily documented, for this one, I struggled to find any information at all. In fact, I started to question whether it actually existed. I didn't have a start time, or an exact location, all I knew was that it took place somewhere along Silom Road. For the uninitiated, that's the beating heart of Bangkok's queer scene, but during Songkran, it becomes the centre of the party for everyone. It's easy to understand why – the queer community spill out of the bars to party in the streets, pop up stages are erected, and spontaneous K-pop choreography catches like wildfire. The raucous spectacle speaks to Thailand's acceptance of the community. The queer party is t he party, and everyone wants to be involved. Though with such wide-sweeping acceptance, queer spaces can sometimes become diluted, making us once again the minority. That's why a pride parade here is so important, it reclaims the space and tips the balance back towards centering queerness. Despite the lack of information online, it doesn't take long for me to find the festivities. I'd assumed it would be a small parade – given the fact that the streets are already so crowded – but I was pleasantly surprised to find it was quite the opposite. A dozen floats are lined up ready to depart, bubble cannons firing in all directions, rainbow fabric drenched in water and sweat as dancers perform in the sweltering heat. One drag queen has fashioned an outfit out of super-soakers, while another's make-up streams down her face as she performs on the back of a truck. The current Miss LGBT+ Thailand poses for a photo with the winners of the past four years, while Mr Bear Bangkok is soaked by his countless admirers. There's a tremendous sense of camaraderie here, and even though I'm travelling solo, I quickly feel I'm amongst friends. People approach to chat – or to attack me with their water pistols – one boy even pulls me in for a kiss after I turn his white shirt see-through. Pride Around the World Calum McSwiggan, author of Eat Gay Love, is a man on a mission. He plans to spend 2025 exploring how the LGBT+ community is celebrated everywhere on Earth: 12 months, 7 continents, 20 Prides. In an exclusive Metro series, Calum will journey from the subzero climes of Antarctica to the jewel-toned streets of Mumbai, telling the story of Pride around the world. Follow his journey on Metro, in print and on our socials to learn how Pride is celebrated around the world. Next up? A different sort of Pride, behind closed doors in Malaysia. A place for everyone It quickly becomes apparent that it isn't just the Thai community that's come to celebrate either. There are queer people from all over. There's a float decked out in Filipino flags, and one in Taiwan 's colours too. I meet people from India, Cambodia, Japan, China and Korea. I even meet some who've travelled from Malaysia, where LGBT+ identities are still considered criminal. For some, Songkran is another excuse to party, but for others, it's a form of escapism, one of the only times of year when they can truly be themselves. 'Songkran is one of the most diverse and inclusive events I've ever attended,' Taiwanese personal trainer Patrick Chen tells me as he shields his boyfriend from an incoming bucket of water. 'It's something everyone should experience at least once.' Vietnamese influencer Milton echoes this sentiment. 'It's one of the best memories I've ever made. A place where everyone – regardless of religion, language barrier, or sexual orientation – comes together to have fun and get wet. You don't need alcohol or drugs, you'd be amazed how many friends you can make by just splashing water in their faces.' Talking to people from right across the Asian diaspora helps me realise how important it is to have this space in Asia, where there are comparatively fewer spaces for the LGBT+ community. Songkran also coincides with GCIRCUIT, Asia's largest LGBT+ dance festival, giving extra incentive for people to make the journey to come here. 'We wanted to create a safe space where our community can come together from all over Asia,' Tom Tan, who founded GCIRCUIT with his partner, explains. 'From our earlier years, where sponsors weren't interested in gay events, to now having the endorsement of big brands, it's evident to see the shift in perception of our community. We're proud to keep pushing for that while championing visibility, acceptance and inclusion.' Travel Proud research shows that 63% of LGBT+ travellers prioritise destinations where they can be their authentic selves – and that's exactly what Bangkok delivers. It doesn't just welcome queerness, it soaks it in unashamed joy. Inclusive and proud There's an enormous emphasis on the trans community here, too. Thailand is the only country in Southeast Asia to have never been colonised, and as a result, its centuries old practise of trans inclusion has been preserved. While legal rights for trans people are still far from perfect, Thailand is now leading the world in areas like gender affirming care, with people travelling from all over the globe for treatment. Still, this visibility comes with a dark side. Kathoey is the term traditionally used for transfeminine people in Thailand, but the use of the westernised ' l a***oy' slur has become commonplace. While some reclaim the word, or brush it off as harmless, for others it's deeply offensive, and only contributes to segregating them further from society. With sex tourism on the rise, trans people are often objectified and fetishised, sometimes with horrifying consequences. In April, trans woman Woranan Pannacha was violently mutilated and murdered by a Chinese tourist after she refused to have sex with him. That's why it's so important to see such loud and proud trans representation in the parade. Some march for sex worker rights, with signs that read 'my pussy, my business,' while others wave flags and gleefully soak the crowd with water canons. It's still very much a celebration, but there's an undertone of protest too – and that combination, for me, is exactly what Pride everywhere is all about. By the time the parade is over, I've all but forgotten about the robbery from the night before. New friends invite me to dinner, and I remind myself that this is what this journey was always about. It's too early to say whether or not the robbery has completely derailed my plans for the rest of the year, but no matter what happens, I have no regrets in coming here. Songkran Pride is one of the best things I've ever experienced, I'm already planning on coming back. Travel guide to Bangkok Pride Getting there Thai Airways offers return fares from both London Heathrow and Gatwick starting at £683 return. Things to do (beyond Pride) S20 Festival: Combining sky-high water canons with EDM for the wettest party on Earth. Yunomori Onsen: To celebrate the water festival in a more relaxed environment, this serene bathhouse lives up to Japanese standards and is very popular with the LGBT+ community. Chatuchak Market: For super soakers, waterproof bags, and other Songkran supplies, this is one of the largest weekend markets in the world, and filled with LGBT+ owned stalls. Where to stay Ibis Styles (£) Amara Hotel Capella Bangkok (£££) These hotels all proudly display the Travel Proud badge after completing LGBT+ inclusivity training. Where to eat and drink Little Bao: A concept by LGBT+ chef and advocate May Chow, this eatery brings a modern twist to traditional Chinese comfort food. Luka Sathorn: LGBT+ owned bohemian brunch spot in the heart of Silom. Patpong Night Market: For late night eats, just steps from the queer scene.
The Mainichi
9 hours ago
- Politics
- The Mainichi
Ex-leader of Japan's junior ruling coalition partner to exit politics
TOKYO (Kyodo) -- The longtime former head of junior coalition partner Komeito, Natsuo Yamaguchi, will retire from politics after deciding not to run in the upcoming House of Councillors election, current leader Tetsuo Saito said Friday. Yamaguchi, 72, led the party -- backed by Japan's largest lay Buddhist organization, Soka Gakkai -- for 15 years from 2009, becoming its longest-serving chief since Komeito joined hands with the Liberal Democratic Party in 1999. Reflecting on his life as an upper house lawmaker representing Tokyo, Yamaguchi said at a party meeting on Friday, "Thank you for all the support I received. I hope to pass on your kindness to future generations." A popular figure among Komeito supporters, lawyer-turned-politician Yamaguchi was liked for his gentle speaking style. He stepped down as leader last year, saying, "I'm over 70 years of age, and I want to pass the baton to the next generation." He was at the helm of the traditionally pacifist party during a period in which Japan underwent major shifts in defense and security policy under successive LDP prime ministers, while also navigating economic challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic.
Indian Express
10 hours ago
- General
- Indian Express
Consonant-gods and vowel-goddesses of many Brahmi scripts
Hanuman wrote Ram's name on rocks while building a bridge to Lanka. The Mahabharata was written by Ganesha who used his tusk as his stylus. This gave rise to the community of scribes known as Kayastha in North India and Karanam in South India. To save themselves from Parashuram, many warriors became scribes and turned their swords into styluses. That's another legend on the origin of scribes. But what script did they write in? Brahmins preferred oral transmission of ideas. So did the Buddhists. Brahmins remembered the hymns composed by Rishis in a complex mode of repetition (patha). Knowledge of various subjects was transmitted as terse sentences (sutra) and rhythmic poetry (shloka). At Buddhist councils, monks would chant all that Buddha had spoken to ensure the transmission was standardised. But while Brahmins managed to keep the fidelity of Vedic hymns, many Buddhist schools emerged with many different ideas. Digambar Jains, who migrated south, argued that all oral transmission of Jain teachings was lost during a famine, and rejected what Shvetambara Jains of Magadha remembered. There was clearly a lot of tension between different monastic and religious schools (pasanda) on what their teachers said and what they did not. This may have prompted Ashoka, the Mauryan king, to adopt writing and prevent loss in transmission. The Ashokan script is popularly called Brahmi, though we do not know what it was referred to then. It is an abugida script – so there are consonants and vowels. The two are used in a creative way to generate syllables. So, it is also a syllabary script. The consonants are known as 'aksharas' (eternal sounds) and the vowels are known as 'matrikas' (mothers). Typically, the consonant is placed in the center and the vowel markings are made around the center. Interestingly the akshara is considered masculine while the matras are considered feminine. The feminine vowels are located in a circle around the masculine akshara almost like the milkmaids dancing around Krishna or the Yoginis dancing around Bhairava. This circular design, like beads on a string, is very distinct from the linear Greek script, where consonants and vowels follow one another like ants in a line. Both are written left-to-right, but in Brahmi scripts the vowels are merged with consonants, and not kept separate. They are distinct from the Semitic script. Not only are Semitic scripts written right-to-left, they are very linear, a series of hooked dashes, with minarets and dots in between, like a silhouette of an Arabian city. The Chinese, Japanese and Korean scripts are also like beads on a string – but the beads are square while the Brahmi beads are round. North Indian scripts and South Indian scripts have a common origin in Brahmi. But North Indian scripts have sharper lines because it was written using a paint brush on birch bark (Bhoja Patra). South Indian scripts were circular because they were written on palm leaves (Tada Patra) using an iron stylus. Since sharp angles with iron stylus could tear the palm leaves, scribes developed rounded letterforms. Black powder was sprinkled on the leaves to enter the etchings. In the south, the Vatteluttu (round) script and Grantha (knot) script evolved from Brahmi. Vatteluttu was used to write Tamil while Grantha was used to write Sanskrit. South Indian circular scripts traveled with Buddhist monks and Hindu merchants to Southeast Asia which is why there are local varieties of the Brahmi script, with vowels dancing in circles around consonants, and the design like a set of circular beads on a string. The Nagari script of the Gupta period split three ways – Siddham script in the east, Sharada in the north and Nagari in the west. Siddham was used in Sanskrit texts found in Tibet and in the Bengali language. The Gurmukhi script today is based on the Sharada script that was once popular in Kashmir and bears the name of the goddess of learning in the Valley. Sharada is also the name of the goddess venerated by Adi Shankaracharya in his institutions. Devanagari spread to the west and is seen in Gujarati, Hindi and Marathi. Devanagari, which was established by 1000 AD, became very popular in the 19th century. It was used in nearly 100 languages, the most popular among them being Hindi. Sanskrit, which has no script, began to be written using the Devanagari script. But it was written in other scripts too before the 19th century, something that is often forgotten today. The sister script of Devanagari, developed around 700 AD, is known as Nandinagari. It was used for Sanskrit manuscripts of the Vijayanagara Empire and by Madhva Brahmins for their texts on Dvaita Vedanta. Nandinagari does not have the long line (Shiro-rekha) as in Devanagari and so is related in some way to the south Indian circular scripts. Gujarati also removed the upper line (shiro-rekha) to make it easier to write. Many scribes created their own scripts, usually cursive (where consonants are connected to each other) for easy writing. Some examples include the Modi script used by scribes in western India, the Kaithi script used by Kayastha scribes in the north, and the Karani or Chatta script used by Karana scribes in Odia/Odisha. How are legends about Hanuman and Ganesha related to the origin of writing and scribes? How is Brahmi distinct from Greek and Semitic scripts? What is the origin of North Indian and South Indian scripts? Why did South Indian scripts evolve to become more rounded? Which scripts evolved from the Nagari script during the Gupta period? How did material constraints, such as palm leaves or birch bark, shape the visual form of scripts? (Devdutt Pattanaik is a renowned mythologist who writes on art, culture and heritage.) Share your thoughts and ideas on UPSC Special articles with Subscribe to our UPSC newsletter and stay updated with the news cues from the past week. Stay updated with the latest UPSC articles by joining our Telegram channel – IndianExpress UPSC Hub, and follow us on Instagram and X.
Time of India
10 hours ago
- Time of India
Which new holiday destinations are UAE residents choosing this summer amid Iran-Israel tensions
Visa ease, cost savings, and flight disruptions are reshaping UAE residents' summer travel choices toward Southeast Asia and Africa/ Image generated using AI for creative and illustative purposes only Following the escalating tensions between Iran and Israel, travel patterns among UAE residents have changed significantly. With increased uncertainty in the Caucasus region, particularly countries like Georgia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan, many have cancelled or postponed their trips. In response, new budget travel trends have emerged, with a growing preference for destinations across Southeast Asia, the Far East, and parts of Africa. Flight cancellations and airspace closures over conflict-affected areas have made travellers rethink their itineraries, prioritizing safety, visa accessibility, affordability, and overall ease of travel. Instead of traditional summer hotspots, UAE travellers are now looking to destinations that offer reliable connectivity, more lenient visa policies such as visa-on-arrival or e-visas, and weather conditions suitable for relaxed, nature-oriented holidays, especially during the school break period. Leading travel agencies in the UAE, including Wisefox Tourism and Pluto Travels, have observed a strong shift in UAE residents' travel plans this summer. Agencies report a surge in demand for destinations such as Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, China, Japan, and Sri Lanka, which offer a mix of affordability, natural beauty, and visa convenience. Monsoon-season getaways are especially popular, with travellers opting for the green landscapes of Kerala, the hill stations of Himachal Pradesh, and Sri Lanka's tea estates for their cool, serene appeal. This trend is also shaped by cost factors and the current school holiday period. With simplified visa options like visa-on-arrival and e-visas, these destinations offer the flexibility and value UAE travellers are now prioritising. Top Emerging Destinations Here's a look at the places now trending among UAE holidaymakers, along with the unique experiences they offer: Thailand Known for its tropical beaches, bustling night markets, and ancient temples, Thailand is a perennial favourite. It offers excellent value for money, convenient travel options, and a wide variety of experiences ranging from adventure sports to cultural tours. Cities like Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and Phuket offer everything from budget hostels to luxurious resorts. Vietnam With its scenic landscapes, historical cities, and delicious street food, Vietnam offers a rich cultural experience. Popular stops include Halong Bay, Hoi An, and Ho Chi Minh City. The country also boasts affordable accommodations and food, making it ideal for budget-conscious travellers. Laos A quieter alternative in Southeast Asia, Laos is known for its laid-back charm, French-colonial architecture, Buddhist monasteries, and river cruises along the Mekong. It appeals especially to travellers seeking serenity and unspoiled natural beauty. China While China is gaining attention for its vast array of attractions, from the Great Wall and ancient cities like Xi'an to modern hubs like Shanghai and Beijing, it also offers mountain retreats, traditional villages, and rich culinary experiences. UAE citizens do not need to apply for a visa and can stay in China for up to 30 days, making travel to this diverse destination easier and more accessible. Japan Japan is appreciated for its blend of tradition and modernity. With excellent public transport and high safety standards, it attracts families and solo travellers alike. Destinations like Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka offer temples, gardens, futuristic tech, and unique cuisine. Sri Lanka Sri Lanka is attracting those looking for cool, green, and rainy getaways. Tea plantations in the central highlands, historic cities like Kandy, and beach towns like Galle provide a mix of culture and nature. The monsoon season adds to the experience for travellers who enjoy cooler weather and lush surroundings. India India's diverse geography is drawing interest, particularly regions that thrive during the monsoon. Kerala offers backwaters, rain-soaked greenery, and Ayurvedic retreats. Himachal Pradesh provides cool hill stations like Manali and Shimla. These destinations offer a calming escape from summer heat and crowds. African Regions Parts of Africa are seeing increased bookings. These destinations are becoming popular for their nature-based tourism, safari experiences, cultural heritage, and budget-friendly travel packages. Eased visa processes are also contributing to their appeal. Key Reasons for the Shift in Travel Choices Flight disruptions to Georgia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan due to the conflict Increased safety concerns around the Middle East and Caucasus Visa-friendly options like e-visas and visa-on-arrival services in Asia and Africa Cost-effectiveness, especially in Southeast Asia Favorable weather, particularly for those seeking cooler or monsoon-climate holidays School holidays, prompting families to find destinations that are both enjoyable and affordable As regional instability affects traditional travel patterns, UAE residents are quickly adapting. With many turning to Asia and Africa for their summer holidays, these new preferences are reshaping the tourism market, opening up opportunities for richer, more affordable travel experiences.
Indian Express
11 hours ago
- General
- Indian Express
Mains answer practice — GS 1 : Questions on significance of the triratna and temple architecture (Week 107)
UPSC Essentials brings to you its initiative for the practice of Mains answer writing. It covers essential topics of static and dynamic parts of the UPSC Civil Services syllabus covered under various GS papers. This answer-writing practice is designed to help you as a value addition to your UPSC CSE Mains. Attempt today's answer writing on questions related to topics of GS-1 to check your progress. 🚨 Click Here to read the UPSC Essentials magazine for June 2025. Share your views and suggestions in the comment box or at Discuss the major structural and decorative differences between the Nāgara and Drāviḍa temple traditions. Explain the significance of the triratna ('Three Jewels') in the quest of nibbāna. Explain how Buddha, Dhamma, and Sangha interact as interconnected underpinnings of the Buddhist path. Introduction — The introduction of the answer is essential and should be restricted to 3-5 lines. Remember, a one-liner is not a standard introduction. — It may consist of basic information by giving some definitions from the trusted source and authentic facts. Body — It is the central part of the answer and one should understand the demand of the question to provide rich content. — The answer must be preferably written as a mix of points and short paragraphs rather than using long paragraphs or just points. — Using facts from authentic government sources makes your answer more comprehensive. Analysis is important based on the demand of the question, but do not over analyse. — Underlining keywords gives you an edge over other candidates and enhances presentation of the answer. — Using flowcharts/tree-diagram in the answers saves much time and boosts your score. However, it should be used logically and only where it is required. Way forward/ conclusion — The ending of the answer should be on a positive note and it should have a forward-looking approach. However, if you feel that an important problem must be highlighted, you may add it in your conclusion. Try not to repeat any point from body or introduction. — You may use the findings of reports or surveys conducted at national and international levels, quotes etc. in your answers. Self Evaluation — It is the most important part of our Mains answer writing practice. UPSC Essentials will provide some guiding points or ideas as a thought process that will help you to evaluate your answers. QUESTION 1: Discuss the major structural and decorative differences between the Nāgara and Drāviḍa temple traditions. Note: This is not a model answer. It only provides you with thought process which you may incorporate into the answers. Introduction: — Indian temple architecture follows two main traditions: Nāgara (northern) and Draviḍa (southern). — In addition to these two, Indian art treatises discuss a third sort of construction tradition known as the 'Vesara' or hybrid. The etymological meaning of the term has led researchers in the past to interpret this category as a synthesis of northern and southern artistic traditions and to identify it with the geographically appropriate Deccan region. Body: You may incorporate some of the following points in your answer: Nagara or North Indian Temple Style — Nagara is a temple building style that rose to prominence in northern India. In North India, it is typical to construct an entire temple on a stone platform with steps going up to it. — The earliest temples had only one tower, or shikhara, whereas later temples had multiple. The garbhagriha is always situated right beneath the tallest structure. — Nagara temples are divided into various categories based on the shape of the shikhara. The various components of the temple are known by different names in different parts of India; nevertheless, the plain shikhara is the most prevalent. — The phamsana is the nagara order's second primary architectural form. Phamsana buildings are often larger and shorter than Latina buildings. Their roofs are made up of many slabs that slowly rise to a single point above the core of the building, as opposed to Latina roofs, which appear to be sharply rising towering towers. — The third major kind of nagara buildings is known as the valabhi type. These are rectangular structures with roofs that rise into vaulted chambers. The vaulted chamber's edge is rounded, similar to the bamboo or wooden waggons hauled by bullocks in ancient times. They are commonly known as 'wagonvaulted buildings'. Dravida or South Indian Temple Style — The Dravidian temple is encircled by a compound wall. The front wall has an entrance gateway in the centre, known as a gopuram. In Tamil Nadu, the main temple tower, known as vimana, is shaped like a stepped pyramid that rises geometrically, as opposed to North India's bending shikhara. — In South Indian temples, the term'shikhara' refers only to the crowning part at the top of the temple, which is typically formed like a tiny stupika or an octagonal cupola—this is analogous to the amlak and kalasha of North Indian temples. To read more: How Indian temple architecture is rooted in art, religion, and politics Conclusion: — The evolution of Indian temple building is based on a complex interplay of art, religion, politics, and culture. While it began modestly, it grew into a sophisticated tradition that differed by region while maintaining a consistent cultural character. — Temples were frequently visited by powerful monarchs to worship their preferred deity while also asserting, consolidating, and legitimising their rule over an existing or new area. Rajaraja Cola, for example, constructed the Thanjavur Brihadesvara temple to demonstrate his authority over the region. — Kanchipuram, Thanjavur or Tanjore, Madurai, and Kumbakonam are the most well-known temple cities in Tamil Nadu, where temples served more than only religious purposes from the seventh to the twelfth centuries. Temples grew into prosperous administrative centres, governing enormous tracts of territory. (Source: How Indian temple architecture is rooted in art, religion, and politics, Points to Ponder Read more about Indian Temples Read about important temples in news in India Related Previous Year Questions How will you explain that Medieval Indian temple sculptures represent the social life of those days? (2022) Chola architecture represents a high watermark in the evolution of temple architecture. Discuss. (2013) QUESTION 2: Explain the significance of the triratna ('Three Jewels') in the quest of nibbāna. Explain how Buddha, Dhamma, and Sangha interact as interconnected underpinnings of the Buddhist path. Note: This is not a model answer. It only provides you with thought process which you may incorporate into the answers. Introduction: — Buddhism, founded on Siddhartha Gautama's or Buddha's teachings, lays forth the road to nibbana (freedom). The Buddha, Dhamma, and Sangha are the three jewels of Buddhism, and they are important to this path. — These three, also known as the tisarana (threefold refuge), are places of sanctuary for Buddhists, both laity (upasakas/upasikas) and monastics. Body: You may incorporate some of the following points in your answer: — The Buddha is the first and most fundamental of the three refuges. He is renowned as an awakened teacher who discovered and spread the road to liberation. — In Buddhism, Dhamma refers to the Buddha's teachings, which are based on the ariya sacchani or four noble truths and the atthanga magga or eightfold way. It describes ethical behaviour, discipline, and wisdom as the pillars of an individual's development. Impermanence (anichcha) is a key concept in the Buddha's teaching in this regard. — In the framework of a person's life and existence, no force in the cosmos can avert the unavoidable. As Siddhartha discovered on his first visit outside the palace, the beginning of old age, disease, and death is unavoidable. As a result, the conceptions of 'I','me', and'self' are ever-changing and comprised of a variety of experiences. — This idea is intimately related to Buddhism's rejection of anything permanent, including the soul or atman. Buddhism offers the doctrine of anattā (non-self), which holds that there is no permanent self or essence within beings or occurrences. This principle is expressed through a discourse between King Milinda and monk Nāgasena from Milindapañhā. — In Buddhist teachings, the Dhamma is sometimes compared to a raft, a powerful metaphor utilised in the Majjhima Nikaya. The book depicts a man who comes across a big river in flood. The shore he stands on is perilous and filled with terror, yet the far shore appears safe. However, there is no bridge or boat to help him cross the river. — After the Buddha and the Dhamma, the Sangha is the third jewel of the triratna. The Sangha is Buddhism's monastic organisation, created during the Buddha's lifetime. It was the central institution for disseminating the Buddha's teachings. — The Sangha's regulations specify aspects of monastic life, such as what its members should eat, how they should speak and walk, what they should dress, and how they should behave. These regulations also establish standards for settling conflicts and establishing the relationship between the Sangha and the laity. The Vinaya Pitaka also details the monks' first travelling lifestyle and ultimate transition to fixed dwelling. (Source: Three jewels that shape Buddhist philosophy and way of life) Points to Ponder Read about Vinaya Pitaka, Milindapañhā Read more about Buddhism Related Previous Year Questions Early Buddhist Stupa-art, while depicting folk motifs and narratives successfully expounds Buddhist ideals. Elucidate. (2016) Pala period is the most significant phase in the history of Buddhism in India. Enumerate. (2020) UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 3 (Week 106) UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 3 (Week 107) UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 2 (Week 106) UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 2 (Week 107) UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 1 (Week 106) UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 1 (Week 105) Subscribe to our UPSC newsletter and stay updated with the news cues from the past week. Stay updated with the latest UPSC articles by joining our Telegram channel – IndianExpress UPSC Hub, and follow us on Instagram and X.
