Why in the news
A gift of the Tipitaka to India’s Prime Minister at the 6th BIMSTEC Summit turned attention back to Buddhism’s Indian roots and its fading from the land of its birth.
Origins
- Founder: Siddhartha Gautama (563-483 BCE), born at Lumbini, enlightened at Bodh Gaya.
- Teachings: Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path, stressing personal liberation over ritual.
- A reform movement against Vedic caste hierarchy and Brahmanical rites.
- Early patrons in Magadha: Bimbisara and Ajatashatru.
- Ashoka (3rd century BCE) spread it through state support, missions and edicts.
- First Buddhist Council (483 BCE) at Rajgir compiled the teachings.
Evolution
| Strand | Feature |
|---|
| Theravada | Original teachings; personal nirvana |
| Mahayana | Universal salvation; Bodhisattva ideal |
| Vajrayana | Esoteric; Tantra mixed with Mahayana; grew in Bengal and Bihar |
- Learning hubs: Nalanda, Vikramshila, Taxila.
- Spread along the Silk Road to China, Southeast Asia and Sri Lanka.
- Art: Sanchi Stupa, Ajanta Caves, and Gandhara art mixing Hellenistic and Indian styles.
Contributions
- Egalitarian ideals through the Sangha.
- Pali and Prakrit texts enriched literature.
- Ahimsa influenced Gandhi’s non-violence.
- Missions raised India’s soft power; viharas, chaityas and stupas shaped sacred architecture.
Reasons for decline
| Type | Reasons |
|---|
| Cultural | Buddha absorbed as a Vishnu avatar; Bhakti appeal of Rama/Krishna; Hinduism offered music, festivals and rituals while Buddhism stayed austere |
| Social | Monk-centred life clashed with family values; Shankara absorbed egalitarian elements; wealthy monasteries grew distant from ordinary people |
| Political | Gupta and Rajput rulers backed Hindu traditions; only the Pala dynasty stayed supportive; Nalanda and Vikramshila destroyed by Turkish invaders; Advaita Vedanta of Adi Shankara countered Buddhist doctrine |
Exam angle
- Council site: Rajgir; birthplace: Lumbini.
- Early patrons: Bimbisara, Ajatashatru; late patrons: Palas.
- Canonical languages: Pali and Prakrit.