Examine Contribution of Buddhism to Indian Culture? Elucidate Causes of Decline of Buddhism ?

 Buddhism was the movement that gave the greatest shock to Brahmanism. It was founded by Gautama Buddha who was a notable contemporary of Mahavira. Buddhism stood on three pillars- the ‘Buddha’ (its founder) the ‘Dharma’ (his teachings) and the ‘Sangha’ (the order of the Buddhist monks and nuns.

Examine Contribution of Buddhism to Indian Culture? Elucidate 6 Causes of Decline of Buddhism ? 

Introduction :Buddhism had made a remarkable contribution to the development of Indian Culture. The progress of Buddhism exercised considerable influence in shaping various aspects of Indian life viz., social, religious, cultural and political.

  • · The concept of Ahimsa was its chief contribution. It became one of the cherished values of India. The doctrine of Ahimsa, so strongly stressed and devoutly preached and sincerely practiced by the Buddhists was incorporated bodily in their teachings by the Brahmins of later days.

  • · With its emphasis on non-violence and the sanctity of animal life, Buddhism boosted the cattle wealth of the country. The brahmanical insistence on the fairness of the cow and non-violence was apparently derived from Buddhist teachings.

  • The practice of worshipping personal gods, making their images and erecting temples in their honour was adopted by the Hindus.

  • The principle of non-violence attracted large number of traders and artisans as trade and commerce flourish in peaceful conditions. Further money lending and commercial transactions were never considered as taboo by Buddhism. This helped in the development of trade and commerce and emergence of cities and towns. 

  • Buddhism made substantial contribution to learning and education. Buddhism created and developed a new awakening in the field of intellect and culture. The use of Pali and Prakrit for preaching the doctrines and for the compilation of Buddhist literature enormously enriched those languages. Some of the Buddhist monasteries like Nalanda and Vikramasila in Bihar and Vallabhi in Gujarat were developed as great centers of learning and attracted students from different parts of the world.

  • Buddhism made an important impact on society by keeping its doors open to all.

  • Buddhism contributed a lot in the promotion of architecture, art and painting. The first human statues worshipped in India were probably those of the Buddha. The faithfull devotees portrayed the various events in the life of Buddha in stone. The stupas at Sanchi, Barhut, Gaya and Amaravati, the stone pillars of Ashoka and the cave temples of Kanheri, Karle and Nasik were considered the best specimens of Buddhist art. 
Causes of Decline of Buddhism

After the death of Harshavardhana, Buddhism started losing its popularity and finally disappeared even from the land of its birth. Several factors were responsible for it

  1. Buddhism, in the beginning, was inspired by the spirit of reform. Gradually it succumbed to the rituals and ceremonies which initially were it attacked and denounced. After the birth of Mahayanism, the practice of idol worship and making of offerings led to the deterioration of moral standards.
  2. Pali language was used for writing the canonical literature and for preaching the gospel of the religion. Hence it maintained close touch with the masses. Gradually the Buddhist monk gave up Pali and Prakrit and took to Sanskrit. This created distance between Buddhism and the common people.
  3. The kings and wealthy people offered generous gifts and grants in the form of cash and kind for the maintenance of viharas, stupas and Chaityas. This developed laziness and transparent pleasures amongst the Buddhist monks and nuns. Thus the Buddhist monasteries lost its purity and became centres for unethical practices. 
  4. The revival of Brahmanism and the rise of Bhagavatism led to the fall of the popularity of Buddhism. Due to moral degeneration in the Buddhist Sangha and the revival of Brahmanism, many kings supported the cause of Brahamanism. The lack of royal patronage had a telling effect on the moral and material strength of Buddhism.
  5. Brahmanas, to meet the Buddhist challenge, radically reformed their religion and won the hearts of the common people. This paved the way for the emergence of Bhagavatism which represented a synthesis of orthodox and heterodox religions
  6. · Moreover, the attack of the Huns (in 5th and 6th centuries) and the Turkish invaders (in 12th century) destroyed the monasteries. Thus, Buddhism, by twelfth century A.D., practically disappeared from the land of its birth. 
conclusion: The emergence of  Buddhism exerted salutary influence on religion, society, economy, etc. But the contribution made by these heterodox religions on learning and education, art, architecture and painting was ever lasting. In fact these religions enriched the Indian Culture.

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