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] was initially established in ] and it flourished there during the early phases of its ]. After more than 1500 years, the '''decline of Buddhism in India''', caused by several factors, would lead to the virtual extinction of ] by the beginning of the ]. ] was established in the ] . Buddhism flourished in India during the early phases of its ]. However, it declined in coming centuries.


⚫ ==Political and Military Developments==
==Philosophical divergence with Adi Shankara==
In 9th century A.D. the Buddhist philosophers started to lose ground with the Hindu Saint ].Shankaracharya debated with Buddhist monks and raised issues with Buddhist philosophy.The rejection of the notion of Atman and yet the endorsement of rebirth, could not be explained by the Buddhists. The resurgence of Hinduism with the ideas of Shankaracharya led to reduction of royal patronage of the Buddhist monks.
==Integration with life in India==


Buddhism as a religion flourished in India with Emperor ] accepting it as personal faith. Ashoka also played a major part in the spread of Buddhism in Asia through religious ambassadors. Buddhism countinued to prosper in ] under the ] rule. Buddhism's spread was driven by powerful monarchs who adopted it as personal faith.
Following the reign of King ] (]-]), Buddhism had prospered quite well throughout India.However when bereft of political power, it declined. The ] king ] (around 185 BCE) was is said to have persecuted Buddhist monks (]s), setting a bounty of 100 gold coins on every Buddhist and ] monks head and the destruction of many ]. However other Sungas supported Buddhism, the stupa at ] was constructed during the Shunga period. By the 4th to 5th century Buddhism was already in decline in northern India, even as it was achieving multiple successes in ] and along the ] as far as ]. In ] it found strong ideological opposition for its monastic system. As political patronage failed it came under increasing pressure by ]ism and the revival movements of ]. ] eventually came to be ] as a manifestation of the Hindu god ].


⚫ Central Asian and North Western Indian Buddhism weakened in the ] following the ] invasion. The White Huns followed their own religions such as ], ] Christianity and ]. King Mihirkula who ruled from 515 BC supressed Buddhism destroying monastaries as far as modern-day ] before his son reversed the policy.
⚫ However, even though there was integration of ideas, the Buddhist ] was a separate world from the largely Hindu-based society. Buddhist monasteries were quite well-funded and life within was relatively easy. To avoid freeloading, many monasteries became very selective about whom they admitted, in some cases based on social class. This further cut off the sangha from Indian society.


⚫ ] reports in his travels across India during the 7th century that Buddhism was popular in ], ], and ] which today roughly correspond to the modern day Indian states of ] and ]. <ref> </ref> He also reports deserted stupas in the area around modern day ] and the persecution of Buddhists by ] in the Kingdom of ]. Xuanzang compliments the patronage of ] during this same period while noting in his travels that in various regions ] was giving way to ] and ]. <ref></ref>
In the 9th CE the ]s identified the ] as an ] of the Hindu god ] – which contradicted basic Buddhist understandings about the nature of a Buddha and of ]. ] was often revered as one of the gods, and eventually came to be ] as a manifestation of the Hindu god ].


⚫ In the North and west reigons, following ]'s reign, many small kingdoms came to power. This led to the rise of the martial ] clans across the gangetic plains and marked the end of Buddhist kingdoms. This resulted in sharp decline in royal patronage until a revival under the ] empire in the Bengal region.
⚫ ==Political and Military Developments==


⚫ By the 10th century ] defeated the Hindu-]s, effectively removing Hindu influence and ending Buddhist self-governance across Central Asia and the ]. He demolished numerous monastaries alongside temples during his raid across north-western India.
In the Indian sub-continent, ever since the 1st Century BC political opposition from neighbouring Hindu Kingdoms was severe and even in regions of a Buddhist majority one could find the ] in operation and Buddhist rulers were gradually replaced by Hindu dynasties. In political contests between Hindu and Buddhist kingdoms, Buddhist rulers were gradually replaced by Hindu ones. After the end of the ]s the ] came to power and was hostile to Buddhism and saw a brief revival under the ]s. By the 4th to 5th century Buddhism was already in decline in northern India, even as it was achieving multiple successes in ] and along the ] as far as ]. It countinued to prosper in ] under the buddhist Turki-]s. Buddhisms spread was driven by powerful monarchs who adopted and supported it, lacking political support it began to decline.


In the east under the ]s in ], Mahayana Buddhism flourished and spread to ] and ]. The ]s created many temples and a distinctive school of Buddhist art. ] Buddhism flourished under the Palas, between the ] and the ] before it collapsed at the hands of the attacking ].
⚫ Central Asian and North Western Indian Buddhism weakened in the ] following the ] invasion who followed their own religions such as ], ] Christianity and ]. Their King Mihirkula who ruled from 515 BC supressed Buddhism destroying monastaries as far as modern-day ] before his son reversed the policy. Subsequently the replacement of Buddhist royal lines with Hindu royals and the rise of ] dynasties further pressured the official sanction of Buddhism.


In ] Muhammad Khilji, one of ]'s generals, destroyed monasteries fortified by the ] armies such as ], and sacked the great Buddhist university of ] in 1193. His march across Northern India was a major milestone in the sudden decline of Buddhism in the ] as he devastated the last vestiges of Buddhist political prowess and resistance by laying waste their fortified monasteries.
⚫ ] reports in his travels across India during the 7th century of Buddhism being popular in ], ], and ] which today roughly correspond to the modern day Indian states of ] and ] while reporting many deserted stupas in the area around modern day ] and the persecution of Buddhists by ] in the Kingdom of ]. (In modern day ].) ] compliments the patronage of ] during this same period while noting in his travels that in various regions ] was giving way to ] and ].


⚫ In 1215 ] conquered ] and raided Buddhist establishments. In 1227 after his death his conquest was divided and ] established the ] and his son ] made Buddhism the state religion. He was succeeded by his brother than his son ] in 1295 who changed the state religion to ].
⚫ In the North and west after ]'s kingdom the rise of many small kingdoms led to the rise of the ] across the ]s and marked the end of Buddhist ruling clans along with a sharp decline in royal patronage until a revival under the ] in the Bengal region. Subsequently the replacement of Buddhist royal lines with Hindu royals and the rise of Rajput dynasties further pressured the official sanction of ].


⚫ After the ] invasions of Islamic lands across Central Asia, many ]s also found themselves fleeing towards India and around the environs of ]. Here their influence, previous familiarity with converting Buddhists, a lack of Buddhist political power, ]'s revival movements such as ] and ], all contributed to a significant realignment of beliefs relegating Buddhism in India to the peripheries.
When ] led the invasion of ] he actually found ready help among the Buddhists in his campaign against their Hindu overlord the Raja ]. Beyond the direct political effects, these invasions also impeded commercial ties to the west, weakening the merchant classes who tended to sponsor Buddhism .


==Ideological and financial causes==
⚫ By the 10th century ] defeated the Hindu-]s effectively removing Hindu influence and ending Buddhist self-governance across Central Asia and the ]. He demolished both stupas and temples during his raids across north-western India but left those within his domains and ] alone even as ] recorded Buddha as the prophet "Burxan".
By the 4th to 5th century Buddhism was in relative decline in northern India. In ] it found ideological opposition for its monastic system. ], in this period witnessed a resurgent movement under ].


] was strongly ingrained in the minds of the common people, and to this day continues to be the foundation for many customs and daily activities. Indians included Buddhism as part of Hinduism when it came to the Buddha and various figures of veneration. ] was often revered as one of the gods, and eventually came to be venerated as ], the ninth ] of ].
In the south of India while there was no overt persecution of ] at least two ] rulers Simhavarma and Trilochana are known to have destroyed ] stupas and have had Hindu temples built over them. Furthermore a vigorous ] revival which incorporated in ] Hinduism the concept of ] as the 9th incarnation of ] led to a sharp decline of Buddhism.


⚫ Buddhist monasteries were well-funded and life within was relatively easy. To avoid unwanted members, many monasteries became selective about whom they admitted, in some cases based on social class. This further cut off the sangha from Indian society.
Buddhism remained dominant in Northern India during the latter part of the 1st millennium, however it was under constant attack by the rising ]s dynasties, as well a revival of Brahmins who aimed at ideologically reintegrating Buddhists into the caste structure by incorporating Buddha into the Hindu pantheon as an ] of ]. In the east under the ]s in ] Mahayana Buddhism flourished and spread to ] and ]. The ]s created many temples and a distinctive school of Buddhist art. ] Buddhism flourished under the Palas, between the ] and the ] before it collapsed under assault from the Hindu ]. In ] Muhammad Khilji, one of ]'s generals, destroyed monasteries fortified by the ] armies such as ], and sacked the Buddhist university of ] in 1193; his march across Northern India is viewed by many historians as a major milestone in the decline of Buddhism in the gangetic plains as his campaign vanquished the last vestiges of Buddhist political prowess and resistance by laying waste their fortified monasteries.

⚫ In 1215 ] conquered ] and ravaged the land indiscriminately, in 1227 after his death his conquest was divided and ] established the ] and his son ] made Buddhism the state religion during which time he came down harshly on ] and demolished mosques to build many stupas. He was succeeded by his brother, and then his son ] who converted to Islam and in 1295 who changed the state religion and after his reign and the splitting of the Chagatai Khanate little mention of ] or the stupas built by the Mongols can be found in Afghanistan and Central Asia can be found in Afghanistan and central asia.

⚫ After the ] invasions of Islamic lands across Central Asia, many ]s also found themselves fleeing towards India and around the environs of ]. Here their influence, caste attitudes towards Buddhists, previous familiarity with converting Buddhists, a lack of Buddhist political power, ]'s revival movements such as ] and the rise of the syncretic ], all contributed to a significant realignment of beliefs relegating Buddhism in India to the peripheries.


==Assimilation, conversion, and destruction== ==Assimilation, conversion, and destruction==
Hinduism's revival movements such as ] and the ] resulted in decline of Buddhist philosophy.


When ] arrived in India, it sought conversion from, not assimilation to or integration with, the already present religions.
While the exact cause of the decline of Buddhism in India is disputed, it is known that the mingling of Hindu and Buddhist societies in India and the rise of Hindu ] movements began to compete against Buddhism. Many believe that Hinduism's adaptation to Buddhism resulted in Buddhism's rapid decline while others point to the aggressive attitudes adopted by various Hindu kings. Particularly important were Hinduism's revival movements such as the adoption of the Buddha into the Hindu pantheon, ] and the ], both of which showed the influence of Buddhist thought. Buddhism's influence on ] movement in particular emphasized more Buddhist concepts of spiritual merit rather than caste as well as the Mahayana Buddhist concepts of love and self sacrifice. Mahayana Buddhist schools at the common level was far more devotional. Some scholars believe that the influence of Bhakti was synergistic with oppressive caste and social situations, in that Bhakti made conversion to Hinduism a more comfortable alternative for oppressed Buddhists.
However, because Hinduism was integral to the character of the Indian people, Islam could not uproot it entirely, even in its lasting impression on converts to Islam.

When ] arrived in India, it sought conversion from, not assimilation to or integration with, the already present religions. However, the new Muslim rulers left in place the ]-controlled caste system that reinforced Hindu social norms . Under ] influence, the pressures of caste and with no political support structure left in place to resist social mores many converted to Islam in the Bengal region. However, the destruction of many monasteries and ] resulted in the Buddhist order being almost entirely eradicated, because most of the tradition was kept up by monks, not lay-people. However, the destruction of many monasteries and ] resulted in the Buddhist order being almost entirely eradicated, because most of the tradition was kept up by monks, not civilians.


At the beginning of the modern era, Buddhism was very nearly extinct in mainstream Indian society. Some tribal peoples living in the territory of modern India did continue to practice Buddhism. In Bengal, the ]s still practice a syncretic form of Hinduism that was strongly influenced by Buddhism. There is also evidence of small communities of Indian ] Buddhists existing continuously in Bengal in the area of ] up to the present . Buddhism continued to prosper in the nearby countries of ], ], ] and ], as well as in more distant locations, such as ], ] and ]. At the beginning of the modern era, Buddhism was very nearly extinct in mainstream Indian society. Some tribal peoples living in the territory of modern India did continue to practice Buddhism. In Bengal, the ]s still practice a syncretic form of Hinduism that was strongly influenced by Buddhism. There is also evidence of small communities of Indian ] Buddhists existing continuously in Bengal in the area of ] up to the present. <ref></ref>


Buddhism continued to prosper in the nearby countries of ], ] and ], as well as in more distant locations, such as ] and ].
===Indian Buddhist Movement and Dalit Movement Views===
{{See also|Dalit (outcaste)|Dalit|Indian Buddhist Movement|Anti-Brahmanism}}
{{unreferenced|date=November 2006}}
The 20th century has seen a rise of anti-] movements in ] which blame the Hindu caste structure and the political aspirations of the Hindu clergy (]s) for being actively responsible for the cause of the decline of both the Buddhist political power and the decline of the practice of ] in the ]. Dr. B. R. Ambedkar concluded that hate towards Buddhism is the reason behind untouchability. In his book 'Untochables:Who were they and why they became' Dr. Ambedkar says "We can, therefore, say with some confidence that untouchability was born some time about 400 A.D. It is born out of the struggle for supremacy between ] and ] which has so completely molded the history of India and the study of which is so woefully neglected by students of Indian history. "
===Hindutva Views===
{{main article|Hindutva}}
{{unreferenced|date=November 2006}}
Proponents of ] place blame on the decline of Buddhism entirely upon the ] and accuse ] of indiscriminate slaughter, persecution and genocide alongside active destruction of stupas, and disavow any Hindu-Buddhist antagonism and usually point to the prevalence of ] in ] and ] (], ], ] and ], ]) before coming into contact with Islam.


==Survival of Buddhism in India== ==Survival of Buddhism in India==
⚫ Buddhist institutions flourished in eastern India right until the Islamic invasion. Buddhism still survives among the Barua, a community of Bengali/Magadh descent that migrated to ] region. Indian Buddhism also survives among ] of Nepal.

Buddhism started to decline in India gradually after about 5th century. However it continued to have a significant presence in several regions.

⚫ Buddhist institutions flourished in eastern India right until the Turkish invasion. It still survives among the Barua, a community of Bengali/Magadh descent that migrated to ] region. Indian Buddhism also survives among ] of Nepal.


In ], Mahima Dharma, a derivative of Buddhism, survived until 18th century. In ], Mahima Dharma, a derivative of Buddhism, survived until 18th century.


The ]s, a community of scribes in North India, had been a supporter of Buddhism since the early period. They continued to support Buddhism until about 12th-13th century in some regions. The Hindu ]s, a community of scribes in North India, had been a supporter of Buddhism since the early period. They continued to support Buddhism until about 12th-13th century in some regions.

⚫ It survived in ] until 13-14th century, perhaps slightly longer in the nearby ]. In ] region, adjacent to Kashmir valley, Tibetan Buddhism survives. Tibetan Buddhism must have been popular in Kashmir at one time, as we learn from ] of ].


⚫ Buddhism survived in ] until 13-14th century, perhaps slightly longer in the nearby ]. In ] region, adjacent to Kashmir valley, Tibetan Buddhism survives. Tibetan Buddhism must have been popular in Kashmir at one time, as we learn from ] of ].
⚫ In ] and ], Buddhism survived until 15-16th century. At ], in ], Buddhist idols were cast and inscribed until this time, and the ruins of the ] stood until they were destroyed by the ] in 1867 . In south in some pockets, it may have survived even longer. The worship of ] may be a relic of Buddhism in Kerala. In south in some pockets, it may have survived even longer. The worship of ] may be a relic of Buddhism in Kerala.


⚫ In ] and ], Buddhism survived until 15-16th century. At ], in ], Buddhist idols were cast and inscribed until this time, and the ruins of the ] stood until they were destroyed by the ] in 1867 . In south in some pockets, it may have survived even longer. The worship of ] may be a relic of Buddhism in Kerala.
In recent years Shri Lankan Buddhist Monks have give more contribution in development of ] in India.


==Revival== ==Revival==
⚫ ''main article: ]''


⚫ In recent times, Buddhism has seen a revival in India, partially because of the more liberal laws concerning religion, and also because of the presence of ]. Additionally, many people who had felt oppression from the caste system in various parts of India turned to Buddhism, led initially by ] in 1956.
⚫ {{main article|Neo-Buddhism}}

⚫ In recent times, ] has seen a revival in ], partially because of the more liberal laws concerning religion, and also because of the presence of ]. Additionally, many ] and ] who felt oppressed under the caste system of ] in various parts of India are convertinging to Buddhism by taking Trisarana, Panchsheel and . This movement was initially led by ] in 1956, who organized a mass conversion for himself and approximately 400,000 of his followers to ] due to its casteless, more liberal nature.

==Historical Chronology==


==Decline of Buddhism in India: Chronology==
* 515 ] king ] destroys Buddhist institutions * 515 ] king ] destroys Buddhist institutions
* 680 Tibetans join ]s against the Umayyad forces in Bactria * 680 Tibetans join ]s against the Umayyad forces in Bactria
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* 735 ] converts from Buddhism in Bactria * 735 ] converts from Buddhism in Bactria
* 750-1150 ] promote tantrika Budhism * 750-1150 ] promote tantrika Budhism
* 788-820 ] debates Buddhists * 788-820 ] establishes Advaita's supremacy in India by debating against Buddhists
* 879 Hindu Shahis retook Kabul and Nagarahara, Hinduism and Buddhism again flourishes * 879 Hindu Shahis retook Kabul and Nagarahara. Hinduism and Buddhism flourish
* 913 - 942 reign of Nasr II, Buddhist statues still made in Samarkand * 913 - 942 reign of Nasr II, Buddhist statues still made in Samarkand
* 1114-1154 ] Govindchandra constructs viharas in North India * 1114-1154 ] Govindchandra constructs viharas in North India
* 1193 ] destroyed by Khilji forces * 1193 ] destroyed by Khilji forces
* 1200 ] and Odantapuri destroyed by Khilji forces * 1200 ] and Odantapuri destroyed by Khilji forces
* 1295 Arghun's son Ghazan succeeded to the ] throne and destroyed the new Buddhist monasteries * 1295 Arghun's son Ghazan succeeded to the ] throne and destroyed the new Buddhist monasteries
* 1389-1413 ] destroys the great Buddhas of Kashmir. * 1389-1413 ] destroys the great Buddhas of Kashmir.
* 16th cent Buddhism still flourishes at ] in Tamilnadu * 16th cent Buddhism still flourishes at ] in Tamilnadu
* 19th cent. ]s and ]s remain as the last of the Indian Buddhists * 19th cent. ]s and ]s remain as the last of the Indian Buddhists
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==See also== ==See also==

*] *]
*] *]
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== External links == == External links ==
*
* extracted from Buddhist Pilgrimage, by Bro Chan Khoon San
*] on allegations of "Hindu iconoclasm": , , , , *] on allegations of "Hindu iconoclasm": , , , ,

*

* *

* *


Revision as of 08:07, 3 December 2006

Factual accuracy issues exist with this article
Please see the previous version of this article and the Talk page

Buddhism was established in the ancient Indian reigon of modern day Nepal . Buddhism flourished in India during the early phases of its history. However, it declined in coming centuries.

Political and Military Developments

Buddhism as a religion flourished in India with Emperor Ashoka accepting it as personal faith. Ashoka also played a major part in the spread of Buddhism in Asia through religious ambassadors. Buddhism countinued to prosper in Gandhara under the Shahi rule. Buddhism's spread was driven by powerful monarchs who adopted it as personal faith.

Central Asian and North Western Indian Buddhism weakened in the 6th century following the White Hun invasion. The White Huns followed their own religions such as Tengri, Nestorian Christianity and Manichean. King Mihirkula who ruled from 515 BC supressed Buddhism destroying monastaries as far as modern-day Allahabad before his son reversed the policy.

Xuanzang reports in his travels across India during the 7th century that Buddhism was popular in Andhra, Dhanyakataka, and Dravida which today roughly correspond to the modern day Indian states of Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. He also reports deserted stupas in the area around modern day Nepal and the persecution of Buddhists by Ssanka in the Kingdom of Gouda. Xuanzang compliments the patronage of Harshavardana during this same period while noting in his travels that in various regions Buddhism was giving way to Jainism and Hinduism.

In the North and west reigons, following Harshavardana's reign, many small kingdoms came to power. This led to the rise of the martial Rajput clans across the gangetic plains and marked the end of Buddhist kingdoms. This resulted in sharp decline in royal patronage until a revival under the Pala empire in the Bengal region.

By the 10th century Mahmud of Ghazni defeated the Hindu-Shahis, effectively removing Hindu influence and ending Buddhist self-governance across Central Asia and the Punjab region. He demolished numerous monastaries alongside temples during his raid across north-western India.

In the east under the Palas in Bengal, Mahayana Buddhism flourished and spread to Bhutan and Sikkim. The Palas created many temples and a distinctive school of Buddhist art. Mahayana Buddhism flourished under the Palas, between the 8th and the 12th century before it collapsed at the hands of the attacking Sena dynasty.

In 1200 Muhammad Khilji, one of Qutb-ud-Din's generals, destroyed monasteries fortified by the Sena armies such as Vikramshila, and sacked the great Buddhist university of Nalanda in 1193. His march across Northern India was a major milestone in the sudden decline of Buddhism in the gangetic plains as he devastated the last vestiges of Buddhist political prowess and resistance by laying waste their fortified monasteries.

In 1215 Genghis Khan conquered Afghanistan and raided Buddhist establishments. In 1227 after his death his conquest was divided and Chagatai established the Chagatai Khanate and his son Arghun made Buddhism the state religion. He was succeeded by his brother than his son Ghazan in 1295 who changed the state religion to Islam.

After the Mongol invasions of Islamic lands across Central Asia, many Sufis also found themselves fleeing towards India and around the environs of Bengal. Here their influence, previous familiarity with converting Buddhists, a lack of Buddhist political power, Hinduism's revival movements such as Advaita and bhakti movement, all contributed to a significant realignment of beliefs relegating Buddhism in India to the peripheries.

Ideological and financial causes

By the 4th to 5th century Buddhism was in relative decline in northern India. In India it found ideological opposition for its monastic system. Hinduism, in this period witnessed a resurgent movement under Adi Shankara.

Hinduism was strongly ingrained in the minds of the common people, and to this day continues to be the foundation for many customs and daily activities. Indians included Buddhism as part of Hinduism when it came to the Buddha and various figures of veneration. Shakyamuni Buddha was often revered as one of the gods, and eventually came to be venerated as Shakyamuni Buddha, the ninth avatar of Vishnu.

Buddhist monasteries were well-funded and life within was relatively easy. To avoid unwanted members, many monasteries became selective about whom they admitted, in some cases based on social class. This further cut off the sangha from Indian society.

Assimilation, conversion, and destruction

Hinduism's revival movements such as Advaita Vedanta and the Bhakti movement resulted in decline of Buddhist philosophy.

When Islam arrived in India, it sought conversion from, not assimilation to or integration with, the already present religions. However, because Hinduism was integral to the character of the Indian people, Islam could not uproot it entirely, even in its lasting impression on converts to Islam. However, the destruction of many monasteries and stupas resulted in the Buddhist order being almost entirely eradicated, because most of the tradition was kept up by monks, not civilians.

At the beginning of the modern era, Buddhism was very nearly extinct in mainstream Indian society. Some tribal peoples living in the territory of modern India did continue to practice Buddhism. In Bengal, the Bauls still practice a syncretic form of Hinduism that was strongly influenced by Buddhism. There is also evidence of small communities of Indian Theravada Buddhists existing continuously in Bengal in the area of Chittagong up to the present.

Buddhism continued to prosper in the nearby countries of Nepal, Tibet and Burma, as well as in more distant locations, such as China and Japan.

Survival of Buddhism in India

Buddhist institutions flourished in eastern India right until the Islamic invasion. Buddhism still survives among the Barua, a community of Bengali/Magadh descent that migrated to Chittagong region. Indian Buddhism also survives among Newars of Nepal.

In Orissa, Mahima Dharma, a derivative of Buddhism, survived until 18th century.

The Hindu Kayasthas, a community of scribes in North India, had been a supporter of Buddhism since the early period. They continued to support Buddhism until about 12th-13th century in some regions.

Buddhism survived in Kashmir valley until 13-14th century, perhaps slightly longer in the nearby Swat Valley. In Ladakh region, adjacent to Kashmir valley, Tibetan Buddhism survives. Tibetan Buddhism must have been popular in Kashmir at one time, as we learn from Rajatarangini of Kalhana.

In Tamilnadu and Kerala, Buddhism survived until 15-16th century. At Nagapattinam, in Tamil Nadu, Buddhist idols were cast and inscribed until this time, and the ruins of the Chudamani Vihara stood until they were destroyed by the Jesuits in 1867 . In south in some pockets, it may have survived even longer. The worship of Dharma Shasta may be a relic of Buddhism in Kerala.

Revival

main article: Neo-Buddhism

In recent times, Buddhism has seen a revival in India, partially because of the more liberal laws concerning religion, and also because of the presence of Tibetan Buddhists. Additionally, many people who had felt oppression from the caste system in various parts of India turned to Buddhism, led initially by B. R. Ambedkar in 1956.

Decline of Buddhism in India: Chronology

  • 515 Huna king Mihirkula destroys Buddhist institutions
  • 680 Tibetans join Shahis against the Umayyad forces in Bactria
  • 715 Arab general Qutaiba retook Bactria from the Shahis and destroys Nava Vihara
  • 735 Barmakids converts from Buddhism in Bactria
  • 750-1150 Mahasiddhas promote tantrika Budhism
  • 788-820 Adi Shankara establishes Advaita's supremacy in India by debating against Buddhists
  • 879 Hindu Shahis retook Kabul and Nagarahara. Hinduism and Buddhism flourish
  • 913 - 942 reign of Nasr II, Buddhist statues still made in Samarkand
  • 1114-1154 Gahadvala Govindchandra constructs viharas in North India
  • 1193 Nalanda destroyed by Khilji forces
  • 1200 Vikramshila and Odantapuri destroyed by Khilji forces
  • 1295 Arghun's son Ghazan succeeded to the Khanate throne and destroyed the new Buddhist monasteries
  • 1389-1413 Sikandar Butshikan destroys the great Buddhas of Kashmir.
  • 16th cent Buddhism still flourishes at Nagapattinam in Tamilnadu
  • 19th cent. Baruas and Newars remain as the last of the Indian Buddhists
  • 1891 Anagarika Dharmapala visits India, Buddhism reemerges in India
  • 1923 Rahul Sankrityayan becomes a Bhikkhu
  • 1956 Ambedkar becomes a Buddhist, founding the neo-Buddhist movement.

See also

External links

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