Misplaced Pages

Decline of Buddhism in the Indian subcontinent: Difference between revisions

Article snapshot taken from Wikipedia with creative commons attribution-sharealike license. Give it a read and then ask your questions in the chat. We can research this topic together.
Browse history interactively← Previous editNext edit →Content deleted Content addedVisualWikitext
Revision as of 16:39, 11 December 2006 editFreedom skies (talk | contribs)4,714 edits rv. Sunga portion removed was conflicting and based on speculation, the report does not belong in political section, Shahis included turkish and Hindu both← Previous edit Revision as of 21:46, 11 December 2006 edit undoMaleabroad (talk | contribs)766 edits revert-users trying to spread anti-Hinduism and anti-BrahminismNext edit →
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Message_box|
⚫ '''Decline of Buddhism in India''', the land of it's birth occurred for many varied reasons even as it countinued to flourish beyond the Indian frontiers. <ref name="Thai14"> Promsak, pg.14</ref> ] had been established in the area of ancient ] and ]<ref name="Merriam155"> Merriam-Webster, pg. 155-157</ref> and ] it spread from there across the ] and beyond as the major belief system of the region. Buddhism as a religion flourished within a century of the death of ], especially in northern and central ].<ref name="Merriam155"/> The ] Emperor ], during the third century BC, and other subsequent monarchs also played a major part in the prolestyzation of Buddhism in Asia through religious ambassadors.
id =Decline of Buddhism in India|
backgroundcolor =Pink|
image =Stop_hand.svg|
heading = Factual accuracy issues exist with this article|
message = This article seems to be based on hearsay, poor sources and misinterpretation of sources. Please see the and the ]}}


⚫ '''Decline of Buddhism in India''', the land of it's birth occurred for many varied reasons even as it countinued to flourish beyond the Indian frontiers.<ref name="Thai14"> Promsak, pg.14</ref> ] had been established in the area of ancient ] and ]<ref name="Merriam155"> Merriam-Webster, pg. 155-157</ref> and ] it spread from there across the ] and beyond as the major belief system of the region. Buddhism as a religion flourished within a century of the death of ], especially in northern and central ].<ref name="Merriam155"/> The ] Emperor ], during the third century BC, and other subsequent monarchs also played a major part in the prolestyzation of Buddhism in Asia through religious ambassadors.
⚫ Chinese scholars; such as ], ], ], Hui-sheng and Sung-Yun; travelling through the region between the 5th to 8th century began to speak of a decline of the Buddhist '']'', especially in the wake of the ] invasion.<ref name="Merriam155"/> It did not recover after the fall of the ] dynasty in the 12th century and the later sacking of monastaries by Muslim conquerors.<ref name="Merriam155"/> At the beginning of the 20th century Buddhism was virtually extinct but is undergoing a contemporary revival by a movement of mass conversion by the untouchables of the ] (]), pioneered by ].<ref name="Merriam155"/>

==Political and military influences==


⚫ Chinese scholars; such as ], ], ], Hui-sheng and Sung-Yun; travelling through the region between the 5th to 8th century began to speak of a decline of the Buddhist '']'', especially in the wake of the ] invasion.<ref name="Merriam155"/> It did not recover after the fall of the ] dynasty in the 12th century and the later sacking of monastaries by Muslim conquerors.<ref name="Merriam155"/> At the beginning of the 20th century Buddhism was virtually extinct but is undergoing a contemporary revival by a movement of mass conversion by the untouchables of the ] (]), pioneered by ].<ref name="Merriam155"/>
===The Sunga & Kanva Period=== ===The Sunga & Kanva Period===
Following the Mauryan's, the first ] king, the ] ] is frequently linked with the persecution of Buddhists and a resurgence of ] that forced Buddhism outwards to ], ] and ]. <ref name="Sarvastivada"> Sarvastivada pg 38-39</ref>. The Sungas were zealous propagators of Brahmanism and their lack of royal patronage was also a setback to Buddhism resulting in the splintering of Buddhism into many forces; such as ''Saravastivadins'', ''Mahasargikas'', ''Sthaviravadha'', and ''Yogacara''; resulting in a diversion of opinions and interpretations that led to a conflict between warring schools shortly after the fall of the Mauryans. <ref name="ashok"/> Later Sunga kings were seen as more amenable to Buddhism. Following the Mauryan's, the first ] king, ] is frequently linked by neo-Buddhists with the persecution of Buddhists and a resurgence of Hinduism. There is some doubt as to wether he actually actively persecuted Buddhists but a persistent neo-Buddhist tradition holds him as having taking steps to check the spread of Buddhism as "the number one enemy of the sons of the ]<ref>Gautama Buddha was held to be from the tribe of the Saka's and his title Sakyamuni means "sage of the Sakas".</ref> and a most cruel persecutor of the religion".<ref name="Sarvastivada"/> The ''Divyavadana'' ascribes to him the razing of '']'' and '']'' built by Asoka, the placing of a bounty of 100 dinaras upon the heads of Buddhist monks ('']s'') and describes him as one who wanted to undo the work of Asoka.<ref name="ashok"> Ashok, pg 91-93</ref> This account has however been described as "exaggerated".<ref name="ashok"/> The Sungas were zealous propagators of Hinduism and their lack of royal patronage was also a setback to Buddhism resulting in the splintering of Buddhism into many forces; such as ''Saravastivadins'', ''Mahasargikas'', ''Sthaviravadha'', and ''Yogacara''; resulting in a diversion of opinions and interpretations that led to a conflict between warring schools shortly after the fall of the Mauryans.<ref name="ashok"/> Later Sunga kings were seen as more amenable to Buddhism.


This period has been described as one of political and spiritual competition with Brahmanism <ref name="ashok"/><ref name="Sarvastivada"/> in the ] and one in which Buddhism flourished in the realms of the Bactrian kings. <ref name="ashok"/> This period has been described as one of political and spiritual competition with Hinduism<ref name="ashok"/><ref name="Sarvastivada"/> in the ] and one in which Buddhism flourished in the realms of the Bactrian Kings.<ref name="ashok"/>


However, what the neo-Buddhists never mention is the the ] actually suppoorted. An example is given by them building the stupa at ].
⚫ ===Gupta's===
⚫ 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 ]s.


Neo-Buddhists often accuse the Brahmin of having attacked Buddhism when Asoka himself was converted by the Brahmin Buddhists Shri Radhasvami and Shri Manjushri. <ref> </ref>

⚫ ===Gupta's===
⚫ 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.
⚫ ===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. 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 ].
===White Huns=== ===White Huns===
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. 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.


⚫ ==Xuanzang's Report==
⚫ ] 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> Later, the Southern Indian Buddhists converted Islam as is evident by the population on the Lanksweep Islands. 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>
===Harsha=== ===Harsha===
In the North and west after ]'s kingdom the rise of many small kingdoms. This led to the rise of the martial ] clans 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 martial Rajput dynasties further pressured ]. In the North and west after ]'s kingdom the rise of many small kingdoms. This led to the rise of the martial ] clans 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 ]. The reason why some Rajputs felt that Buddhism was a threat was because of Buddhist dynasties that were attacking Hindus and especially Rajputs. Many times however, the Buddhists preferred to commit genocide against Brahmins as the Kushan dynasty did.
===Vaishnavites===
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 South India, ] (or Hindu) Buddhism was patronized by the Sattvahana Dynasty.
===Buddhism in Southern India===
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. However, the Bodhisattva ], who travelled to China to spread Buddhism was himself a Brahmin from the Pallava Dynasty. Furthermore a vigorous ] revival which incorporated in ] Hinduism the concept of ] as the 9th incarnation of ] led to a sharp decline of Buddhism.


==Muslim contact in Sindh==
===Muhammad bin Quasim===
When ] led the invasion of ] he actually found ready help among a few greedy Buddhists whom the ] bribed in his campaign against their Hindu Maharaja ]. Beyond the direct political effects, these invasions also impeded commercial ties to the west, weakening the merchant classes who tended to sponsor Buddhism .
In AD 711, Muhammad bin Quasim attacked the southern shores of Sindh. Muhammad Bin Quasim is linked with Islamic persecution of Buddhists. Quasim destroyed a Buddhist holy site and built a mosque in it's place. <ref>Pakistan: ps:pakistan,cultural Guide(p+) By Marian Rengel</ref>


{{cquote|India has lost her freedom only owing to treason of her own people. Raja Dahir of Sindh was defeated by Mohammad Bin Khasim. The only reason for this defeat was that the generals of the Sindh army took bribes from Khasim's men and did not fight for the King.<ref name="Ambedkar>Hindutva.org</ref>}}
===Mahmud of Ghazni===
⚫ 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".


{{cquote|15. Hajjaj apointed Muhammad s/o Harun. At this time occurred the event of some pirated kidnapped some women going from Ceylon to Arabia which the Muslims justify as the cause for the next invasion of Debal, the capital of King Dahir.<ref name="Pipes>Chapter II -- Futuhu-l Buldan of Ahmad ibn Yahya Ibn Jabir Al Buldan</ref>}}
Mahmud of Ghazni is said to have been an ]. <ref>Notes on the Religious, Moral, and Political State of India Before the Mahomedan Invasion:... By Faxian, Sykes (William Henry)</ref> Hindu and Buddhist statues, shrines and temples were destroyed and many Buddhists had to take refuge in Tibet. <ref> How to Prepare for the Sat II: World History By Marilynn Hitchens, Heidi Roupp</ref>


So then not only were people forced to convert, but women were tortured and raped by the Arab Empire.
===Muhammad of Ghor===
Muhammad attacked the north-western regions of the ] many times. Gujarat later fell to Muhammad Ghori's armies in ]. ]'s armies destoryed many Buddhist structures, including the great Buddhist university of ]. <ref>Historia Religionum: Handbook for the History of Religions By C. J. Bleeker, G. Widengren page 381</ref>


⚫ 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".
===Pala's=== ===Pala's===
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 ]. 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 ].
===Ghurid Invasion=== ===Ghurid Invasion===
In ] Muhammad Khilji, one of ]'s generals, destroyed monasteries fortified by the ] armies such as ]. 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. 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.

===The Mongols=== ===The Mongols===
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. 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.
⚫ ===Sufis and Bhakti's===
⚫ 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.


⚫ ==Ideological and financial causes==
===Timur (Tamarlane)===
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 ].
Timur was a 14th-century ] of ] descent <ref name="EI">B.F. Manz, ''"Tīmūr Lang"'', in ], Online Edition, 2006</ref><ref>The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, "Timur", 6th ed., Columbia University Press: ''"... Timur (timoor') or Tamerlane (tăm'urlān), c.1336–1405, <u>Mongol conqueror</u>, b. Kesh, near Samarkand. ..."'', ()</ref><ref>, in ]: ''"... was a member of the Turkic Barlas clan of Mongols..."''</ref><ref>, in ]: ''"... Baber first tried to recover Samarkand, the former capital of the empire founded by his Mongol ancestor Timur Lenk ..."''</ref>, conqueror of much of Western and central Asia, and founder of the ].


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.
] destroyed Buddhist establishments and raided areas in which Buddhism had flourished. <ref>Sir Aurel Stein: Archaeological Explorer By Jeannette Mirsky</ref><ref>Ethnicity & Family Therapy edited by Nydia Garcia-Preto, Joe Giordano, Monica McGoldrick</ref>


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 ].
===Mughals===
] rule also contributed to the decline of Buddhism. India's new iconoclastic monarchs destroyed many Hindu temples and Buddhist shrines alike, or converted many sacred Hindu places into muslim shrines and mosques. <ref>War at the Top of the World: The Struggle for Afghanistan, Kashmir, and Tibet By Eric S. Margolis page 165</ref> Mughal rulers like ] destroyed Buddhist temples and monasteries and replaced them with Islamic mosques. <ref>India By Sarina Singh</ref>


In ], muslim rulers imposed '']'' (head tax on non muslims) starting in the ]. ] levied ''jizya'' on his subjects in ].<ref>The World Economy: a millennial perspective by Angus Maddison, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development Development Centre. Seminars (Paris), page 108</ref>

⚫ ==Ideological and financial causes==

===Financial reasons===
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. 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.


==Advent of Islam and revival of Hinduism==
⚫ ===Xuanzang's Report===
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.
⚫ ] 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>


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 and lack of Buddhist political power contributed to a significant realignment of beliefs relegating Buddhism in India to the peripheries.
⚫ ===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. 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 ].

⚫ ===Sufis and Bhakti's===
⚫ 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.


==Survival of Buddhism in India== ==Survival of Buddhism in India==
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> 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 ].


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. 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.
Line 74: Line 80:
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 ]. 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. <ref></ref> In south in some pockets, it may have survived even longer. 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.


==Revival== ==Revival==
''main article: ]''
{{see|Dalit Buddhist movement}}


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. 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.


==Decline of Buddhism in India: Chronology==
* 515 ] king ] destroys Buddhist institutions
* 680 Tibetans join ]s against the Umayyad forces in Bactria
* 715 Arab general Qutaiba retook ] from the Shahis and destroys Nava Vihara
* 735 ] converts from Buddhism in Bactria
* 750-1150 ] promote tantrika Budhism
* 788-820 ] debates against Buddhists, advocating ]
* 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 ] Govindchandra constructs viharas in North India
* 1193 ] 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
* 1389-1413 ] destroys the great Buddhas of Kashmir.
* 16th cent Buddhism still flourishes at ] in Tamilnadu
* 19th cent. ]s and ]s remain as the last of the Indian Buddhists
* 1891 ] visits India, Buddhism reemerges in India
* 1923 ] becomes a Bhikkhu
* 1956 ] becomes a Buddhist, founding the ] movement.
==Notes== ==Notes==
<references/> <references/>

==References== ==References==
* Promsak Jermsawatdi, ''"Thai Art with Indian influence"'', 2003, Abhinav Publications, ISBN 8170170907 * Promsak Jermsawatdi, ''"Thai Art with Indian influence"'', 2003, Abhinav Publications, ISBN 8170170907
Line 91: Line 115:


==See also== ==See also==
*] *]
*] *]
*] * ]
*] *]
*] *]


== External links == == External links ==
*]: , , , , *] on allegations of "Hindu iconoclasm": , , , ,
*
* *

*
* extracted from Buddhist Pilgrimage, by Bro Chan Khoon San


] ]

Revision as of 21:46, 11 December 2006

Factual accuracy issues exist with this article
This article seems to be based on hearsay, poor sources and misinterpretation of sources. Please see the previous version of this article and the Talk page

Decline of Buddhism in India, the land of it's birth occurred for many varied reasons even as it countinued to flourish beyond the Indian frontiers. Buddhism had been established in the area of ancient Magadha and Kosala and during 1500 years it spread from there across the Indian sub-continent and beyond as the major belief system of the region. Buddhism as a religion flourished within a century of the death of Gautama Buddha, especially in northern and central India. The Mauryan Emperor Ashoka, during the third century BC, and other subsequent monarchs also played a major part in the prolestyzation of Buddhism in Asia through religious ambassadors.

Chinese scholars; such as Faxian, Xuanzang, I-ching, Hui-sheng and Sung-Yun; travelling through the region between the 5th to 8th century began to speak of a decline of the Buddhist sangha, especially in the wake of the White Hun invasion. It did not recover after the fall of the Pala dynasty in the 12th century and the later sacking of monastaries by Muslim conquerors. At the beginning of the 20th century Buddhism was virtually extinct but is undergoing a contemporary revival by a movement of mass conversion by the untouchables of the Hindu caste system (dalits), pioneered by B.R. Ambedkar.

The Sunga & Kanva Period

Following the Mauryan's, the first Sunga king, Pusyamitra is frequently linked by neo-Buddhists with the persecution of Buddhists and a resurgence of Hinduism. There is some doubt as to wether he actually actively persecuted Buddhists but a persistent neo-Buddhist tradition holds him as having taking steps to check the spread of Buddhism as "the number one enemy of the sons of the Sakya's and a most cruel persecutor of the religion". The Divyavadana ascribes to him the razing of stupas and viharas built by Asoka, the placing of a bounty of 100 dinaras upon the heads of Buddhist monks (Shramanas) and describes him as one who wanted to undo the work of Asoka. This account has however been described as "exaggerated". The Sungas were zealous propagators of Hinduism and their lack of royal patronage was also a setback to Buddhism resulting in the splintering of Buddhism into many forces; such as Saravastivadins, Mahasargikas, Sthaviravadha, and Yogacara; resulting in a diversion of opinions and interpretations that led to a conflict between warring schools shortly after the fall of the Mauryans. Later Sunga kings were seen as more amenable to Buddhism.

This period has been described as one of political and spiritual competition with Hinduism in the gangetic plains and one in which Buddhism flourished in the realms of the Bactrian Kings.

However, what the neo-Buddhists never mention is the the Sunga Empire actually suppoorted. An example is given by them building the stupa at Baharut.

Neo-Buddhists often accuse the Brahmin of having attacked Buddhism when Asoka himself was converted by the Brahmin Buddhists Shri Radhasvami and Shri Manjushri.

Gupta's

Buddhism and saw a brief revival under the Guptas. By the 4th to 5th century Buddhism was already in decline in northern India, even as it was achieving multiple successes in Central Asia and along the Silk Road as far as China. It countinued to prosper in Gandhara under the buddhist Turki-Shahis. Buddhisms spread was driven by powerful monarchs who adopted and supported it, lacking political support it began to decline.

Philosophical divergence with Adi Shankara

In 9th century A.D. the Buddhist philosophers started to lose ground with the Hindu Saint Adi Shankara. 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. As political patronage failed it came under increasing pressure by Hinduism and the revival movements of Adi Shankara. Shakyamuni Buddha eventually came to be interpreted as a manifestation of the Hindu god Vishnu.

White Huns

Central Asian and North Western Indian Buddhism weakened in the 6th century following the White Hun invasion who followed their own religions such as Tengri, Nestorian Christianity and Manichean. Their King Mihirkula who ruled from 515 BC supressed Buddhism destroying monastaries as far as modern-day Allahabad before his son reversed the policy. Subsequently the replacement of Buddhist royal lines with Hindu royals and the rise of Rajput dynasties further pressured the official sanction of Buddhism.

Xuanzang's Report

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. Later, the Southern Indian Buddhists converted Islam as is evident by the population on the Lanksweep Islands. 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.

Harsha

In the North and west after Harshavardana's kingdom the rise of many small kingdoms. This led to the rise of the martial Rajputs clans across the gangetic plains and marked the end of Buddhist ruling clans along with a sharp decline in royal patronage until a revival under the Pala Empire 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 Buddhism. The reason why some Rajputs felt that Buddhism was a threat was because of Buddhist dynasties that were attacking Hindus and especially Rajputs. Many times however, the Buddhists preferred to commit genocide against Brahmins as the Kushan dynasty did.

Vaishnavites

In the 9th CE the Vaishnavas identified the Buddha as an avatāra of the Hindu god Vishnu – which contradicted basic Buddhist understandings about the nature of a Buddha and of nirvāna. Shakyamuni Buddha was often revered as one of the gods, and eventually came to be interpreted as a manifestation of the Hindu god Vishnu. In South India, Astik (or Hindu) Buddhism was patronized by the Sattvahana Dynasty.

Buddhism in Southern India

In the south of India while there was no overt persecution of Buddhists at least two Pallava rulers Simhavarma and Trilochana are known to have destroyed Buddhist stupas and have had Hindu temples built over them. However, the Bodhisattva Bodhidharma, who travelled to China to spread Buddhism was himself a Brahmin from the Pallava Dynasty. Furthermore a vigorous Hindu revival which incorporated in Vaishnavite Hinduism the concept of Buddha as the 9th incarnation of Vishnu led to a sharp decline of Buddhism.

Muslim contact in Sindh

When Muhammad bin Qasim led the invasion of Sindh he actually found ready help among a few greedy Buddhists whom the Arab Empire bribed in his campaign against their Hindu Maharaja Dahir. Beyond the direct political effects, these invasions also impeded commercial ties to the west, weakening the merchant classes who tended to sponsor Buddhism .

India has lost her freedom only owing to treason of her own people. Raja Dahir of Sindh was defeated by Mohammad Bin Khasim. The only reason for this defeat was that the generals of the Sindh army took bribes from Khasim's men and did not fight for the King.

15. Hajjaj apointed Muhammad s/o Harun. At this time occurred the event of some pirated kidnapped some women going from Ceylon to Arabia which the Muslims justify as the cause for the next invasion of Debal, the capital of King Dahir.

So then not only were people forced to convert, but women were tortured and raped by the Arab Empire.

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 both stupas and temples during his raids across north-western India but left those within his domains and Afghanistan alone even as al-Biruni recorded Buddha as the prophet "Burxan".

Pala's

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.

Ghurid Invasion

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.

The Mongols

In 1215 Genghis Khan conquered Afghanistan and ravaged the land indiscriminately, in 1227 after his death his conquest was divided and Chagatai established the Chagatai Khanate and his son Arghun made Buddhism the state religion during which time he came down harshly on Islam and demolished mosques to build many stupas. He was succeeded by his brother, and then his son Ghazan 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 Buddhism or the stupas built by the Mongols can be found in Afghanistan and Central Asia can be found in Afghanistan and central asia.

Sufis and Bhakti's

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, caste attitudes towards Buddhists, previous familiarity with converting Buddhists, a lack of Buddhist political power, Hinduism's revival movements such as Advaita and the rise of the syncretic 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.

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 Vedanta 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, Advaita Vedanta and the Bhakti movement, both of which showed the influence of Buddhist thought. Buddhism's influence on Bhakti 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.

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.

Advent of Islam and revival of Hinduism

When Islam 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 Brahmin-controlled caste system that reinforced Hindu social norms . Under Sufi 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 stupas resulted in the Buddhist order being almost entirely eradicated, because most of the tradition was kept up by monks, not lay-people.

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 and lack of Buddhist political power contributed to a significant realignment of beliefs relegating Buddhism in India to the peripheries.

Survival of Buddhism in India

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.

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 debates against Buddhists, advocating Advaita
  • 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.

Notes

  1. Promsak, pg.14
  2. ^ Merriam-Webster, pg. 155-157
  3. Gautama Buddha was held to be from the tribe of the Saka's and his title Sakyamuni means "sage of the Sakas".
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference Sarvastivada was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ Ashok, pg 91-93
  6. Brahmin Contribution to Other Religions
  9. Hindutva.org
  10. Chapter II -- Futuhu-l Buldan of Ahmad ibn Yahya Ibn Jabir Al Buldan

References

  • Promsak Jermsawatdi, "Thai Art with Indian influence", 2003, Abhinav Publications, ISBN 8170170907
  • Wendy Doniger, "Merriam-Webster Encyclopedia of World Religions", 1999, Merriam-Webster, ISBN 0877790442
  • Charles (EDT) Willemen, Bart Dessein, Collett Cox, "Sarvastivada Buddhist Scholastism", 1998, Brill Academic Publishers
  • Ashok Kumar Anand, "Buddhism in India", 1996, Gyan Books, ISBN 8121205069

See also

External links

Categories: