| Buddhism is a variety of teachings described | | | | either atheistic or agnostic. The atheists |
| as a religion or way of life. One point of | | | | believed it was "man, who created God in his |
| view says it is a body of philosophies | | | | own image," whilst the agnostics believed |
| influenced by the teachings of Siddhartha | | | | that the search for and contemplation of God |
| Gautama, known as Gautama Buddha. Another | | | | was "an exercise in futility." Both of these |
| point of view says it is teachings to guide | | | | beliefs were in stark contrast to Hinduism's |
| one to directly experiencing reality. Many | | | | worship of a pantheon of Gods. Buddha |
| scholars regard it as a plurality rather than | | | | championed the benefits of meditation and |
| a single entity. Buddhism is also known as | | | | reflective practises over prayer, ritual |
| Buddha Dharma or Dhamma, which means roughly | | | | fasting and sacrifices. Buddha's philosophy |
| the ""teachings of the Awakened One"" in | | | | taught that salvation lay in one's own hands. |
| Sanskrit and Pali, languages of ancient | | | | This belief was certainly a revelation to low |
| Buddhist texts. Buddhism began around the 5th | | | | caste Hindus, who had been brought up to |
| century BCE with the teachings of Siddhartha | | | | believe that their only hope was to observe |
| Gautama, commonly referred to as ""the | | | | the laws of dharma (duty to one's caste) in |
| Buddha"". | | | | order to be reborn into a higher position in |
| | | | the next life. The importance stressed on |
| At the time Siddhartha Gautama (Buddha) | | | | dharma effectively immobilised lower caste |
| founded his system of beliefs, Hinduism was | | | | Hindus into a lifetime of servitude and |
| the dominant religion accessible to the | | | | oppression, it also served to perpetuate the |
| educated people only. | | | | hegemonic nature of Indian society. Buddha's |
| | | | teachings liberated lower caste Hindus. For |
| India, during the lifetime of Gautama Buddha | | | | the first time they were given a feeling of |
| was "in a state of religious ferment," it was | | | | control over their own lives, in the sense |
| a period during which the authority of The | | | | that salvation was attainable through a |
| Vedas was in doubt; this was significant as | | | | course of right conduct and action rather |
| The Vedas were central to Hinduism. | | | | than adherence to rules made by those in |
| Therefore, scepticism regarding their | | | | power. Thus Buddhism gained support by |
| authority was seen as scepticism regarding | | | | espousing the virtues of freedom for all |
| the Hindu religion itself. The Buddha | | | | beings, and by preaching that salvation was |
| addressed what he perceived to be the | | | | attainable inside oneself. |
| shortcomings of Hinduism; he rejected the | | | | |
| inequitable nature of the caste system and | | | | As well as placing emphasis on the |
| preached instead that all beings were equal; | | | | attainability of salvation, Buddhism also |
| by doing this he challenged the supremacy of | | | | stressed a great deal of importance on the |
| the Brahmins. It is also interesting to note | | | | accessibility of its teachings. It was for |
| that Buddhism was the first | | | | this reason alone that The Buddha preached in |
| | | | Pali, the then common language of the |
| "Religion" to indoctrinate women into its | | | | Gangetic Plain. Spears- "Buddha was an |
| religious order or sangha. The Buddha also | | | | opponent of hiding the truth in the mystery |
| held the superstitious nature of Hinduism in | | | | of a strange language and unintelligible |
| disdain, as Spears says, "He (Buddha) was an | | | | books…his message was for all |
| opponent of the priesthood, magic and | | | | equally…" Thus, a factor crucial to |
| sacrifice." Buddha advocated rightful conduct | | | | determining the success of Buddhism in India |
| over spells and charms. This line of thought | | | | was the level of its accessibility, |
| held particular resonance with members of the | | | | particularly to the common man who had long |
| middle class, who were growing increasingly | | | | been deprived of religious or philosophical |
| critical of the aristocratic privilege | | | | education, accessibility also fostered a |
| bestowed upon Brahmin priests. The priests, | | | | sense of inclusiveness. |
| in turn maintained their stronghold over | | | | |
| Hinduism by way of performing rituals, which | | | | Buddhism's success in India lay in its |
| were often in the form of spells and | | | | attempts to be tolerant of, yet distinct from |
| sacrifice. Buddha's open rejection of | | | | Hinduism. Initially this worked, however as |
| Hinduism was highly inflammatory, especially | | | | time went on the fusing of Hindu and Buddhist |
| to the Brahmins. However, Buddha's message of | | | | traditions eventually meant that Buddhism was |
| equality for all strongly appealed to the | | | | simply absorbed by the dominant Hinduism. |
| lower castes within Hindu society. Thus, the | | | | Thus, the early success of Buddhism in India |
| egalitarian nature of Buddhism, as well as | | | | can be attributed to its egalitarian, |
| its renunciation of Hindu ritualism and | | | | accessible and peaceful nature, it's |
| Brahmanism contributed to its success. | | | | addressing of the social tensions of the day |
| | | | (particularly those regarding Hinduism), and |
| The Buddha rejected the idea of man's | | | | the support and promulgation it received |
| salvation being reliant upon an external | | | | under several rulers. The social atmosphere |
| force or being such as God. In this sense, | | | | of the time was calling for reform, and for |
| Buddhism is not a religion, but rather a | | | | many this reform was to be found in Buddhism. |
| philosophy. The early Buddhist sects were | | | | |