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Buddhism - Best Things for You

Buddhism is a variety of teachings describedeither atheistic or agnostic. The atheists
as a religion or way of life. One point ofbelieved it was "man, who created God in his
view says it is a body of philosophiesown image," whilst the agnostics believed
influenced by the teachings of Siddharthathat the search for and contemplation of God
Gautama, known as Gautama Buddha. Anotherwas "an exercise in futility." Both of these
point of view says it is teachings to guidebeliefs were in stark contrast to Hinduism's
one to directly experiencing reality. Manyworship of a pantheon of Gods. Buddha
scholars regard it as a plurality rather thanchampioned the benefits of meditation and
a single entity. Buddhism is also known asreflective practises over prayer, ritual
Buddha Dharma or Dhamma, which means roughlyfasting and sacrifices. Buddha's philosophy
the ""teachings of the Awakened One"" intaught that salvation lay in one's own hands.
Sanskrit and Pali, languages of ancientThis belief was certainly a revelation to low
Buddhist texts. Buddhism began around the 5thcaste Hindus, who had been brought up to
century BCE with the teachings of Siddharthabelieve that their only hope was to observe
Gautama, commonly referred to as ""thethe 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 wasHindus into a lifetime of servitude and
the dominant religion accessible to theoppression, 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 Buddhathe first time they were given a feeling of
was "in a state of religious ferment," it wascontrol over their own lives, in the sense
a period during which the authority of Thethat salvation was attainable through a
Vedas was in doubt; this was significant ascourse of right conduct and action rather
The Vedas were central to Hinduism.than adherence to rules made by those in
Therefore, scepticism regarding theirpower. Thus Buddhism gained support by
authority was seen as scepticism regardingespousing the virtues of freedom for all
the Hindu religion itself. The Buddhabeings, and by preaching that salvation was
addressed what he perceived to be theattainable  inside  oneself.
shortcomings of Hinduism; he rejected the
inequitable nature of the caste system andAs 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 ofstressed a great deal of importance on the
the Brahmins. It is also interesting to noteaccessibility of its teachings. It was for
that  Buddhism  was  the  firstthis reason alone that The Buddha preached in
Pali, the then common language of the
"Religion" to indoctrinate women into itsGangetic Plain. Spears- "Buddha was an
religious order or sangha. The Buddha alsoopponent of hiding the truth in the mystery
held the superstitious nature of Hinduism inof a strange language and unintelligible
disdain, as Spears says, "He (Buddha) was anbooks…his message was for all
opponent of the priesthood, magic andequally…" Thus, a factor crucial to
sacrifice." Buddha advocated rightful conductdetermining the success of Buddhism in India
over spells and charms. This line of thoughtwas the level of its accessibility,
held particular resonance with members of theparticularly to the common man who had long
middle class, who were growing increasinglybeen deprived of religious or philosophical
critical of the aristocratic privilegeeducation, 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, whichBuddhism's success in India lay in its
were often in the form of spells andattempts to be tolerant of, yet distinct from
sacrifice. Buddha's open rejection ofHinduism. Initially this worked, however as
Hinduism was highly inflammatory, especiallytime went on the fusing of Hindu and Buddhist
to the Brahmins. However, Buddha's message oftraditions eventually meant that Buddhism was
equality for all strongly appealed to thesimply absorbed by the dominant Hinduism.
lower castes within Hindu society. Thus, theThus, the early success of Buddhism in India
egalitarian nature of Buddhism, as well ascan be attributed to its egalitarian,
its renunciation of Hindu ritualism andaccessible 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'sthe support and promulgation it received
salvation being reliant upon an externalunder 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 amany this reform was to be found in Buddhism.
philosophy. The early Buddhist sects were



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