| In this Buddhism religion history, I will cover its history | | | | Anyway, Buddhism spread over the next 1500 years |
| in India. | | | | starting around the beginning of the Christian era. |
| In actual fact Buddhism covered almost the whole of | | | | Mahayana has conquered the entire Northern half of |
| Asia - excluding perhaps Russia. But I cannot cover all | | | | the Buddhist world and the Buddhists of Nepal, Tibet, |
| these details in a short article. | | | | Mongolia, China, Korea and Japan are nearly all |
| The Shakyamuni Buddha founded Buddhism through | | | | Mahayanists. |
| his enlightenment and teaching. He livd between 563 | | | | In India itself Buddhism came to an end about 1200 |
| BC and 483 BC | | | | A.D. though is some States and districts such as |
| Buddhism gained in popularity in India mainly during | | | | Magadha, Bengal, Orissa and South India it lingered on |
| the reign of King Asoka (274-236BCE) because of his | | | | for another 200 or 300 years. |
| patronage. Asoka is remembered in countries as far | | | | The main reason for this decline and extinction was |
| away as Japan because of his efforts to promote | | | | the Muslim invasions. These ruthless conquerors - with |
| and spread Buddhism. Asoka played an important role | | | | their zeal and hatred of idolatry - burned down |
| in Buddhism religion history. | | | | flourishing monasteries and universities in Sindh and |
| The doctrine which arose as a result of the original | | | | Bengal and killed all the monks. This however was not |
| Buddha's teaching is Theravada Buddhism - or the | | | | the only reason as Hinduism and Jainism were subject |
| Path of the Elders. It is also called Hinayana Buddhism. | | | | to the same fury and stood their ground. The other |
| Around and between the period 0-500 of the | | | | reasons were:- |
| Christian era Mahayana Buddhism took shape in India. | | | | 1) Hinduism had itself assimilated much of Mahayana |
| Mahayana is also called the Greater Vehicle as it | | | | Buddhist thought the Buddhist were now not |
| contains many more skillful means to attain | | | | teaching anything different and new. |
| enlightenment as compared to the Theravada | | | | 2) Buddhism failed to benefit the laity substantially |
| tradition. | | | | and depended for its patronage mostly on kings. |
| So this is another important fact that must be | | | | Where such patronage was lacking, it declined. Jainism |
| mentioned in a Buddhism religion history. | | | | on the other hand had wealthy merchants patronizing |
| Alan Watts describes the evolution of Mahayana | | | | them who considered it an honor to support ascetics. |
| Buddhism as a response to the psychological needs | | | | this is an important shortcoming of Buddhism in India |
| caused by following the original Theravada doctrine. | | | | and must be mentioned in any Buddhism religion |
| There was also a need for transformation to meet | | | | history. |
| the needs of new ages, new populations and | | | | 3) Buddhism had lost its creative impulse and no new |
| different social circumstances. The old doctrine had | | | | literature and doctrines were being developed at that |
| become stale and was producing very few sages or | | | | time. |
| Arahats. Thus, a new literature came into being and | | | | 4) The other- world Buddhist monks did not consider |
| this is one of the most magnificent outbursts of | | | | the country of their residence very important. When |
| creative energy in human history. The realized master | | | | they were unable to practice their monastic discipline |
| Nagarjuna lived in this period, which lasted for almost | | | | they simply left for other countries such as Nepal, |
| 500 years. During this period also Mahayana Buddhism | | | | Tibet, China, etc. Thus the very reasons that led to |
| came in touch with non-Indian influence. In North- | | | | the spread of Buddhism to other countries in Asia |
| west India where it developed it came in touch with | | | | caused its decline in India. |
| Greek culture as well as influences from the | | | | 5) The Buddhist monks themselves regarded their |
| Mediterranean and the Iranian world. This is an | | | | own doctrine as having a limited shelf life. All is |
| important stage in Buddhism religion history. | | | | transient according to Buddhism and their own religion |
| This incidentally rendered Buddhism fit for export | | | | is not excluded. Thus when circumstances were such |
| outside India as for it to spread to other countries it | | | | as existed at that time the only thing to do was to |
| first had to go through a preliminary phase of | | | | retire gracefully from the scene. So this then is |
| de-Indianization. | | | | Buddhism religion history in India. |