Buddhism Religion in India – Facts and Details

The Indian subcontinent has an assortment of religions, castes, cultures, and faiths that make it a melting pot of spiritual experiences. Among the different religions here, one of the major religions is Buddhism. Buddhism is listed as one of the chief religions in the world and has had a significant influence in the subcontinent of India. Prince Siddhartha, commonly known as Buddha, the founder of Buddhism, gave up his royal life for spirituality when he founded Buddhism around 500 B.C. The main features of Buddhism are meditation, non-violence, and the holiness of life. Buddhism in India has a long history, and to understand the reach of the religion, you need to learn about its roots.

1. Life is suffering.
2. Suffering is due to attachment.
3. We can overcome attachment.
4. The path is through discipline and meditation.

The concept of the Eightfold Path was an important aspect of Buddhism. They are:

• Right Speech
• Right Action
• Right Means of Livelihood
• Right Exertion
• Right Mindfulness
• Right Meditation
• Right Resolution
• Right View

At the age of 80, Gautama Buddha attained his final escape from the cycle of life and died, leaving his monastic order, which was further maintained by his followers and disciples.

History of Buddhism in India

By the end of the 3rd century B.C., Buddhism had spread to South Asia through the efforts of the Mauryan Empire. By the 7th century A.D., it had spread to East and Southeast Asia, establishing itself as the largest religion in the world (in terms of total followers). In memory of Buddha, many members of Indian royalty and merchants patronized the religion and created beautiful stone structures called stupas.

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Buddhism in Bodh Gaya

Bodh Gaya is a much-revered destination, as it is the place where Lord Buddha attained spiritual nirvana or enlightenment. This place has a huge Bodhi tree under which Gautama carried out rigorous penance and attained the much-sought-after Nirvana. After the growth of Buddhism and the death of Gautama, great temples and monasteries were built in Bodh Gaya to commemorate Buddha. Archaeologists reveal that the impact of Buddhism was particularly notable in the 1840s, with Buddhist art, iconography, and architecture in India. Saffron-attired monks with heads shaved and travelling with gowns can be seen lighting red candles at the base of the temple. Another tree can be seen encased with green metal and a fence around it, with a sign saying, “Prince Siddhartha attained enlightenment sitting under this Bodhi tree (Peepal tree).”

Sarnath

Sarnath, near Varanasi, is the second most important place for Buddha after Bodh Gaya, as this is where Buddha gave his first sermon after attaining enlightenment. During other addresses, he revealed the Eightfold Path and the concept of Nirvana in Buddhism. Today, this place is marked by the Dhamek Stupa, a 34-meter-tall domed shrine. This stupa was built during the Mauryan period and is covered with elaborate engravings. It also houses a deer park, a garden, and ruins of monasteries that once sheltered 1,500 monks.

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The Schools of Buddhism

In the 5th century, a new monastic university was established in Nalanda, which became the chief center for learning. Nalanda had a well-known Buddhist scholar, Bodhidharma, who took Buddhism to China. A Yogic practice school was also established by Nagarjuna, which emphasized meditative practices.

Decline of Buddhism in India

It is believed that Turkish invaders began destroying the monasteries by the 13th century, and after that, Buddhism started disappearing in India. It was only followed in Bhutan and Sikkim. It is also said that the center for the monks was monasteries, which were destroyed, leaving them without a place to stay. Some other factors include the influence of Islam, the loss of royal patronage, the slow adoption of popular religions, the luxurious life of the monks, the revival of Hinduism, and internal corruption.

Revival of Buddhism

Buddhism made a strong and dynamic comeback in the early 20th century, as it gained momentum through a combination of European curiosity, philosophical strength, and the devoted efforts of a few Indian and international followers. Dampara of the Sri Lankan shrine founded the Mahabodhi Society in 1891 and reinforced control over the Buddhist shrine in Gaya, India. A key revolution arose in 1956 after 30 years of Dalit (untouchable) agitation when Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, leader of the untouchables, proclaimed that he was converting to Buddhism as a way to escape the Hindu caste system. He gathered untouchables (also known as Harijans or Dalits) from places like Maharashtra, its neighboring areas, and Agra from Uttar Pradesh to Nagpur (a place in Maharashtra). The arrival of the Buddhist monk Dalai Lama from Tibet to India brought thousands of followers here, creating more awareness and knowledge about this religion.

Buddhism and Dalits

Dalit Hindus began to convert to Buddhism in the mid-20th century. These groups of Dalit Hindus were known as Neo-Buddhists. The main credit for the conversion goes to Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. Dr. Ambedkar is recognized as the Father of Neo-Buddhism. Many Dalit people keep his picture at their homes. He has been crowned as a bodhisattva. His birthday is a major festival in some places. In New Delhi, there are gatherings where people take vows and declare themselves Buddhists. This is an interesting aspect of Buddhism in India.