Impact of Buddhism to Indian Culture

Introduction

• Buddhism is one of the most important religions in the world.
• It originated in India during 6th century BC.
• Buddhism emerged as a challenge to the Brahamanical supremacy and the caste inequality.
• It declared that caste or varna should not come into the way of person's seeking to obtain 'Nirvana'. 

Buddha

• The founder of the Buddhism is Buddha.
• The Buddha was born Siddhartha Gautama, a prince of Sakya tribe of Nepal in 566 BC.
• When the Buddha was 29 years old, he left the comforts of home in order to seek the meaning of suffering he saw around him.
• After 6 years of Arduous Yogic training, he sat beneath a Bodhi tree on the full moon of May and with the rising of the morning star he became Buddha, the en-lighted one. 
• After that a community of monks are developed around him.
• The Buddha died at the age of 80.

Principles of Buddhism

1. To do no evil.
2. To cultivate good
3. To purify one's mind.

Impacts of Buddhism

1. It Reduced the Caste Inequality in India

• It emerged as a challenge to the caste inequality in India and to assure the social justice and equality. 
• A large number of people who belong to different castes, especially those who belong to lower castes started accepting Buddhism.
• Buddha who had a soft corner towards the lower community inspired Brahmins to correct themselves.

2. It Enriched the Spritual and Intellectual Life 

• Hinduism was full of rituals, customs, traditions etc, whereas humanity was the main source of Buddhism.
• In Buddhism all the monks are equal and they have simple philosophy. 
• As a result many Hindus accepted Buddhism.
• It has spread its influence both inside and outside the boarders of India.

3. Buddhism Introduced Idol-Worship

•  Idol-worship was introduced by Buddhist in India.
• After the death of Buddha, his followers created an image of Buddha and built temples for him to worship.
• The Mahabodhi Temple was one of the four holy sites related to the life of Buddha.
• This idea of ideal-worshiping influenced the Hinduism to a great extent.

4. Buddhism Introduced Organization

• In Hinduism there was no organization before. 
• Buddhism introduced organization by accepting one order or one leader.
• This influenced the Hindu thinkers and they started establishing organizations.
• Today in India we can see a large number of organizations.

5. It Encouraged the Development of Regional Language

• Contributions of Buddhism towards the development of regional language has been remarkable. 
• The language of culture hitherto had been Sanskrit and the text of Brahamanical region were in Sanskrit.
• Buddhist texts were written in Pali. This helped the development of Pali language and literature. 

6. Buddhism Encouraged Education

• Buddhism gave a special important to education.
• Buddhist monks are great scholars. 
• It extended the educational opportunities for women.
• Universities such as Nalanda and Taxila had earned names in ancient world.