what are the causes of the rise of buddhism

Top 11 Causes for the Rise of Buddhism in India

• 1. Influence of Time: 6th Century B.C. was an ideal time for the spread of Buddhism. ...
• 2. Simple Doctrines: As compared with Jainism, Buddhism was essentially simple. ...
• 3. Simple Language: ADVERTISEMENTS: ...
• 4. Personality of Buddha: The personality of the Buddha endeared him and his religion to the masses. ...
• 5. Inexpensive: ...
• 6. No Caste Harried: ...
• 7. Royal Patronage: ...
• 8. Role of the Universities: ...

Full Answer

How did the Buddha influence the world?

His calm composure, sweet words of simple philosophy and his life of renunciation drew the masses to him. He had ready moral solutions for problems of the people. His example of a prince renouncing the world to save humanity from sins and rebirth and wandering from place to place to convince the people with his messages and sermons came to naturally evoke awe, admiration and acceptance of the people for him and his religion. The spread of Buddhism was thus rapid.

When did Buddhism start?

Right from its beginning in the 6th Century B.C., Buddhism had no rivals to reckon or contend with. Though Jainism became popular, the severity of its laws made people far away from it. The missionary zeal of Buddhism was conspicuously absent in contemporary Hinduism. There was no reformer to cleanse the Brahminical faith and spread it among the people in its pure form. Islam and Christianity were yet to be born. As a result. Buddhism came to hold an unrivalled sway throughout India.

Why was the Council of Kaniska unique?

This council was unique because all discussions here were carried out in Sanskrit and an analysis of Buddhism was made into the form of an encyclopedia of Buddhism called ‘Mahabivasha’. Kaniska ordered the gist of all discussions to be engraved on copper-plates to be preserved in stone-chambers of a stupa.

What were the roles of Kanishka and Harshavardhan?

Kanishka and Harshavardhan worked untiringly for the spread of Buddhism throughout India. 8. Role of the Universities: Prominent was also the role of the Universities at Nalanda, Taxila, Puspagiri and Vikramsila in the spread of Buddhism.

What was the role of the Buddhist Councils in India?

The Buddhist Councils played an important role for the teaching and spread of Buddhism in India. Following the death (Mahaparinirvana) of Lord Buddha, the First-Buddhist Council was held in 487 B.C. (or 486 B.C.) in the Magadhan capital at Rajagriha, under the leadership of Ajatasatru and the presidency of Mahakashyap.

What language did Buddha use?

The Buddha spread his message in the simple language of the masses of people. The Prakrit language which Buddha used was the spoken language of India. The Vedic religion was understood only with the help of Sanskrit language which was the monopoly of the Brahmins.

When was the second Buddhist council?

Exactly hundred years later, in 387 B.C. (or 386 B.C.) the Second Buddhist Council was convened at Vaisali under the supervision of Kalasoka Kakavarni. This council relaxed some of the principles of Buddhism like preserving salt, tacking lunch after mid-day, receiving gold and silver and the like.

What were the two great teachers who put before the people new religions?

They were in a mood to revolt against these social evils. It was Gautama Buddha and Vardhaman Mahavira, two great teachers, who put before the people new religions which were simple, easy to follow and free from expenses Naturally, people were drawn towards Jainism and Buddhism that laid stress on pure and ascetic living.

Why were animals sacrificed in the Yajnas?

In the new form of yajnas, animals were sacrificed in large numbers. This was a threat to the prosperous agricultural economy as well as to animal husbandry. The sacrifices and yajnas, which had become an important part of some Hindu rituals, caused financial problems to the common man. Slaughter of animals to please the gods through sacrifices hurt their feelings. Tired of these unnecessary rituals, the people wanted a religion that was simple in form, easy to follow and economical to practise.

When did Vedic philosophy lose its purity?

The Vedic philosophy had lost its original purity and in the sixth century B.C. it was reduced to a bundle of cumbrous rituals. The rites and ceremonies were painfully elaborate and awfully expensive. The common man developed a great dislike for these rituals.

What was the rig Vedic system?

The Rig Vedic Aryans had organized Varna System on the basis of occupation in order to run the affairs of the society smoothly. However, it came to be transformed into a caste system based on birth during the later Vedic period. By the sixth century B.C. it became very rigid. The first three varnas i.e. Brahmanas, Kshatriyas and Vaishyas were known as dwija. They were entitled to wear the sacred thread (Janeu) and read the Vedas. But the ‘Sudras’ who belonged to the fourth varna were deprived of this privilege. They could neither wear the sacred thread nor could study the Vedas. Thus, there was a growth of resentment against the Vedic tradition among a large number of people.

Causes for the rise of Jainism and Buddhism

Brahmins in connivance with state power rigidly divided post-Vedic Indian society into four different Varnas or classes. Each Vana and the castes therein were assigned well-defined functions and duties as prescribed by Brahmanical shastras.

Kshatriya reaction to Brahmanical Supremacy

While not much is known about the reactions of the vaishyas and the shudras, the Kshatriyas or the ruling classes deeply resented the final say of Brahmins on matters of knowledge and rituals. Some even protested against the importance attached to birth in the varna system.

Agrarian and Economic Causes

Before the 6th century BC, regions of eastern UP and Bihar were densely forested and prone to erosion and frequent flooding. However, the discovery of iron led to the large-scale clearance of forests with the help of iron axes.

Mercantile Causes

In the fifth century BC, the rise of a large number of cities and the issuance of coins by rulers in northeastern India facilitated trade and commerce. As a result, a new category of Vaishya class arose in the form of rich traders and artisans.

Reaction against the rise of Propertied Classes

Jainism and Buddhism were also a result of strong reactions against various forms of private property. Before the rise of new agrarian and the mercantile classes in the fertile Gangetic plains, people at large were habituated to a primitive lifestyle and barter system.

Why Jainism and Buddhism appealed to Common People?

According to RS Sharma, Buddhist and Jain monks were asked to forego the luxuries of life and were forbidden to touch gold and silver. They were allowed to accept only as much from their patrons as was sufficient to keep body and soul together.

Conclusion

In conclusion, agrarian and mercantile factors coupled with social tensions and reactions against Brahmanical supremacy were some of the major causes for the rise of Jainism and Buddhism in India.

What were the causes of the decline of Buddhism?

The revival of Brahmanism and the rise of Bhagavatism led to the fall of popularity of Buddhism. The use of Pali, the language of the masses as the language of Buddhism was given up from the 1st century A.D. The Buddhists began to adopt Sanskrit, the language of the elite. After the birth of Mahayana Buddhism, the practice of idol worship and making offerings led to the deterioration of moral standards. Moreover, the attack of the Huns in 5th and 6th centuries and the Turkish invaders in 12th century destroyed the monasteries. All these factors contributed to the decline of Buddhism in India.

What was the cause of the rise of Jainism and Buddhism?

The primary cause for the rise of Jainism and Buddhism was the religious unrest in India in the 6th century B.C. The complex rituals and sacrifices advocated in the Later Vedic period were not acceptable to the common people. The sacrificial ceremonies were also found to be too expensive. The superstitious beliefs and mantras confused the people. The teachings of Upanishads, an alternative to the system of sacrifices, were highly philosophical in nature and therefore not easily understood by all. Therefore, what was needed in the larger interests of the people was a simple, short and intelligible way to salvation for all people. Such religious teaching should also be in a language known to them. This need was fulfilled by the teachings of Buddha and Mahavira.

What was the purpose of the first Buddhist council?

Its purpose was to maintain the purity of the teachings of the Buddha. The second Buddhist Council was convened at Vaisali around 383 B.C. The third Buddhist Council was held at Pataliputra under the patronage of Asoka. Moggaliputta Tissa presided over it. The final version of Tripitakas was completed in this council. The fourth Buddhist Council was convened in Kashmir by Kanishka under the chairmanship of Vasumitra. Asvagosha participated in this council. The new school of Buddhism called Mahayana Buddhism came into existence during this council. The Buddhism preached by the Buddha and propagated by Asoka was known as Hinayana.

Why did Mahavira organize the Sangha?

Mahavira organised the Sangha to spread his teachings. He admitted both men and women in the Sangha, which consisted of both monks and lay followers. The rapid spread of Jainism was due to the dedicated work of the members of the Sangha. It spread rapidly in Western India and Karnataka. Chandragupta Maurya, Kharavela of Kalinga and the royal dynasties of south India such as the Gangas, the Kadambas, the Chalukyas and the Rashtrakutas patronized Jainism.

What were the two types of disciples of Buddha?

Buddha had two kinds of disciples – monks (bhikshus) and lay worshippers (upasikas). The monks were organized into the Sangha for the purpose of spreading his teachings. The membership was open to all persons, male or female and without any caste restrictions. There was a special code for nuns restricting their

Who was Gautama Buddha?

Life of Gautama Buddha (567- 487 B.C.) Gautama or Siddhartha, the founder of Buddhism, was born in 567 B.C. in Lumbini Garden near Kapilavastu. His father was Suddodhana of the Sakya clan and mother Mayadevi. As his mother died at child birth, he was brought up by his aunt Prajapati Gautami. At the age of sixteen he married Yasodhara and gave birth to a son, Rahula. The sight of an old man, a diseased man, a corpse and an ascetic turned him away from worldly life. He left home at the age of twenty nine in search of Truth. He wandered for seven years and met several teachers but could not get enlightenment. At last, he sat under a bodhi tree at Bodh Gaya and did intense penance, after which he got Enlightenment (Nirvana) at the age of thirty five. Since then he became known as the Buddha or ‘the Enlightened One’. He delivered his first sermon at Sarnath near Benares and for the next forty five years he led the life of a preacher. He died at the age of eighty at Kusinagara.

Was Buddhism a social or religious revolution?

Though he did not make a direct attack on the caste system, he was against any social distinctions and threw open his order to all. Therefore, Buddhism was more a social than religious revolution . It taught the code of practical ethics and laid down the principle of social equality.

What were the causes of Buddhism and Jainism?

Causes of Origin of Buddhism and Jainism. Post-Vedic society was clearly divided into four varnas: Brahmanas, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas and Shudras. Each Varna was assigned well-defined functions which generated tensions. The Kshatriya reaction against the domination of the Brahmanas, who claimed various privileges, ...

What led to the rise of new religions in India?

Spread of a new agricultural economy in north-eastern India including eastern U.P. and Bihar also led to rise of new religions. The agricultural economy based on the iron ploughshare required the use of bullocks, and could not flourish without animal husbandry. However, the Vedic practice of killing cattle indiscriminately in sacrifices hampered the progress of the new agriculture.

Why did the Vaishyas lent money?

Therefore, the vaishyas, who lent money because of the growing trade and commerce, were held in low esteem and looked for better social status.

Which religion did not attach any importance to the existing Varna system?

Jainism and Buddhism at the initial stage did not attach any importance to the existing Varna system.

Who was the leader of Jainism and Buddhism?

The Kshatriya reaction against the domination of the Brahmanas, who claimed various privileges, was one of the causes of the origin of new religions. Vardhamana Mahavira, who really founded Jainism, and Gautama Buddha, who founded Buddhism, belonged to the Kshatriya clan, and both disputed the authority of the Brahmanas.

Which religions were known for their simple, puritan, ascetic living?

Both Jainism and Buddhism propounded simple, puritan, ascetic living which appealed to the old-fashioned people who did not like the use and accumulation of coins, new dwellings and clothes, new luxurious systems of transport, war and violence etc.