Influence Of Buddhism In India

Now days, there are approximately 4200 different religions in the world, but only four are non-theistic. One of them is Buddhism. The history of Buddhism spans the 6 century B.C.E. (some scholars have argue for the 5th century B.C.E.) to the present, and its origin it’s usually linked to the birth of Siddhartha Gautama, popularly known as Buddha or “the enlightened one” , in Nepal, India. Buddhism emerged at a time of significant social and political change. In the areas where it proliferated, urban centers were growing rapidly and creating new social conditions. Buddhism due to its egalitarian ideals, its structures for organizing community, and its opportunities for social and religious mobility, was well-suited for the time. With the development …show more content…
India was the birth place of four of the world’s major religions: Hinduism, Jainism, Sikhism, and Buddhism; religious tolerance constitutes part of their law. Even though Buddhism emerged in India, recent studies have shown that only the 0.8 % of this county’s population practices Buddhism. Therefore its influence on the lives and culture on India’s people is somewhat shadowed by other religions such as Hinduism.
This said, Buddhism greatly influenced the Indian religion, providing people with an uncomplicated and popular religion. Buddhism rejected ritualism, sacrifices and dominance of priestly class. Buddhism was widely accepted by the masses because of its simplicity, use of native language in its sacred writings and teachings, and monastic order. Buddhism caused deep impact on the society. It gave serious impetus to democratic spirit and social equality. It opened its doors to women and shudras (Hindu’s lowest caste). Buddhism motivated the extintion of distinctions in society, giving strength to the principle of social