Between the era of 600 BCE and 600 CE, as religious diffusion took place across the globe, India experienced many changes such as the rise of buddhism, and the threat of it’s people adopting a new religion, while hinduism continuously remained as the predominant religion of the area. The rise of Buddhism in India served as a change in the religious demographic of India. Buddhism was developed unintentionally in India by the prince Siddhartha Gautama. The story is told that the Buddha (Prince Gautama,) was born a prince in a lavish palace who led a lavish lifestyle. One day he ventured into the world where for the first time in his life he witnessed sorrow and poverty. As a response the buddha went to meditate, and through his meditation discovered
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Hinduism served much more purpose than simply being a religion, but in a way also served as a political system. One of the defining details of Hinduism was the caste system which placed all peoples in a certain social hierarchy. The caste system called for Brahmins or priests being the head, the Kshatriya class of warriors and rulers coming second, followed by the Vaisya common class, succeeded by the Sudais class of natives and/or servants, with finally the untouchables being at the bottom of the hierarchy. The caste system was an extension of Karma, the belief that one 's actions in a past life resulted for their placement in their future lives. As a result, people seeking to move up a class in the next life did their duties to their certain class in the present life. This began to change c. 563 BCE or c. 480 BCE when The Buddha was born. Growing up as prince living a lavish lifestyle, The Buddha was shocked when he witnessed the suffering in the world. He then spent the rest of his life trying to understand sorrow and suffering and it’s place in the world. Through this journey he gained followers and his teachings became known as the eightfold path. Buddhism became appealing to followers of Hinduism who were born into the lower classes due to the fact that Buddhism did not have a social hierarchy as dramatic as the one of Hinduism. This in turn led people to question the social …show more content…
With its relaxed social structure and simplistic religious views it was strongly enticing. Although this was not enough to squelch Hinduism. Hinduism was already the religion of the majority and had placed its roots so deeply in society that the religion prevailed. With it also serving as the state 's political structure, there was little need or desire for change which in turn allowed for Hinduism to continue its reign.
Even with the current global diffusion of religion occurring, current religions in certain areas with strong followings did not waver. The era of 600 BCE to 600 CE was an era home to significant change in India. With hinduism 's social hierarchy being challenged and the idea of Buddhism coming to challenge the numbers of Hinduism change was evident. However what remained the same was Hinduism prevailing as the leading religion. This can all be connected to religious diffusion being played out on a global scale. Buddhism interacting with Hinduism was merely an example of
Hinduism served much more purpose than simply being a religion, but in a way also served as a political system. One of the defining details of Hinduism was the caste system which placed all peoples in a certain social hierarchy. The caste system called for Brahmins or priests being the head, the Kshatriya class of warriors and rulers coming second, followed by the Vaisya common class, succeeded by the Sudais class of natives and/or servants, with finally the untouchables being at the bottom of the hierarchy. The caste system was an extension of Karma, the belief that one 's actions in a past life resulted for their placement in their future lives. As a result, people seeking to move up a class in the next life did their duties to their certain class in the present life. This began to change c. 563 BCE or c. 480 BCE when The Buddha was born. Growing up as prince living a lavish lifestyle, The Buddha was shocked when he witnessed the suffering in the world. He then spent the rest of his life trying to understand sorrow and suffering and it’s place in the world. Through this journey he gained followers and his teachings became known as the eightfold path. Buddhism became appealing to followers of Hinduism who were born into the lower classes due to the fact that Buddhism did not have a social hierarchy as dramatic as the one of Hinduism. This in turn led people to question the social …show more content…
With its relaxed social structure and simplistic religious views it was strongly enticing. Although this was not enough to squelch Hinduism. Hinduism was already the religion of the majority and had placed its roots so deeply in society that the religion prevailed. With it also serving as the state 's political structure, there was little need or desire for change which in turn allowed for Hinduism to continue its reign.
Even with the current global diffusion of religion occurring, current religions in certain areas with strong followings did not waver. The era of 600 BCE to 600 CE was an era home to significant change in India. With hinduism 's social hierarchy being challenged and the idea of Buddhism coming to challenge the numbers of Hinduism change was evident. However what remained the same was Hinduism prevailing as the leading religion. This can all be connected to religious diffusion being played out on a global scale. Buddhism interacting with Hinduism was merely an example of