Milind Wankhade
Mumbai
At present, the question of moral values has become very urgent for the entire human race.
The entire human race has found itself in the vicious circle of cultural conflict, the language of war and religious decline. There is no limit to ideological chaos.
In such a time of great emergency, Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar, while explaining Buddhism, uttered the Dhamma in Colombo, from which there is no objection to believing that the people of all countries and especially India will see the true light and the importance of true moral values will be measured.
Addressing the students of the Young Men’s Buddhist Association in Colombo on the subject of the rise and fall of Buddhism in India, Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar, a very thought-provoking and revolutionary, said on 6 June 1950…
Buddhism has declined in India and has almost disappeared. Even if I say so, I do not accept this at all.
From a worldly perspective, the spread or signs of Buddhism may not be visible in India, and I will accept that for a moment. However, Buddhism, as a spiritual force, is still alive in India with a vivid influence. No one can admit this.
But it is a pity that the question of how Buddhism emerged has not yet been considered. Considering the importance of Buddhism, this subject should be studied realistically and in depth. The importance of such studies is even greater in India today.
The fact that there is no official text or other discourse on this subject is a problem. Those who want to revive Buddhism face the question, if Buddhism had any eternal values, how did it decline? I am trying to find information about this.
According to the information I have collected so far, the assumptions I have made about the emergence and decline of Buddhism are almost correct. I think so.
Most people believe that Hinduism was present in India from the beginning. If we examine this event on the basis of history, this belief cannot be sustained.
Hinduism was not in India from the beginning. Looking at the current state of Hinduism, it seems that it has emerged very recently. Hinduism was established through a transition.
Initially, there was Vedic religion in India. After that, Brahminism came and now finally Hinduism was formed. Such changes have taken place gradually.
Buddhism emerged during the time of Brahminism. And that situation was natural. The spirit of Brahminism was of inequality; while the spirit of Buddhism was of equality.
Of course, in these two different systems of thought, Buddhism was like a challenge to Brahminism. Because Buddhism was opposed to the four-caste system. Equality is inevitable through a revolution. The revolutionary work that was done by the establishment was done because of the emergence of Buddhism. In this way, many people say that if we understand the circumstances under which Buddhism emerged, we will understand its importance.
Buddhism became ineffective because of Shankaracharya’s knowledge of principles and due to the debate on tactics. In my opinion, this is wrong.
Because even after Shankaracharya’s death, Buddhism flourished in India for many years.
I think that Shankaracharya and his guru were Buddhists.
This ruse to gradually eliminate Buddhism was another one due to the blatant propaganda of Vaishnavism and Shaivism.
In this, the Muslim voices added, “They copied Buddhism!” These religions had done so. Buddhism began to decline due to copying.
When Alauddin Khilji invaded Bihar, he killed 5000 to 6000 Buddhist monks. Due to this, the remaining Buddhist monks went to China, Nepal, Tibet, etc.
After that, the revival of Buddhism was carried out. But that attempt could not be successful. Because in the meantime, Hinduism had spread and 90 percent of the people had become Hindus.
Hinduism is easy to practice. Therefore, it remained. (Whenever, wherever, all worries are placed on God, it will be done)
The simple and straightforward answer is that Buddhism declined because Buddhism was difficult to practice (morality, virtue).
Apart from this, the political environment in India was not favorable to Hinduism (just like today). This should be kept in mind.
