| Buddhism is a variety of teachings described as a | | | | “man, who created God in his own image,” |
| religion or way of life. One point of view says it is a | | | | whilst the agnostics believed that the search for and |
| body of philosophies influenced by the teachings of | | | | contemplation of God was “an exercise in |
| Siddhartha Gautama, known as Gautama Buddha. | | | | futility.” Both of these beliefs were in stark contrast |
| Another point of view says it is teachings to guide one | | | | to Hinduism’s worship of a pantheon of Gods. |
| to directly experiencing reality. Many scholars regard it | | | | Buddha championed the benefits of meditation and |
| as a plurality rather than a single entity. Buddhism is | | | | reflective practises over prayer, ritual fasting and |
| also known as Buddha Dharma or Dhamma, which | | | | sacrifices. Buddha’s philosophy taught that salvation |
| means roughly the ""teachings of the Awakened | | | | lay in one’s own hands. This belief was certainly a |
| One"" in Sanskrit and Pali, languages of ancient | | | | revelation to low caste Hindus, who had been brought |
| Buddhist texts. Buddhism began around the 5th century | | | | up to believe that their only hope was to observe the |
| BCE with the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama, | | | | laws of dharma (duty to one’s caste) in order to |
| commonly referred to as ""the Buddha"". | | | | be reborn into a higher position in the next life. The |
| At the time Siddhartha Gautama (Buddha) founded his | | | | importance stressed on dharma effectively immobilised |
| system of beliefs, Hinduism was the dominant religion | | | | lower caste Hindus into a lifetime of servitude and |
| accessible to the educated people only. | | | | oppression, it also served to perpetuate the hegemonic |
| India, during the lifetime of Gautama Buddha was “in | | | | nature of Indian society. Buddha’s teachings |
| a state of religious ferment,” it was a period during | | | | liberated lower caste Hindus. For the first time they |
| which the authority of The Vedas was in doubt; this | | | | were given a feeling of control over their own lives, in |
| was significant as The Vedas were central to | | | | the sense that salvation was attainable through a |
| Hinduism. Therefore, scepticism regarding their authority | | | | course of right conduct and action rather than |
| was seen as scepticism regarding the Hindu religion | | | | adherence to rules made by those in power. Thus |
| itself. The Buddha addressed what he perceived to be | | | | Buddhism gained support by espousing the virtues of |
| the shortcomings of Hinduism; he rejected the | | | | freedom for all beings, and by preaching that salvation |
| inequitable nature of the caste system and preached | | | | was attainable inside oneself. |
| instead that all beings were equal; by doing this he | | | | As well as placing emphasis on the attainability of |
| challenged the supremacy of the Brahmins. It is also | | | | salvation, Buddhism also stressed a great deal of |
| interesting to note that Buddhism was the first | | | | importance on the accessibility of its teachings. It was |
| “Religion” to indoctrinate women into its religious | | | | for this reason alone that The Buddha preached in Pali, |
| order or sangha. The Buddha also held the | | | | the then common language of the Gangetic Plain. |
| superstitious nature of Hinduism in disdain, as Spears | | | | Spears- “Buddha was an opponent of hiding the |
| says, “He (Buddha) was an opponent of the | | | | truth in the mystery of a strange language and |
| priesthood, magic and sacrifice.” Buddha advocated | | | | unintelligible books…his message was for all |
| rightful conduct over spells and charms. This line of | | | | equally…” Thus, a factor crucial to determining the |
| thought held particular resonance with members of the | | | | success of Buddhism in India was the level of its |
| middle class, who were growing increasingly critical of | | | | accessibility, particularly to the common man who had |
| the aristocratic privilege bestowed upon Brahmin | | | | long been deprived of religious or philosophical |
| priests. The priests, in turn maintained their stronghold | | | | education, accessibility also fostered a sense of |
| over Hinduism by way of performing rituals, which | | | | inclusiveness. |
| were often in the form of spells and sacrifice. | | | | Buddhism’s success in India lay in its attempts to be |
| Buddha’s open rejection of Hinduism was highly | | | | tolerant of, yet distinct from Hinduism. Initially this |
| inflammatory, especially to the Brahmins. However, | | | | worked, however as time went on the fusing of Hindu |
| Buddha’s message of equality for all strongly | | | | and Buddhist traditions eventually meant that Buddhism |
| appealed to the lower castes within Hindu society. | | | | was simply absorbed by the dominant Hinduism. Thus, |
| Thus, the egalitarian nature of Buddhism, as well as its | | | | the early success of Buddhism in India can be |
| renunciation of Hindu ritualism and Brahmanism | | | | attributed to its egalitarian, accessible and peaceful |
| contributed to its success. | | | | nature, it’s addressing of the social tensions of the |
| The Buddha rejected the idea of man’s salvation | | | | day (particularly those regarding Hinduism), and the |
| being reliant upon an external force or being such as | | | | support and promulgation it received under several |
| God. In this sense, Buddhism is not a religion, but rather | | | | rulers. The social atmosphere of the time was calling |
| a philosophy. The early Buddhist sects were either | | | | for reform, and for many this reform was to be found |
| atheistic or agnostic. The atheists believed it was | | | | in Buddhism. |