Why did Buddhism become popular in India?
I learned this so long ago idk what the answer is anymore. I cant even remember what I ate for breakfast..
Have you tried rereading your text -- or the source of this information?
It became popular in India because everybody listened to the "enlightened one" and because it was so easy to follow
Buddhism became popular in India due to various factors and historical events that played a crucial role in its rise. To understand why it became popular, let's break down the key factors:
1. Life of Siddhartha Gautama: Siddhartha Gautama, later known as Buddha, was born in the 6th century BCE in present-day Nepal. After witnessing suffering and dissatisfaction in the world, he embarked on a spiritual journey seeking enlightenment. His teachings, emphasizing compassion, nonviolence, and the elimination of suffering, resonated with many people.
2. Challenge to Brahmanical authority: At that time, the predominant religious and social structure in India was Vedic Brahmanism, which was centered around Vedic rituals and social hierarchy. Buddhism emerged as a dissenting movement that challenged the absolute authority of the Brahmins and the complex ritual system.
3. Simplicity and accessibility: Buddhism offered a simpler and more accessible alternative to traditional Vedic rituals. It focused on individual moral conduct, personal transformation, and meditation as means to attain liberation from suffering. This appealed to people from diverse backgrounds, including lower castes and women, who were marginalized in the prevailing societal structure.
4. Spread of Buddhism by Emperor Ashoka: Emperor Ashoka, a Maurya dynasty ruler in the 3rd century BCE, played a crucial role in spreading Buddhism across India and beyond. After embracing Buddhism following a period of remorse over the bloodshed of war, Ashoka promoted the religion through various means, including the erection of pillars and rock edicts. His support popularized Buddhism and led to the establishment of monasteries.
5. Decline of Brahmanical rituals and society: During the post-Mauryan period, the influence of Brahmanical rituals and the rigid caste system started to decline. This created an environment conducive to the growth of Buddhism as people sought alternatives to traditional practices.
It is important to note that Buddhism eventually declined in India and migrated to other parts of Asia. Factors such as the revival of Brahmanism, the rise of Hinduism and its assimilation of Buddhist ideas, and shifts in political and social power dynamics contributed to this decline.