Disappearance of Buddhism From India - The Role of Shashanka
Disappearance of Buddhism From India - The Role of Shashanka
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Abstract
the Buddhist monks had abandoned their regular community visits and
concentrated on their own salvation, the lay devotees were ignored. Buddhism
started losing the general support from the community. Subsequently, the
Brahmins took advantage of this situation and deepened the rift between the
common people and the Buddhist practitioners. They also manipulated the
Shashanka was the Shaivite Brahmin king of Bengal. He was manipulated by the
the Bodhi tree of Bodh Gaya and ordered the mass destruction of all Buddhist
Introduction
What led to the disappearance of Buddhism from India, the land of its origin is
Brahmins to destroy the Bodhi tree of Bodh Gaya and also order the mass
Buddhism had altogether disappeared from India as a formal religion during the
13th century A.D.5,6 In order to explore the contributing factors for the decline
and disappearance of Buddhism from India; we need to consider all the events in
a sequential and chronological order. These factors could be arranged under the
clergy, Buddhist monks and laity; and the growing corruption within the sangha.
Buddhists by Brahmins; the defeat of the Buddhists by the great theologian Adi
followed by the Muslim invasions which had the effect of driving into extinction
It is important to understand that Buddhism was never wiped off from India on a
single day and in any single event. Like the causal web of a disease, it was a
was gradual and lasted for many centuries. So, before we get into the details of
order and observe the interdependency of a previous event leading to the next.
During the rule of the Kushanas and the Guptas (325-497 AD), both Buddhists
patronage had shifted from Buddhist to Hindu religious institutions from the
Brahmanism veered off into Vaishnavism and Saivism. This was followed by
power.1,2,3,5
source for all subsequent narratives about Shashanka’s ruinous conduct towards
Buddhists was documented by Ven. Hsuan Tsang during his visit to India in early
But the exact reasons for his hostile attitude towards Buddhism were not known.
It was believed that the Brahminical revivalists had goaded the Hindu kings like
him to persecute and even slaughter innocent Buddhists.7 It was reported that
Shashanka had destroyed the Bodhi tree of Bodh Gaya and ordered the mass
destruction of all Buddhist images and monasteries in his kingdom. This biased
India.1,2,3,5,6
Shashanka had also murdered the last Buddhist emperor Rajyavardhana, elder
destroyed the Bodhi tree under which the Buddha had attained enlightenment.
installed one of Shiva in its place. Shashanka is alleged to have slaughtered all
After the rule of Shashanka, the Pala kingdom was established in Bengal. Though
the Palas of Bengal had been hospitable to Vaishnavism and Saivism, but
came under the rule of the Senas (1097-1223), Saivism was promulgated and
Buddhism was neglected. 1,2,3 Another hostile Shaivite king like Shashanka was
Mihirakula who had completely destroyed over 1500 Buddhist shrines. His hostile
action was followed by the Shaivite, Toramana who had destroyed the
Conclusions
The despotism of Shashanka and his hostile behavior towards the Buddhists was
carried forward by the revival of Hinduism that led to the further decline of
Buddhism in India. Many scholars often relate this Vedic revival as a tyrannical
faith that caused massive destruction of the Buddhist monasteries. But this
matter is however, far more complicated than this. A recent study of the Bengal
Puranas proved that the Buddhists were mocked and projected as mischievous
physical and mental violence perpetrated upon the Buddhists. The extermination
shrines by the Brahmins. The Maha Bodhi Vihara at Bodh Gaya was forcibly
Even though there was hatred against Buddhism, but the Brahmins could never
deny or disrespect the inner truths in the teachings of the Buddha. So, the
sort of a compromise between the Brahmins and the Buddhists on moral and
philosophical grounds. What Buddhism stood for to promote peace and harmony
in the society, had been later incorporated into certain strands of modern
Hinduism in order to make it more refined and acceptable to the society. Thus,
2. Jaini, P.S., Narain A.K., ed., 1980. The Disappearance of Buddhism and the
Survival of Jainism: A Study in Contrast. Studies in History of Buddhism.
Delhi: B.R. Publishing Company:181-91.
3. Ahir, D.C. 2005. Buddhism Declined in India: How and Why? Delhi: B.R.
Publishing.
6. Beal, S. 1884. Si-Yu Ki: Buddhist Records of the Western World. London:
Trubner & Co., reprint ed., Delhi: Oriental Books Reprint Corporation.