Upload
ankur-barua
View
275
Download
5
Embed Size (px)
DESCRIPTION
This article describes the role of Shashanka in the disappearance of Buddhism from India.
Citation preview
DISAPPEARANCE OF BUDDHISM FROM INDIA:
THE ROLE OF SHASHANKA
ANKUR BARUA, M.A. BASILIO
Buddhist Door, Tung Lin Kok Yuen, Hong Kong
Hong Kong, 2009
Communication Address of Corresponding Author:
Dr. ANKUR BARUA
Block – EE, No.-80, Flat No.-2A,
Salt Lake City, Sector-2,
Kolkata - 700091, West Bengal, INDIA.
Email: [email protected]
Mobile: +91-9434485543 (India), +852-96195078 (Hong Kong)
Disappearance of Buddhism from India: The Brahmin Responsibility Page 2
DISAPPEARANCE OF BUDDHISM FROM INDIA:
THE ROLE OF SHASHANKA
Abstract
The disappearance of Buddhism from India was a multi-factorial causation. When
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
contemporary rulers like Shashanka, to withdraw their support from Buddhism
and help in reviving the existing Brahmanism.
Shashanka was the Shaivite Brahmin king of Bengal. He was manipulated by the
Brahmins to become a ferocious oppressor of the Buddhists. He had destroyed
the Bodhi tree of Bodh Gaya and ordered the mass destruction of all Buddhist
images and monasteries in his kingdom.
Key words: Buddhism, Disappearance, Decline, Destruction,
Responsibility, Shashanka, Shaivite.
Disappearance of Buddhism from India: The Brahmin Responsibility Page 3
DISAPPEARANCE OF BUDDHISM FROM INDIA:
THE ROLE OF SHASHANKA
Introduction
What led to the disappearance of Buddhism from India, the land of its origin is
unknown. Due to the lack of historical and archeological evidence, there is no
absolute consensus on this matter till date.1,2,3
Shashanka, the Shaivite Brahmin king of Bengal was manipulated by the
Brahmins to destroy the Bodhi tree of Bodh Gaya and also order the mass
destruction of all Buddhist images and monasteries in his kingdom. Thus, he
played a significant role in the Disappearance of Buddhism from India.1,2,3,4
Contributing Factors for the Disappearance of Buddhism from India
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
following major headings: (a) Sectarian and Internal Conflicts – Relating to
Disappearance of Buddhism from India: The Brahmin Responsibility Page 4
the schisms within the Buddhist faith; the widening differences between the
clergy, Buddhist monks and laity; and the growing corruption within the sangha.
(b) Buddhists were persecuted by Brahmins - Alleged persecution of
Buddhists by Brahmins; the defeat of the Buddhists by the great theologian Adi
Shankaracharya in public debates; as well as the characteristic tendency of
Hinduism, or rather Brahmanism, to absorb its opponents. (c) Secular and
political histories - Withdrawal of royal patronage from Buddhism was
followed by the Muslim invasions which had the effect of driving into extinction
the already debilitated Buddhist community.1,2,3,5,6
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
multi-factorial causation. The process of decline and subsequent disappearance
was gradual and lasted for many centuries. So, before we get into the details of
any historical analysis, we should first arrange the factors in a chronological
order and observe the interdependency of a previous event leading to the next.
Secular and Political Factors
During the rule of the Kushanas and the Guptas (325-497 AD), both Buddhists
and adherents of Brahmanism received royal patronage. However, the royal
patronage had shifted from Buddhist to Hindu religious institutions from the
Disappearance of Buddhism from India: The Brahmin Responsibility Page 5
beginning of the sixth century A.D. Buddhism began to suffer a decline as
Brahmanism veered off into Vaishnavism and Saivism. This was followed by
some regional kingdoms subsequently developing into the major sites of
power.1,2,3,5
Shashanka, the Shaivite Brahmin king of Bengal was manipulated by the
Brahmins to become a ferocious oppressor of the Buddhists. The single original
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
part of the seventh century A.D.
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
and sectarian policy of Shashanka had broken the backbone of Buddhism in
India.1,2,3,5,6
Shashanka had also murdered the last Buddhist emperor Rajyavardhana, elder
brother of Harshavardhana, in 605 AD. He had marched on to Bodh Gaya and
destroyed the Bodhi tree under which the Buddha had attained enlightenment.
Disappearance of Buddhism from India: The Brahmin Responsibility Page 6
He forcibly removed the Buddha's image from the Bodhi Vihara near the tree and
installed one of Shiva in its place. Shashanka is alleged to have slaughtered all
the Buddhist monks in the area around Kushinagar.1,2,3,7
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
nonetheless they were major supporters of Buddhism. However, when Bengal
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
Ghositarama Buddhist monastery at Kausambi.7
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
and malicious in Brahminical narratives as well as subjected to immense
Disappearance of Buddhism from India: The Brahmin Responsibility Page 7
rhetorical violence. This rhetorical violence should be interpreted as both
physical and mental violence perpetrated upon the Buddhists. The extermination
of Buddhism in India was hastened by the large-scale destruction of Buddhist
shrines by the Brahmins. The Maha Bodhi Vihara at Bodh Gaya was forcibly
converted into a Shaivite temple.1,2,3,5,6,7
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
subsequent absorption of the Buddha into Vishnu’s pantheon represented some
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,
the Buddha was finally given his just dues. 1,2,3,5,6
Disappearance of Buddhism from India: The Brahmin Responsibility Page 8
References
1. Lal, V. 2004. Buddhism’s Disappearance from India [serial online]. [cited
2009 August 26]; [2 screens]. Available from: URL:
http://www.sscnet.ucla.edu/southasia/Religions/paths/BuddhismDisappear.do
c.
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.
4. Kantowsky, D. 2003. Buddhists in India Today: Descriptions, Pictures and
Documents. Delhi: Manohar Publications: 156.
5. Goyal, S.R. 1987. A History of Indian Buddhism. Meerut: 394.
6. Beal, S. 1884. Si-Yu Ki: Buddhist Records of the Western World. London:
Trubner & Co., reprint ed., Delhi: Oriental Books Reprint Corporation.
7. Pakistan Defence. 2008. Disappearance of Buddhism from "Non Violent
India": An Untold Story. Daily Muslims. [serial online]. [cited 2009 October 8];
[2 screens]. Available from: URL: http://www.defence.pk/forums/current-
events-social-issues/9222-disappearance-buddhism-non-violent-india-untold-
story.html