DISAPPEARANCE OF BUDDHISM FROM INDIA:THE MUSLIM RESPONSIBILITY

DISAPPEARANCE OF BUDDHISM FROM INDIA:THE MUSLIM RESPONSIBILITY



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: ankurbarua26@yahoo.com
Mobile: +91-9434485543 (India), +852-96195078 (Hong Kong)

DISAPPEARANCE OF BUDDHISM FROM INDIA:
THE MUSLIM RESPONSIBILITY

Abstract

From the chronological analysis of all the contributing factors that led to the disappearance of Buddhism from India, it is evident that the whole sequence of events was initiated by the Buddhist monks and clergy when they had loosened up their links with the community. As 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 to withdraw their support from Buddhism and help in reviving the existing Brahmanism. This was followed by the revival of Hinduism and further decline of Buddhism. Towards the end stage of this decline, there was the Muslim invasion of India. During this time, majority of the surviving Buddhists in India, who earlier belonged to the lower class Hindus, was either forcefully or willingly got converted into Islam.

Key words: Buddhism, Disappearance, Decline, Responsibility, Islam.

DISAPPEARANCE OF BUDDHISM FROM INDIA:
THE MUSLIM RESPONSIBILITY


Introduction
Due to the lack of historical and archeological evidence, there is no absolute consensus till date on what led to the disappearance of Buddhism from India.1 Two factors were generally cited as the main reasons for the ultimate disappearance of Buddhism from India. The first one was the Vedic revival, which drove the religion out the country and this was followed by the invading hordes of the Prophet Mohammed, who razed the temples and slaughtered the remaining unresisting monks.1,2,3

Though majority of the scholars generally accept these two important factors, still they do not believe that these were the truly crucial reasons for the disappearance of Buddhism from India. Muslim invasions primarily wrecked only Northern India. But Buddhism was a significant religious force in Southern India too. Mahayana Buddhism mainly developed in the Southern regions. So whatever happened to Buddhism in the northern regions, it still could not explain how the religion disappeared from Southern India as well.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.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 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.
The Final Blow from Islam Invasion
Buddhism had already entered into a state of a decline at the time of Ven. Hsuan Tsang’s visit to India during the reign of Harsha of Kanauj in the early seventh century. It had also been argued that its further demise, particularly in the early part of the second millennium A.D., was hastened by the arrival of Islam. Buddhism had found competition in Islam for converts among low-caste Hindus. Even Dr. B.R. Ambedkar was firmly convinced about the view that Islam dealt Buddhism a death blow. He had described the process of disappearance of Buddhism in India as “Brahmanism beaten and battered by the Muslim invaders could look to the rulers for support and sustenance and get it.1,2,3,8

But Buddhism beaten and battered by the Muslim invaders had no such hope. It was uncared for orphan and it withered in the cold blast of the native rulers and was consumed in the fire lit up by the conquerors.” Dr. B.R. Ambedkar was certain that the Muslim invasion was the greatest disaster that befell the religion of Buddha in India and he had appropriately described this event as “the sword of Islam fell heavily upon the priestly class. It perished or it fled outside India. Nobody remained alive to keep the flame of Buddhism burning.” 1,2,3,8

However, the “sword of Islam” thesis of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar remained controversial and many reputable historians were inclined to dismiss it outright. This was due to the fact that Islam was a late entrant into India, and Buddhism was showing unmistakable signs of its decline long before Islam became established in the Gangetic plains, central India, and the northern end of present-day Andhra and Karnataka. During the Muslim Invasion, Bengal and Sind were ruled by Brahminical dynasties but had Buddhist majorities. Buddhism was in a state of decline by that time and the community was neglected by the Buddhist monasteries. The lower caste and outcaste Hindus, who had recently taken refuge in Buddhism, were again subjected to discrimination by the upper caste Hindus. The Buddhist monks and clergy did not come to their rescue during that time. Majority of these newly converted lay Buddhists, who earlier belonged to the low caste Hindus, were forcefully converted into Islam. However, some of them were believed to have welcomed the Muslims as saviors who had freed them from the tyranny of 'upper' caste rule. This explains why most of the 'lower-caste' people in Eastern Bengal and Sind embraced Islam after the decline of Buddhism in India. But one thing clear from this is that Buddhism was on the verge of extinction during the Muslim invasion of India.1,2,3,7,8

If Buddhism was still going strong during the Muslim invasion, it would have easily prevented the conversions of its followers into Islam and also helped in bridging the gap between the Hindus and Muslims by abolishing the caste system and promoting peace and harmony in the Indian society.1,23,4,7

Conclusions
If we analyze all the contributing factors and arrange them in a chronological order, we would realize that the whole sequence of events was initiated by the Buddhist monks and clergy when they had ignored the teachings of the Buddha and concentrated on accumulation of abundance of wealth in the monasteries. This had made them over-satisfied and lethargic. They were often engaged in disputes over money matters and leadership. So, they abandoned the community visits and concentrated on their own salvation instead of helping the common people and oppressed classes to end their sufferings. As the community was ignored, the tight bonding between the lay devotees and the Buddhist monasteries became weak and finally broke loose.

This restricted the spread of Buddhism in India and soon 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 that included the monks and clergy. The Brahmins also manipulated the contemporary rulers to withdraw their support from Buddhism and help in reviving the existing Brahmanism.

This was followed by the revival of Hinduism and further decline of Buddhism. Towards the end stage of the outright massacre of Buddhist followers and demolition of Buddhist monasteries on a large scale, there was the Muslim invasion of India. During this time, majority of the surviving Buddhists in India, who earlier belonged to the lower class Hindus, was forcefully converted into Islam. Some of them of course, willingly adopted Islam as it did not have any caste discrimination and was powerful enough to save them from the torture of Brahmins and upper class Hindus.

After examining all the contributing factors associated with the disappearance of Buddhism from India, we must understand that it was not a single major factor that could be isolated and held absolutely responsible for this horrendous outcome. Considering the fact that the maximum damage is already done, it is now a futile exercise to attempt any chronological historical dissection on establishing the major cause for disappearance of Buddhism from India.

References
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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

8. Moon, V., ed., 1987. Babasaheb Ambedkar, Writings and Speeches. Bombay: Government of Maharashtra 3: 232-33.