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By Jayaram V
The Sungas
The Mauryas were succeeded by the Sungas, who ruled large parts
of
northern India between 185 B.C. and 73 B.C., with Vidisa in eastern
Malwa as their capital. The Sungas were avowed followers of Vedic
religion and showed little respect for other religions. They promoted
Hinduism actively and were intolerant towards Buddhism. According to
Buddhist tradition, they made serious attempts to suppress the
religion and even indulged in religious persecution. Pushyamitra Sunga,
one of the most prominent ruler of the dynasty, was said to be a great
persecutor of Buddhism. Apart from patronizing Brahminism at the
expense of other faiths, he was referred as a religious bigot who
indulged in the destruction of several Buddhist monuments,
including a famous monastery at Pataliputra. He said to have even
offered monetary reward for killing the Buddhist monks. Some
historians do not agree with this theory and point out the
construction of the Buddhist stupas and railings at Barhut and
the uninterrupted existence of several other stupas and Buddhist
monuments throughout the kingdom of the Sungas as evidence their religious
tolerance.
The Satavahanas
The Satavahanas ruled large parts of Andhrapradesh, Maharashtra and
central India between 200 BC and 250 AD. Like the Sungas they were
Brahmin rulers, but unlike the former, displayed exemplary tolerance
towards other religions. Both Buddhism and Hinduism flourished
and coexisted peacefully during their reign. They made generous grants
for the construction and maintenance of several monasteries,
cave dwellings and residential quarters for the Buddhist monks.
Several Buddhist centers flourished and gained prominence like the
ones at Amaravathi and Nagarjunakonda in Andhrapradesh during their
period.
Kanishka
Emperor Kanishka was a Saka-Kushana king. He is
remembered in Indian history as a great patron of Buddhism, next to Asoka. He
ruled parts of central Asia and north Western India some time during the
early Christian era. The fourth Buddhist council was held in Kashmir under
his patronage.
During this period, the Mahayana school of Buddhism became popular in the north while Hianayana
remained popular in the south and in Ceylon. The Mahayana doctrines crossed
the frontiers of the sub-continent and traveled eastwards to China and other
far eastern countries.
Gupta Period
The Guptas ruled large tracts of the Indian
subcontinent from the fourth century A.D. to the sixth century A.D. They were
great patrons of Vedic religion. Fahien, a Chinese Buddhist monk visited
India during the reign of Chandra Gupta II and stayed in India for six years.
His travel account throws considerable light on
the socio-religious life in the country during this period. Fahien noted that
Buddhism was still popular, though Hinduism was gaining ground under the
patronage of the Guptas. He also commented that due to the influence of
Buddhism and Jainism many people from higher sections of society had become
vegetarians.
Post Gupta Period
At the close of the fifth century A.D., the
Huna began their invasions into India. The Hunas were the most cruel foreign
rulers to invade India in ancient times. They were also known for their
religious intolerance. Both Hsuan Tsang and the famous Kashmiri poet, Kalhana,
recorded the cruel persecution they meted out to Buddhists. Fortunately the
Hunas had a short reign in the country and thereby the native religions
escaped from a great destruction.
Harshavardhana
In the first decade of seventh century A.D.,
Harshavardhana ascended the throne at the age of sixteen. He ruled large
parts of central and northern India. His reign lasted for about forty one
years. He is also known in Indian history as a great patron of Buddhism, and
a man of considerable virtues.
Hsuan Tsang, the famous Buddhist scholar from
China, visited India during his reign and stayed in his court for seven
years. Like Fa-hien, his predecessor, he also recorded his experiences in
India in the form of a book. He gave a fairly accurate picture of the
conditions prevailing in the country during his several years' stay. He
described Nalanda as a great center of learning for Buddhist monks.
Harshavardhana was a follower of Buddhism. But
like many other emperor in the recorded history of India, he was tolerant of
other religions and also worshipped some Hindu gods. He saved Buddhism from
the hands of Sasanka, who was bent upon destroying Buddhist monuments and
harassing Buddhist followers. Despite of support from Harhsavardhana,
Buddhism was in decline in various parts of the country.
Vajrayana Buddhism
During the early eight century A.D. Vajrayana
Buddhism appeared in eastern India. It gained wider acceptance in Bihar and
Bengal. The Vikramasila monastery in Bihar was popular center for this new
sect, which was partly based upon the ancient Vedic Tantric practices and
worship of Mother Goddess. In subsequent times, Tibet and Nepal came under
the influence of Vajrayana Buddhism. Sub-sects such as Sahajayana,
Kalachakrayana, and Mantrayana soon arose out of this new sect.
Decline
Despite of the support and patronage by
Harshavardhana and by Pala kings, who came later, by the end of twelfth
century A.D, Buddhism declined as a major religious force in the
sub-continent . The growing influence of Bhakti movement and the religious
bigotry of the Muslim invaders sealed what ever opportunities it had for
revival and renewal. However Buddhism continued to flourish in other parts of
the world, especially in China, Korea, Japan, Cambodia, Thailand and other
far eastern countries.
Today Buddhism is practised in various parts of
the world. In India it
has the dubious distinction of a separate religion as
well as a movement with in Hinduism. The Hindus consider the Buddha as an
incarnation of Lord Vishnu. But the Buddhists disagree. As a religion, except
in certain parts like Sikkhim, Ladakh, Buddhism is a minority religion in
India.
But in neighboring Nepal, Bhutan and Ceylon it
is still very popular religion. Though it greatly disappeared in main land
China, it still survives in many far eastern countries and Japan. The west
was introduced to Buddhism mainly in the last century. It is presently
attracting many new followers from the western world. As a religion and as a
way of life, Buddhism has a great religions appeal to the educated and
liberal minded people of the west. It has an inherent strength, a certain
dignified charm . It will continue to attract many new followers.
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