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The causes that led to disappearance of Buddhism from its land of birth need to be pointed out so as to comment upon and determine the future of Buddhism especially in India. Historians have pointed put many causes for the decline rather ruination of Buddhism India. Some of the main causes were as under:

1. Brahmins propounded the system of four varnas which ultimately created more than ten thousand castes and sub-castes, graded and inequality, monopolisation of state power, property all around domination of Brahmins. Buddha scathingly attacked Brahmins system and did his to uproot it. He opened the doors of the Sangha to the women. He converted lowly people such as Sopaka and Suppiya, the untouchable, Sunita the sweeper, Upali the barber, Sumangala and the other low caste people. He converted Prakrati, Chadalika. The conversation of these people gave a blow to the position and prestige of the Brahmins. Therefore they had a grudge against Buddhism and were very impatient to regain their power and prestige by whatever means and methods they could imply. In 800Ad the Brahmins made a united from with Abu-bin-Qasim the first Muslim invader of India. The Buddhist King Brihadrath was got murdered by his own commander- Push Mitra. Thus a Brahmin- Muslim combine ruined Buddhism. A counter- revolution was started against Buddha’s revolution of Humanism that was with service of mankind.2. The Brahmins incorporated some of the noble teachings and good qualities of Buddhism in their scriptures and rituals and even social set up. Bhagavad Gita is one conspicuous example of religious manipulation. As one intellectual has correctly said, “Buddhism is the resistor and Hinduism is debtor.” 3. The Brahmins spread disinformation about Buddhism. 4. Brahmins Intruded into the sangha and corrupted it in many respects. 5. Lethargic attitude of the laity who proved incapable of d the sangha. To ensure better and brighter future of Buddhism in India the causes mentioned above should always be kept in view.

The falgbearer of Brahmanism has not long ago demolished a mosque in Ayodhya. There have been cases of rape of Christian nuns, plundering of their churches. The Buddhists have been the continuous victims of Brahmins persecution and oppression. At many places the statues of Buddha were broken and Buddhist shrines were desecrated. The management of the Bodh Gaya is still in the hands of such Hindus as have no affection for Buddhism and many unbuddhistic practises are being observed in the Maha Vihra of Bodh Gaya.The Brahmist leaders often boast that India is the birth of Gautama Buddha. But the social set up is not congenial to Buddhism. Therefore the new Brahminic zeal is a potential danger to Buddhism.

The lowly people of India who are termed as the scheduled castes in the constitution of India and who numbers more than 150 million are the descendants of the Buddhists. The majority community being the Hindu, its governing class being the Brahmins, they don’t like Buddhism to flourish because in Buddhism lies the annihilation of the graded inequality, monopolisation of administration and financial resources. There would have been atleast 100 million Buddhists in India by now had the Hindu majority not created legal impediments in the cultural advancement of the oppressed section of the Indian Society. It may be noted here that it was provided in the Indian Constitution, through an amendment, that “no person can be a member of the Scheduled caste unless he professes Hindu religion.” After a strenuous struggle this legal bar has been removed. In the next census the number of Buddhists will certainly increase tremendously.

If the disinformation is being spread against the Buddhist movement of India – continues, it may result into misleading those who desire to see the movement becoming more strong and wide spread.

Some points here need to be clarified:

1. It is alleged that Dr. Ambedkar (By his followers) is equated with Buddha. This is a balatant lie. In one of his speech he called ‘BUDDHA , MY MASTER, MY ONLY TEACHER,” ( Speech on voice of America 1954) 2. It is said that the Buddhist movement in India is a political movement. For those Indians who suffered for centuries, Buddhism is a vehicle of all-round change-ethical, social and even economic. Buddha preached against exploitation of man by man, to wage a struggle for civil rights’, social justice and economic emancipation. If it all is considered politics, then Indian Buddhist do candidly accepts this charge. Buddhism has taught them to be moral and free from want and worry so they feel pride in waging struggle for their human and constitutional rights. 3. Often the lowly people are looked down upon because they are very backward economically. Their present condition is not of their making. Instead of contempt they deserve sympathy, compassion and help.

This kind of mischievous propaganda against the Indian Buddhist movement shall have to be disbelieved and totally rejected if it desired that Buddhism should spread in India. India has great potential for spreading of Buddhism. Its future can be bright, Very bright, if needed precautions are taken. And a programme for the all round emancipation of the people is formulated and organisational machinery is established and sincerely operated for the benefit of the needy mankind. I close this brief narration with 3Cs

(1) Clarity about programme (2) Coordination and (3) Common resources.

If my submissions are given serious thought, I hope, then the future of Dhamma in India would be very bright and it may regain its original glory and purposefulness. It is gratifying that the Punjab Buddhist Society U.K under the benevolent guidance of Ven: Chanderbodhi has taken lead for fulfilling the historic noble task of spreading the Buddhism.

Posted on August 08, 2007