Buddhism’s Legacy in Modern India and Society

Buddhism’s Legacy in Modern India and Society

Why in News ?

Recent scholarship explores how Buddhism’s philosophical insights and archaeological heritage continue to shape modern Indian identity, offering alternatives to ego-driven digital culture and exposing Buddhism’s ongoing influence in politics, social reform, and cultural memory beyond its perceived disappearance.

Understanding the Relevance of Buddhist Philosophy Today:

  • Modern society’s self-obsession via social media promotes egoism, leading to distress and imbalance.
  • Buddhist teachings, especially the illusory nature of self, offer psychological relief by advocating detachment from ego.
  • Scholars like Jay Garfield, Maria Heim, and Robert Sharf argue for “losing the self” to recognise interdependence and reduce suffering.

Rediscovering Buddhism’s Historical Continuity

  • Historian Douglas Ober, in Dust on the Throne, debunks the idea that Buddhism disappeared after the 14th century.
  • His research reveals centuries of Buddhist presence, influence, and revival even before Ambedkar’s 1956 mass conversion.
  • Ober connects Buddhism with colonial reform, Dalit movements, and secular democracy, challenging dominant narratives.

Monuments and Social-Cultural Resonance

  • Shashank Shekhar Sinha’s Casting the Buddha traces 2,500 years of Buddhist monuments across India.
  • Monuments like Sanchi are shown as living ecosystems involving kings, traders, villagers, and monks.
  • These sites reveal cultural interactions, evolving rituals, and societal values, reinforcing Buddhism’s embeddedness in Indian life.
  • The Buddhism modern influence is evident in various aspects of Indian society, from art and architecture to philosophy and social reform movements.

About the Various Sects of Buddhism :
● After Buddha’s death, followers formed different sects based on interpretations of his teachings.
● The earliest split was at the 2nd Buddhist Council (383 BCE) into Sthaviravadins (strict discipline) and Mahasanghikas (more relaxed).
● Around 1st century CE, Mahayana Buddhism emerged, worshipping Buddha as divine and focusing on Bodhisattvas.
● Theravada (Hinayana) is the oldest, focusing on individual liberation, strict monastic discipline, and is dominant in Sri Lanka and Southeast Asia.
● Mahayana promotes compassion and universal salvation; spread widely in East Asia.
● Vajrayana (7th century) uses tantric rituals, mainly in Tibet and Himalayan regions.
● Navayana is a modern Indian reform movement focused on social justice and caste equality.