Why Buddhism Collapsed in India.
Hinduism is a cauldron of views. It puts society at the
centre and views man as a part of it. It also puts man at the centre when that
individual is ready to face self.
The concept of Dharma entails both duty and spirituality. By
performing ones duty within the ambit of spiritual laws and with requirements
of the society in mind one progresses spiritually. If the same is undertaken
selflessly without an eye to gain and with equanimity in the face of loss one becomes ready for the truth.
When that stage is reached one can exclusively set out for the path. In this
way both the society as well as the individual is taken care of.
A king’s duty is different from that
of householders and monks. But all three sections can follow the precepts
without depriving society of their earnest services. In the individuals life
one progresses through initiation, education, household life, and then the life
of an ascetic. One needs to balance between dharma, artha, kama and moksha.
Thus Hinduism becomes a way of life for each to choose according to innate
tendencies.
Buddhism on the other hand is
monastic and is suited for mostly renunciates. It imitates the moksha and
ascetic stage of Hinduism. Imposing Buddhism in society led to neglect of duty
and deficiency in services of the many types of providers. Adopted by kings it
led to loss of resistance in the face of invasions.
The one point focus of Buddhism also
did not suit all monks and they took to tantra in a big way according to their
inner urges. Today Buddhism is mostly about tantra and Buddha's core teachings
have been forgotten. Monasteries are about power struggle between the many
factions practicing different types of tantra.
Buddhism was heavily dependent on
financial patronage of the kings and rich businessmen. At one point of time the
support was huge and monks lost sight of the goal. The tantric rites led to
their fall as the process required practices involving sexual exercises.
Gradually with the fall in integrity of the monks who displayed their tantric
powers irresponsibly for personal benefits the Buddhists became a menace to
society. The kings stopped supporting them. The invaders whom the Buddhist
kings could not keep off finished their monasteries. The people did the rest.
Buddhism is excellent but it has its
own pitfalls and it cannot become a mass practice with its core teachings. Its
presence is essential in society as the Buddha represents the perfected being.
It was thus integrated into Hinduism which has a habit of growing through
experience and adoption.
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