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"There are numerous gods in the universe and a
true Buddhist respects all the gods worshipped by mankind"
The History of Buddhism and Buddhism in India dates back to the birth of
Shakyamuni or Gautama Buddha, about 2,500 years ago. Buddhism attained
momentum after lord Buddha attained realization in approximately 531 BC,
after which he taught widely, all across the places in India. The rapid
growth of Buddhism did not stop, even after his passing in approximately
486 BC.
Historians holds that by the time of his passing, Lord Buddha had taught
most of Buddhist teachings, encompassing, what came to be known as the
three major vehicles or cycles of the Buddhist teachings, i.e., Hinayana,
Mahayana and Vajrayana . Each of these cycles of teaching became popular
at different periods in the history of Buddhism in India.
The Hinayana Teachings
Shortly after Buddha's Mahaparinirvana (passing away), disciples of the
Buddha held a council at Rajgir, known as the First Council, which
emphasized the Hinayana teachings. Initially, it remained one of the many
small sects in India and 18 schools of Hinayana were known by the time of
the great Indian King Ashoka. The main breakthrough came when King Ashoka
(ca. 270-232 BCE) converted to Buddhism. He did not make it a state
religion, but supported all ethical religions. He organized the spreading
of Buddhism throughout India.
The Mahayana Teachings
The Mahayana teachings became popular after the new millenium and
continued to spread throughout Asia in the first century CE. Over the
following centuries, the teachings became a very strong presence in
countries throughout Asia, including Tibet. In India and surrounding
countries, great Mahayana teaching masters such as Nagarjuna, , Aryadeva,
Asanga, Vasubandhu, Dignaga, Dharmakirti, Tilopa and Naropa became famous.
The Vajarayana Teachings
Although, Buddha taught the Vajrayana to a restricted group of suitable
disciples later in his life, the Vajrayana cycle of teachings did not
became popular until the Sixth Century CE. At that time, many of the great
Mahayana masters of scholarship took up the Vajrayana path in their later
years and left their institutions to practice Vajrayana tantras.
Following this last flowering of Buddhist thought in India, Buddhism
began to decline. It became increasingly a tradition of elite
scholar-monks who studied in great monastic universities like Nalanda and
Vikramashila in Northern India. Buddhism failed to adapt to changing
social and political circumstances, and apparently lacked a wide base of
support.
But a silver lining appeared during the reign of East India rule, when
many Buddhist society were established including the Buddhist Society of
South India, founded by Ayoti Daas, as well as other unrelated Buddhist
activities took place in Bengal and other places in India. Later, In 1956
Dr. Ambedkar held a conversion ceremony, and apart from himself converted
500,000 untouchables to Buddhism. Thus, in the last few years, the people
of India has become more conscious of Buddhism and its teachings.