Tenets & Spread of Buddhism and Jainism

Buddhism

Founded by Siddhartha Gautama (563-483 BCE), it opposed rigid Vedic orthodoxy. Its core tenet is cessation of Dukkha (suffering) through the Eightfold Path.

Historical Context & Developments

Era

Social/Cultural Aspect

Economic/Contextual Evolution

Ancient

Rejected Varna hierarchy; Sangha offered social mobility and equal austerity for all.

Royal patronage (Ashoka, Kanishka) enabled rapid spread; Viharas became vital educational/trade centres.

Medieval

Declined due to assimilation into Puranic Hinduism and loss of state patronage (e.g. Pala dynasty decline).

Monastic lands lost focus on economic utility, becoming reliant on grants; weakened its commercial link.

Modern

Revival fuelled by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s mass conversion (1956), underscoring its role in social reform.

Global spread of ....

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