Buddhism has contributed significantly in social, religious, economic, literary, political ,etc.fields of India and has also enriched it. Similarly, Buddhism has also contributed significantly to the cultural field of India
Meaning of Culture:
According to Wikipedia-
“Culture is an umbrella term which encompasses the social behavior and norms found in, human societies, as well as the knowledge, beliefs, arts, laws, customs, capabilities, and habits of the individuals in these groups.”
1. Vedic Culture:
Vedic culture existed in India before Buddha. Before the rise of Buddhism, before the rise of Buddhist culture, it is also necessary to know the Vedic culture. The sixth century BCE brought a flow of change in India. This period was the period to create awareness among the people. This was the period to free people who were trapped in the clutches of Vedic malpractice.
2. Vedic Culture’s Bad Effects :
Following are the Bad effects of Vedic culture-
2.1 Futile Rituals and Yajna :
he practice of futile rituals and yajnas was very widespread in the sixth century BC.In these yagnas, animals were sacrificed, not only that humans were also sacrificed.
2.2 Varna System :
In Vedic culture, there was varna system, caste system. The social system was divided into these four varnas – Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas and Shudras. Shudras were heavily exploited in this varna system.
2.3 Plight of Women :
In the sixth century BCE, women had a very miserable condition, she had no independent place. The doors of knowledge were closed to both women and Shudras.
2.4 More Importance of Priests :
Due to Varna system, Brahmin priests got a very important place. Due to wealth gluttony, they were entangling people in futile rituals and yagnas.
2.5 Lack of Intellectual Freedom :
In Vedic culture, there is a lack of intellectual freedom, thought freedom. The entire social system was entangled in ritualistic rituals and superstitions. Human beings became secondary and rituals, superstitions became dominant.
2.6 Devaluation of Ethics :
In the sixth century BCE, in Vedic rituals and yajnas, adultery, alcoholism and such gruesome forms were also increasing. Due to which the moral standard of the social system had fallen a lot.
3 The Origin of Buddhism and Buddhist Culture :
This is the above depiction of the sixth century BC social system. Certainly, to awaken such a sleepy social system, an ideological movement was needed. Strongly opposing all these social evils, Buddhism, Buddhist culture has emerged.
4 Buddhist Culture :
Buddhist culture has the following characteristics-
4.1 Well Preached and Popular Dhamma :
Buddhism opposed rituals, sacrifices, yagyas and gave primacy to humans. The Buddha gave well-taught dhamma to those trapped in the complex rituals of Vedic religion. Buddhism emphasizes more on purity of mind. Buddhism soon became popular due to the simple form of Dhamma.
4.2 Higher Moral Teachings :
Buddhism is based on the highest moral values. Sīla (Virtue), Samādhi (Concentration), Karunā (compassion) and Mettā (Loving-kindness) have immense importance in Buddhism. Pañcasila (Five Precepts) is the moral pillar of Buddhist ethics., Ariya Atthangika Magga(The Noble Eight Path) encourages a person to follow the moral path.
4.3 Equality :
Buddhism has laid the foundation of social order on the element of equality. Then whether it is caste equality or gender equality.
Madhur Sutta, Assalāyana Sutta, Canki Sutta, Ambattha Sutta, Esukāri Sutta, Vasal Sutta, Vāsettha Sutta, etc, it is known from the study of all these suttas that Buddha has denied casteism and has given equal place to all man.
Similarly, Buddha started the movement for women’s liberation by establishing the Bhikkhuni Sangha.
Buddha proved that caste discrimination and gender discrimination cannot be hindered in achieving Nibbāna.This proved to be a great revolutionary social change in the sixth century BC. The dilapidated social system received new energy through the egalitarian education of the Buddha, and society progressed.
4.4 Non-Violence:
Buddhism has a great respect for all beings. At that time, Buddha also opposed the sacrifices made by the creatures in the Yagnas in Kutadanta Sutta. The animal violence has also been condemned in Vasala Sutta. Buddha has great Loving-kindness for all the beings. In Mettasuttaṃ Sutta, Buddha expresses Loving-kindness to all beings. Buddhism has given a message of peace to the world opposing violence.
4.5 Contribution to The Literary Field :
In Vedic social system, Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas were given the right to education.
Women and Shudras were denied education, Buddha provided equal opportunity for education to all. Buddha opened the path of knowledge for all women and Shudras.
Buddha’s sermon was propagated through the local language, Pali language. Early Buddhist literature was composed and developed in Pali language. Buddhist literature was also composed in Prakrit and Apabhramsha languages, but Buddhist literature of Apabhramsha language is not available. Buddhist literature was also composed and developed by Sanskrit language during the period of Kanishka in the first century. Buddhist literature was also written in India during this period. Buddhism has enriched not only India but the entire world with vast literary wealth.
4.6 Development of Universities :
The Buddhism revolutionized the education sector, which resulted in the establishment of world-renowned universities in India. Nalanda, Takshashila, Vallabhi, Somapura, Jagaddala, Odantapuri, these were the ancient Buddhist universities of India. Indian Buddhist universities were famous learning centers in the world. Many foreign students used to come to Buddhist universities to study.
4.7 Development of Art and Architecture :
After the field of education, Buddhism has made significant contribution in the field of art and architecture.
During the time of Emperor Ashoka, there was a lot of development of Buddhist art and architecture. Emperor Ashoka built Buddha Viharas, stupas, pillars, and caves. Sarnath was famous for Art and architecture during the Mauryan period. After that, Mathura was an important center of Art. Sculpture flourished during the reign of Emperor Kanishka. Gandhara art and Mathura art flourished during the Kushan period.
4.8 Intellectual Freedom :
In the Vedic period, the social system was stuck in Yagna, rituals. The Buddha vehemently opposed all this and supported intellectual freedom. The Buddha illuminated the people surrounded in the deep darkness of blind faith. The Buddha has called himself the guide, not the liberator. ‘Attā hi attano nātho’ (self is the lord of self) That is, Buddha has given priority to individual freedom, intellectual freedom.
4.9 Propagation of Buddhist Culture in Other Country :
Buddhist Dhamma was not confined to the territory of India only, during the time of Ashoka, Buddhist Dhamma was propagated in other countries also. In countries where Buddhism was propagated, the spread of Buddhist culture also expanded.
Detailed information about the propagation of Buddhist culture in other countries- Shri Lanka, Myanmar, Indonesia, Thailand, Afghanistan, China, etc, is given in the book ‘Bouddh- Sanskriti’(Buddhist- Culture) of Rahul Sanskrityayan.
Buddhist culture has affected not only India but the whole world.