Buddhism's Spread in and around the Middle Ganges
Buddha Gautama who started Buddhism, after receiving information, spent a large part of his life spreading Buddhism and its teachings in and around of the middle Ganges. This period is believed to be after 550 BC. Buddha had close disciples that followed his teachings and could ensure it is spread. Buddha laws soon became known because people made immense efforts to know them. The laws were being read aloud, repeated, learned and remembered. Several meetings were held with the agenda of preserving the laws (Heirman and Bumbacher 3).
King Asoka's Contribution to Buddhism's Extension
King Asoka of Maurya Empire (268-233 BC) did a great work in ensuring that Buddhism extended overtime and widely. This King suggested reading the seven sermons of the Buddhist law to the people and it is during its time that Buddhist meetings and discussions were being held (Heirman and Bumbacher 4). This king organized for a religious journey to the place of origin of Buddha and it is on that occasion that plans were made on missionary work of Buddhism which turned out to be instrumental on the dominance and spread of this religious group (Heirman and Bumbacher 3).
Impact of Trade in Asia on Buddhism's Growth
Trade in Asia played a tremendous contribution to the growth and dominance of Buddhism in Asia. It is through trade that many people exchanged cultural practices and goods. During this time, the Buddhist materials were being produced and could reach the farthest points possible in Asia as a result (Heirman and Bumbacher 11).
Atisa's Efforts in the Spread of Buddhism in Tibet
In the 13th century, the spread was made easy in the Tibet because of the massive and incredible efforts by Atisa, an Indian chief who walked all over the place teaching about the doctrines of Buddha. The schools in that place then identified with the Buddhist culture. Buddhism again entered and easily dominated the Tibet because of its acceptance by the noble and wealthy families that were very influential in the society (Heirman and Bumbacher 12).
Mahayana Buddhism's Influence
Mahayana Buddhists took the practice to another level, where they argued that The teachings were part and parcel of the soul and minds of men and that the two were inseparable and that the spread was far above the teachings but at the level of mind to mind and with this, Buddhism became very dominant and influential in the lives of the people Some religious groups became very successful at least in some parts of Asia. Islam became successful and that many people in India converted from Buddhism to Hinduism making it hard for Buddhism to exist (Heirman and Bumbacher 2). In around 1200 AD, the Muslims brought down Buddhism by demolishing their learning centers in India. The decline of Buddhism was to some extent due to the renewal of interest of Hinduism in India (Heirman and Bumbacher 14).Towards the end of the12th twelfth century through to the 14th century, Buddhism had swept through Japan with the Chan teachings spreading like fire (Heirman and Bumbacher 14).
Factors that Led to Buddhism's Decline
What made Buddhism lose dominance?
The desert that lies between China and the hilly part of central Asia made it hard to spread Buddhism for many years and that most of the authorities in Asia did not support Buddhism financially making it hard for the religious group to grow. Besides there economic problems encountered i.e. the collapse of international trade and economic meltdown. (Heirman and Bumbacher 2).
Some religious groups became very successful at least in some parts of Asia. Islam became successful and that many people in India converted from Buddhism to Hinduism making it hard for Buddhism to exist (Heirman and Bumbacher 2). In around 1200 AD, the Muslims brought down Buddhism by demolishing their learning centers in India. The decline of Buddhism was to some extent due to the renewal of interest of Hinduism in India (Heirman and Bumbacher 11). The Arab conquest and capture of towns like Sind forcing the Buddhist to collaborate with them, something that led to the decline of Buddhism in around
Buddhism in Asia particularly India was associated with towns, rich and privileged families, well-defined trade routes and to a good extent, there was little room for people from humble backgrounds. The collapse of the towns, trade and routes resulted in the decline of Buddhism (Sarao 14). International activities and events which were beyond the Buddhists control led to its decline. Examples of these are the Silk Road and the sea route that were taken over in the 6th century by the Sassanians made trade and exchange of Buddhist cultural texts and materials very difficult reducing the spread of this religious group and its teachings (Sarao 14).
Buddhism's Decline in Japan
As from 1945, Buddhism has been on the gradual decline in Japan because of the changes the country has been going through in terms of the family set up and structure and many people moving to urban centers and most part of Japan being urbanized (Reader 238). It is clear that Buddhism in Japan and by extension Asia was incapable of getting along with the changes in the social environment and that of the population and that the people ignore Buddhism religious leaders seeing them as those that have nothing to offer except that they give attention to people only after death (Reader 260).
Works Cited
Heirman, Ann, and Stephan Peter Bumbacher, eds. The spread of Buddhism. Vol. 16. Brill, 2007.
Reader, Ian. "Buddhism in crisis? Institutional decline in Modern Japan." Buddhist Studies Review 28 (2011): 233-263.
Sarao, Karam TS. The Decline of Buddhism in India: A Fresh Perspective. Munshirm Manoharlal Publishers, 2012.
