Focus Question 2:
How did Buddhism and Hinduism influence the development of India?
By 250 B.C., Buddhism and Hinduism were India's two main religions, but they were beginning to dwindle in importance:
The Buddha stressed that a state of peace called nirvana could be reached by improving one's spiritual discipline. In time, new ideas of saving humanity through good deeds and sacrifice emerged.
Hinduism had many complex rituals that could be performed only by priests. Even though it was originally a polytheistic religion, it was becoming more and more monotheistic, when it came into contact with Buddhism, and became more popular with the average citizen. Each Hindu chose one of three main gods to worship:
- Mainly priests practiced Hinduism.
- Buddhism required an ideal of self-denial, which became too difficult for followers.
The Buddha stressed that a state of peace called nirvana could be reached by improving one's spiritual discipline. In time, new ideas of saving humanity through good deeds and sacrifice emerged.
- Those who embraced the more modern Buddhist doctrines became known as Mahayana Buddhists.
- Those who stayed with the original, stricter teachings of Buddha to achieve nirvana were Theravada Buddhists.
- guaranteeing to treat all of the citizens fairly
- preaching nonviolence
- urging religious toleration.
Hinduism had many complex rituals that could be performed only by priests. Even though it was originally a polytheistic religion, it was becoming more and more monotheistic, when it came into contact with Buddhism, and became more popular with the average citizen. Each Hindu chose one of three main gods to worship: