Buddhism rapidly spread throughout the world due to the following reasons:
• The disciples of Buddha founded an organization of monks called sangha who became teachers of dhamma. These monks lived simply, possessed only the essential requisites for survival. They spread the teachings of Buddha and Buddhism.
• Women also became part of a sangha and persuaded other women to follow Buddhism.
• Buddha attracted followers from various social groups such as kings, wealthy men and common folks including workers, slaves and craftspeople.
• Buddhism regarded everyone as equal. The social identities were not considered important.
• Buddhism appealed to those that were dissatisfied with the existing religious practices and rapidly changing social identities.
• Conduct and values were of greater importance than claims of superiority based on birth.
All these factors led to the growth of Buddhism.
The teachings of Buddha have been reconstructed in Sutta Pitaka. According to Buddhist Philosophy:
• The world is transient (anicca) and constantly changing.
• The world is soulless (anatta). There is nothing permanent and eternal in it.
• Sorrow (dukh) is intrinsic to human existence.
• Only when the person follows the path of moderation between severe penance and self-indulgence, he could rise above worldly troubles.
• Existence or non-existence of God is irrelevant to Buddhism. The world is the creation of humans.
• Humanity and ethical values are considered above everything.
• Buddha emphasized individuality and righteous action as the means to escape from the cycle of rebirth and attain self-realization and Nibbana, i.e, the extinguishing of ego and desire. This would thus end the cycle of suffering.
Gaurav Seth 4 years, 4 months ago
Buddhism rapidly spread throughout the world due to the following reasons:
• The disciples of Buddha founded an organization of monks called sangha who became teachers of dhamma. These monks lived simply, possessed only the essential requisites for survival. They spread the teachings of Buddha and Buddhism.
• Women also became part of a sangha and persuaded other women to follow Buddhism.
• Buddha attracted followers from various social groups such as kings, wealthy men and common folks including workers, slaves and craftspeople.
• Buddhism regarded everyone as equal. The social identities were not considered important.
• Buddhism appealed to those that were dissatisfied with the existing religious practices and rapidly changing social identities.
• Conduct and values were of greater importance than claims of superiority based on birth.
All these factors led to the growth of Buddhism.
The teachings of Buddha have been reconstructed in Sutta Pitaka. According to Buddhist Philosophy:
• The world is transient (anicca) and constantly changing.
• The world is soulless (anatta). There is nothing permanent and eternal in it.
• Sorrow (dukh) is intrinsic to human existence.
• Only when the person follows the path of moderation between severe penance and self-indulgence, he could rise above worldly troubles.
• Existence or non-existence of God is irrelevant to Buddhism. The world is the creation of humans.
• Humanity and ethical values are considered above everything.
• Buddha emphasized individuality and righteous action as the means to escape from the cycle of rebirth and attain self-realization and Nibbana, i.e, the extinguishing of ego and desire. This would thus end the cycle of suffering.
2Thank You