Introduction
I planned to research the vestiges of Buddhist civilization from the Buddha to the Post-Buddha era until its disappearance from Jambudvipa in the 17th Buddhist century during the Taxila rain retreat in 2565 BE.
In particular for Buddhist nations, the decline of Buddhism makes for an attractive study topic. It is difficult to appreciate what the original Buddhism was and what the actual teachings are since many lessons must be learned to comprehend the coexistence of various sects, beliefs, and practices in Buddhism.
Buddhism’s Endurance and Challenges
The Buddha’s teachings endure forever. The Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path are still being taught today. Those who become Buddhists, however, are still trying to comprehend the insights since the Truths from Buddhist Dhamma are not the core of teachings. On the other hand, a lot of nonsense has entered the scene and tainted the Blessed One’s well-expressed ideas.
Most crucially, the endeavor to change the original teachings by incorporating ideas from other philosophical traditions and religious doctrines until it becomes Buddha-dharma with growth.
There are numerous Reformed Schools of Buddhism, founded by instructors in addition to the original teachings! The authentic, original Buddha dhamma is vanishing. People make incorrect observations, form false opinions, and further undermine Buddhism. Buddhist organizations may have attempted to draw attention to the issue in every civilization and nation but with varying degrees of success.
If we consider its history and development, Buddhism has survived the winds of sensual pleasures and worldly defilements. The Buddhist ship hasn’t remained motionless in the sea of human desires.
Factors Contributing to the Decline of Buddhism
Groups of Buddhists live their lives and treat the Buddha, the Dhamma, the Sangha, and the Trisikkha. The decay of the Four Groups of Buddhists is the underlying cause of Buddhism’s demise in many places, especially in Jambudvipa, where it originated. Buddhism vanished there from its height of prosperity to its final days. According to the Buddha, the distorting of the Dhamma caused the circumstances that led to the decline of Buddhism.
1. The suttas that have skewed meanings are taught to monks.
2. Monks need more respect, are unyielding, irritable, and don’t listen to orders.
3. mosquWell-versed in the teachings of the Buddha, the Dhamma, and Vinaya, knowledgeable monks are not eager to share their expertise. Everything is gone when they pass away.
4. Senior bhikkhus lack in their Trisikkhas, or threefold training, in pursuit of worldly success and status.
Field Trips to Buddhist Heritage Sites
They might be influential spiritual figures in the Dhamma practice, yet they lack the desire to practice in seclusion to pierce the Truth and achieve nirvana. The new monks who were ordained after them did so by imitating those who came before them.
The Buddha had already forewarned us whether Buddhism would survive or die. He emphasized that the Four Assemblies of Buddhists’ weakness is the primary cause of this downfall. The monks who do not follow the Dhamma-Vinaya are more significant.
Therefore, numerous Reformed Schools of Buddhism adhere to cariyavda (schools founded by teachers) in addition to the fundamental teachings! The genuine, original Buddha Dhamma is disappearing. People make incorrect observations, form false opinions, and further undermine Buddhism. Buddhist organizations may have tried to draw attention to the issue in each society and nation but with only sporadic success.
If we consider its history and development, Buddhism has survived the winds of sensuous pleasures and worldly defilements. The Buddhist ship hasn’t remained motionless in the sea of human desires. It all relies on how mindfully, appropriately, and with the utmost respect the Four Groups of Buddhists live their lives and treat the Buddha, the Dhamma, the Sangha, and the Trisikkha.
Four Groups of Buddhists
The decay of the Four Groups of Buddhists is the underlying cause of Buddhism’s demise in many areas, especially in Jambudvipa, where it originated and experienced its most fantastic time of flourishing. According to the Buddha, the distorting of the Dhamma caused the circumstances that led to the decline of Buddhism.
1. The suttas that have skewed meanings are taught to monks.
2. Monks need more respect, are unyielding, irritable, and don’t listen to orders.
3. well-informed monks familiar with the Buddha’s teachings, the Dhamma and Vinaya, are not concerned with disseminating their wisdom. Everything is gone when they pass away.
4. Senior bhikkhus must gain their Threefold Training (Trisik-khas) because they are pursuing worldly success and status.
They may be influential spiritual figures in the Dhamma, yet they lack the desire to practice in seclusion to discern the Truth and achieve nirvana. New monks who were ordained later imitated those who came before them.
The Buddha had already forewarned us whether Buddhism would survive or die. He emphasized that the Four Assemblies of Buddhists’ weakness is the primary cause of this downfall. The monks who do not follow the Dham-ma-Vinaya are more significant. When we examine the evidence left by Buddhism in various historical eras where the Saddhamma (genuine Dhamma) began to change, we can observe that this is accurate.
First Stage: The first stage is the Reformed Hinayana between 100 and 400 B.E.
Second Stage: 400-year-old Early Mahayana period BE- 700 BE
Third Stage: Middle Mahayana period, 700–1200 BCE.
Fourth Stage: From 1200 BCE to 1700 BCE, the late Mahayana Period (the total transition; nothing of the Saddhamma or fundamental teaching remained).
In addition to field trips to Buddhist world heritage sites in Taxila, Mohra Moradu, and ancient Sirsuk, I looked more deeply into the history of Buddhist civilization after visiting Peshawar, formerly known as Purushapura of the Kushan Empire and now in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa – Pakistan. Located 6 miles from Taxila but under KP control, Morah Moradu is a sizable monastic complex built contemporaneously with the Jaulian monastery.
Spiritual and Philosophical Influences
I visited the Jaulian monastery a second time to experience the spiritual power of the still-extant Buddhist civilization. I dedicated my practice on August 18, 2565, to the Buddha, the Dhamma, the Sangha, parents, and teachers while reciting the Anattalakkhana sutta and other significant suttas. On the same day as Ven, it happened. One Thai Ariya (noble) monk, Suang Parisuttho, passed away. He thoroughly introduced me to samatha and vipassana meditation techniques, emphasizing, in particular, the “three dimensions of the dhamma and the anatta.” He graciously gave me a one-on-one lesson and instilled the philosophy of spreading Buddhism in my head.
Conclusion
My visit to the Jaulian monastery on August 18, 2565, BE, was more than just a routine field trip; it allowed me to engage in religious rituals. The day before, on August 17, 2565, BE, I went to the Mohra Moradu monastery, which was built at the same time as the Jaulian. An overview of the Jaulian Monastery is provided here.
Buddhist World Heritage Site
Questions and Answers
Q1. What is the central theme of this narrative, and what prompted the author’s research?
Ans. The central theme is exploring the history and challenges Buddhism faces in Jambudvipa. The author’s research was prompted by the decline of Buddhism and the need to understand its evolution.
Q2. How does the author view the endurance of the Buddha’s teachings?
Ans. The author believes that the core teachings of the Buddha, such as the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path, endure. However, challenges arise due to distortions and external influences.
Q3. What are the challenges posed by the incorporation of extraneous ideas into Buddhism?
Ans. The challenges include altering the original teachings and the emergence of Reformed Schools of Buddhism, which may deviate from the fundamental instructions.
Q4. What factors are identified as contributing to the decline of Buddhism?
Ans. The decay of the Four Groups of Buddhists (Buddha, Dhamma, Sangha, and Trisikkha), weakening of the Four Assemblies of Buddhists, and the distortion of Dhamma are cited as contributing factors.
Q5. What did the Buddha warn about the survival or decline of Buddhism?
Ans. The Buddha warned that the weakness of the Four Assemblies of Buddhists, particularly monks who do not follow the Dhamma-Vinaya, is the primary cause of Buddhism’s decline.
Q6. Can you describe the stages of change in Buddhism identified in the narrative?
Ans. The stages include Reformed Hinayana, Early Mahayana, Middle Mahayana, and Late Mahayana, with each stage representing a shift in Buddhist practices and beliefs.
Q7. What were the author’s experiences during field trips to Buddhist heritage sites?
Ans. The author visited heritage sites in Taxila, Mohra Moradu, and ancient Sirsuk, exploring the history of Buddhism in Peshawar, Pakistan. Special attention was given to Morah Moradu and the Jaulian monastery.
Q8. What spiritual and philosophical influences are highlighted in the narrative?
Ans. The author dedicated their practice to the Buddha, Dhamma, Sangha, parents, and teachers. The passing of Thai Ariya monk Suang Parisuttho and his teachings on meditation and spreading Buddhism are emphasized.
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