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Buddhism in Asian Civilization
by Dr Tilokasundari Kariyawasam, The Daily Mirror, May
9, 2009
Colombo, Sri Lanka --
Buddhism began as an
intellectual and ethical movement in the sixth century B.C in India. It
spread during the life time of the Buddha in India. At the time of the
Buddha’s parinibhana almost all the important states of India seemed to have
been deeply influenced by the new teaching. He had many disciples and
accumulated a large public following by the time of his parinibhana in 483
B.C.
The spread of Buddhism
.JPG) <<
The Lotus - an universal symbol of the Buddha's purity, is adopted across all
civilizations touched by His Teachings
Buddhism has been significant not only in India,
but also in Sri Lanka, Thailand, Cambodia, Myanmar and Laos,
where Theravada has been dominant.
Mahayana has had greatest impact in China, Afghanistan, Japan, Taiwan, Tibet,
Nepal, Mongolia, Korea and Vietnam as well as in India.
Tibetan Buddhism which
developed in isolation of Theravada and Mahayana Buddhism is functioning as a
separate sect since the 19th century.
The number of Buddhists world wide has
been estimated as between 150 and 300 million.
The marvel of Buddhism is that it has lasted for more than 2500 years. It has a
philosophy as well as a religion. The philosophy of the Buddha fascinates the
intellectual. As a religion it illuminates the lives of millions of men, women
and children. All the more wonderful, it has never been imposed by force.
Today many universities in Asia, the
Buddha’s doctrine has been made a subject of philosophical research. Vivid
dialogues and sayings of the Buddha, recordings, edicts, scriptures originated
in Asian civilization. Two and half centuries after the parinibhana of the
Buddha, a council of monks collected his teachings and the oral traditions of
the faith into written form, called the Tripitake (The Three Baskets). The
Tripitake which is translated to English and other languages form one great
prime source of Buddhism in Asian civilization.
The contribution which Buddhism has made to the spiritual, moral, social and
intellectual advancement of man and woman in Sri Lanka and in Asian Civilization
is needed notable. Buddhism is a moral code based on compassion, universal love,
non-violence, equanimity and a practical philosophy for daily life. The essence
of Buddhism is the Eightfold Path, which includes morality, mind, culture and
wisdom.
Buddhism is also an institution of well-laid rules and regulations formulated
for its functioning. Thus a community of men, women, male and female, disciples
who are known to hold the same views dedicated to the same cause, opinion and
principles and following the same religious teaching emerged. It was a highly
organized community possessing stability and a high degree of efficiency without
any loss of functions to the individual members whether man or woman. Woman had
the right to freely participate in the social life of the religion. Given the
diversity of target groups and educational tasks, the Buddha made effective use
of informal education to teach and educate the fourfold Buddhist community.
Impact of Buddhism in Asian civilization can be attributed to the unswerving
faithfulness of the bhikkhu and bhikkunie groups, the Tripitake and the
scriptures. There were a sufficient number of faithful, erudite monks to preach
the doctrine undefiled and to fill millions with its spirit. The transforming
power of Buddhism made new personalities of all kinds of people -- from kings to
peasants. It has changed individual men and women, it has changed entire
nations. Emperor Asoka of India, King Tissa of Sri Lanka were history’s greatest
examples of transformation. The Indian missionaries led by Rev. Mahinda brought
not only Buddhism to the Island, but also the culture and civilization of
Buddhist India. Almost all the Buddhist rites, ceremonies, festivals,
architecture, arts and crafts were introduced into countries of Asia.
Emperor Asoka’s
great contributions to Buddhism
The Emperor Asoka is history’s greatest example in the impact of Buddhism in
Asian Civilizations. Inspired by Buddhism in 200 B.C. he sent missionaries to
many lands. As a result Buddhism played a vital role in Asian Civilization.
Vincent Smith in his book “Asoka, Buddhist Emperor of India” states “the
transformation of the local sect into a world religion is the work of Asoka
alone.” He passed on the Teaching in its original purity. The extent of the
accomplishment of Emperor Asoka, would not have been known today were it not for
some 5000 inscriptions that he had carved on pillars, rocks and caves throughout
his empire. The inscriptions contain Buddhist rules for the laity. These
inscriptions explain the meaning of this religion and reveal what Emperor Asoka
accomplished in social welfare in his empire.
Missionaries were sent to Sri Lanka while others went to Burma to Syria, Egypt,
Cyprus, Macedonia and Epirus. So from generation to generation tales of the
glory of Emperor Asoka, man of peace, in Asian civilizations were handed down
from parent to child. He put the teaching into practice. One inscription
includes the references to; “an absence of self-indulgence, many good actions,
kindness, generosity, truthfulness and parity.”
Emperor Aoska recorded: All men are children. And just as I wish my children
every kind of prosperity and happiness, in this world and the next, so do I wish
for all other men.” Hundreds of monasteries arose, and subjects were encouraged
to make pilgrimages to them. He built hospitals for men and animals. He was the
pioneer in introducing the profession of veterinary surgery. He established
gardens for the cultivation of healing herbs and rest houses at intervals along
travel routes. He was a pioneer educationalist and urged Buddhist monks to
raise the national level of instruction. He championed and financially supported
the education for women.
The most glorious mission of Asoka was carried out by Rev. Mahinda in Sri Lanka.
This was followed by the arrival of Rev. Sangamitta. These two visits brought
about a renaissance in Sri Lanka. Buddhism, education, arts and craft,
sculpture, agriculture and the economy developed. The social, cultural
intellectual and moral development of the individuals would not have been a
possibility if not for the introduction of Buddhism to Sri Lanka. Buddhism was
equated to governance and every king who ruled in Sri Lanka was dedicated to
Buddhism and contributed to the welfare of the country.
Buddhism in other
Asian societies
A Buddhist environment prevails in countries like Burma, Thailand, Vietnam, and
Laos. Buddhism played a predominant role in Asian civilization. Theory and
practice of Buddhism have made happier and more confident people as confirmed by
other great individuals. Thomas Huckey stated, “It spread over a considerable
portion of the world with marvelous rapidity, and is still the dominant creed of
a large fraction of mankind.”
As a result of the spread of Buddhism, Asian civilizations remained devoted and
dedicated to transient spiritual standards and values of a more lasting
character. It may be rightly said that Emperor Asoka’s outstanding service to
Asian mankind is the missionary zeal that he displaced both within and outside
his vast domain. Sri Lanka profiting by his missionary activities, dedicated
itself whole-heartedly to the observance, preservation and the custodianship of
the Buddha-Dhamma writing down of the doctrine during the 1st century A.D. is
the greatest contribution that Sri Lanka had made to the intellectual heritage
of mankind. Asian civilizations are not only proud of its past Buddhist cultural
attainments but they are also conscious that the present day world society sadly
needs the most comforting message of peace and loving kindness declared by the
Buddha as a panacea for all ills of the world.
The foundations:
philosophy, ideology, concepts, and attitudes
His philosophy was that everything in the world is transient -- it changes. It
is so with the infant, the child, the youth, man and women.
It is very
philosophical and has a special appeal to mankind. His ideology is truthfulness,
peace, compassion, justice and love. His attitudes are very positive such as
respect, regard and recognition. These noble principles have been retained in
Asian civilizations, where force and coercion dominate. The impact of Buddhism
in Asian civilization cannot be underestimated. Its impact has been significant,
where Therovada, as well as Mahayana traditions have had the greatest impact.
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