ZA

Zinnia AroraAIR 6· 2028

Question 11GS1GS1

How did the competitive combination over funding, followers, and ideology mark the decline of Buddhism? (Answer in 250 words)

Open scan (p.26)

Main Body

Brahminite tradition, led by Buddhism's expansion, faced a severe challenge in adapting to changing political, social and economic structures of the 4-5th century AD.

Factors of Decline:

[Diagram showing: 500 BC Buddhism expands400 AD Buddhism expands]
1Brahminical roots since Vedic times could easily entwined Buddhist ideality — TD caste system profiteration
2Anti-Brahminical worldview seeped into Buddhist thought (Avagamche) → (antagomise)
3Patronage plugged pulled with enmity of Shrumayas. Final blow by Tripitakas
4Corruption of Buddhism from within (ascetic) → (acceptor of gift aims)
5Fragmentation of Buddhism led to lack of cohesive front against Brahmanism — [Theravada, New vehicle, Vajrayan, Bengal]
6Anchorced movement outward toward Sri Lanka, South East Asia — concentrated pockets left leading to fell on followers
7Ideological sparring with Brahmanism:

Brahmanism — caste system justified & rigidity

Paranched mindset 'increased with industrial expansion'

8Sanskritization — cultural construction of 'sedvation from poverty' not found safer than Buddhist realism
9Reductory of Buddhist funding and land — TD unlike of Brahmadya
10Rise of Atawas, Naycauae, Shailism and Lingayats — thus raising lower and upper caste within Brahminical fold.
11Rise of deification and Brahminism of Buddhism — a subset of Hinduism (TD Buddha as incarnation of Lord Vishnu)

Thus, Buddhism stepped into evident decline due to these reasons, but progressed and bloomed across East & South East Asia.

228 words4 paragraphs

Diagram

Two map diagrams showing Buddhism expansion from 500 BC to 400 AD, illustrating geographical spread

  • Provided clear factors for decline
  • Included diagram showing geographical spread
  • Connected to broader historical context
  • Connected Buddhism's decline to rise of other movements
  • Acknowledged Buddhism's spread to other regions

Topper

Zinnia Arora

AIR 62028

Subject & Paper

GS1GS1

Topic

Salient aspects of Art Forms, Literature and Architecture from ancient to modern times

Bhakti Sufi

Decline of Buddhism in India

Writing Stats

228

Total words

4

Paragraphs

analytical, historical

Tone