印度佛教兴衰进程中的政治因素研究

Political Factors of the Destiny of Buddhism in India

任何一种宗教的产生和发展都有其根本的社会原因,佛教也是如此。原始佛教诞生于列国时期的印度,除了重视哲学和宗教的社会文化特征外,破碎的政治板块以及以婆罗门教为核心的意识形态是催生佛教的主要动力。此后,部派佛教和大小乘佛教的产生和传播,乃至佛教在印度本土的湮灭,无不体现出印度政治版图的变迁。印度佛教的兴衰无疑是多种因素共同作用的结果,但政治因素是其中最重要的一环。

The original Buddhism arose in India during the sixth century to fourth century BC.Apart from the socio-cultural characteristics of sticking to philosophies and beliefs , the broken political landscape in the subcontinent and the core ideology of Brahmanism are among central contributions to the rise of Buddhism.Therefore , the creation and spreading of Hinayana and Mahayana Buddhisms and their final annihilation in India all reflect the changes of Indian political map.The rise and decline of Buddhism in India is primarily one of important consequences of dramatic political changes.