‘The purpose of religion is to explain the origin of the world. The purpose of Dhamma is to reconstruct the world.’ (Ambedkar, 1987: 322) With these words Dr. B. R. Ambedkar interpreted Buddhism as a world transforming religion. During the end of the Upanishad period, the Uttarapatra (north highway) was made. Linking the fertile lands of Yamuna and the Ganga Valley, it led to the period of second urbanisation in the Indian sub-continent. Leading to major economic growth it gave birth to new religious sects and philosophical ideas. Among them, the chief religious sects were Buddhism, Vaishnavism, Saivism, and Jainism.When we speak of Brahmanism, Monier Monier-Williams marks, “Pure philosophical Brāhmanism is identified with the Vedanta Systems, which is built upon the doctrine of Brahman.” The discussion of the article centers around the influence of Buddhist philosophies on Brahmanical Hindu religion and its philosophical tradition. Tara Nanda Mishra observed that both Jainism and Buddhism were fostered by heterodox leaders denying the supreme authority of Vedas. Still, they inherited some of the old traditional methods of Tap, Yoga, Bhaikshacharya (begging alms), Charanatika (wanderer), Ekantvasa (living in Seclusion), Asrmavasa (staying away from the common mass in the hermitage) and live at a fixed place during rainy season. In this way they were influenced by the Rigveda.Buddhism is a religion of reason, rejecting all that reason does not comprehend. Buddhism makes its constant appeal to Buddhi, the human intellect as a supreme judge in the religion. The influence of Buddhist philosophy on India’s culture, and civilization over many centuries cannot be overstated, having significantly shaped its development in many ways. It is important to note that Buddhist influence can be seen in both language and doctrine of the Upanishads. Dhamma’s Influence on Upanishads The Buddhist declared animal sacrifice as a crime, as it had resulted in slaughter of an innocent creature, emphasizing compassion and mercy towards all living beings. Contrasting sharply with the sacrificial rites practiced by the Brahmans. Brahmans were in fact compelled to modify their system. The anti-sacrificial tendency of a few Upanisadic passages seems to be inspired by Buddha’s critical attitude towards Vedic Karmakanda. Some……
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