Category: Soft Power

Buddhism, a major world religion, originated in India over 2,500 years ago and has had a profound impact on Indian culture and history, as well as on the world at large. Many great Buddhist thinkers from India have contributed to the development of Buddhism, and their teachings have had a profound impact on the religion. One of the most influential and renowned thinkers in Buddhism is Gautama Buddha, also known as Siddhartha Gautama, who founded the religion in the 6th century BCE. Buddha’s teachings centered on the Four Noble Truths, which are the foundation of Buddhist philosophy, and his ideas have influenced many thinkers and philosophers over the centuries. Another significant Indian thinker in Buddhism is Nagarjuna, who lived in the second century CE and is considered one of the most important philosophers in Buddhist philosophy. Nagarjuna’s most famous work, the Mūlamadhyamakakārikā, or the “Fundamental Verses on the Middle Way,” argues that all phenomena are empty of inherent existence. This idea, known as “emptiness,” has become one of the central concepts in Mahayana Buddhist philosophy. Asanga, who lived in the fourth century CE, was a major figure in the development of Yogacara, one of the two main philosophical schools of Mahayana Buddhism. Asanga’s most important work, the Yogācārabhūmi-śāstra, outlines the stages of spiritual practice that lead to the attainment of enlightenment. Asanga’s teachings have had a significant impact on the development of Mahayana Buddhist philosophy, and his ideas continue to be studied and discussed by Buddhist scholars and practitioners today. Dignaga, who lived in the fifth century CE, was a major figure in the development of Buddhist logic and epistemology. His most important work, the Pramāṇa-samuccaya, outlines the Buddhist theory of knowledge. Dignaga’s ideas have had a significant impact on the development of Buddhist philosophy, and his work has been influential in the fields of logic and epistemology. Vasubandhu, who lived in the fourth or fifth century CE, was another major figure in the development of Yogacara. He was born in Puruṣapura in ancient India. Vasubandhu’s most important work, the Abhidharmakośa-bhāṣya, provides a detailed analysis of Buddhist psychology and philosophy. Vasubandhu’s ideas have had a significant impact on the development of Mahayana Buddhist philosophy, and his work continues to be studied and discussed by Buddhist scholars and practitioners today. Other important thinkers in Buddhism include Maitreya, who is believed to be the future Buddha, and Bodhidharma, who is credited with bringing Buddhism to China from India and founding the Chan (Zen) school of Buddhism. Maitreya’s most important work, the Maitreya-bhāvanā-sūtra, outlines the practice of loving-kindness and compassion, while Bodhidharma’s teachings focused on meditation and the direct realization of one’s true nature. In addition to these thinkers, there were many other scholars, philosophers, and teachers who contributed to the development of Buddhism in India. Some of these include Aryadeva, who wrote commentaries on Nagarjuna’s works, and Dharmakirti, who wrote extensively on Buddhist logic and epistemology. The works of these ancient Indian thinkers, along with those of Nagarjuna, Asanga, Dignaga, Vasubandhu, and others, have had a profound impact on the development of Buddhist philosophy and have influenced countless practitioners and scholars over the centuries. It is important to note that the teachings of these great thinkers were not static, but rather evolved over time, as different interpretations and schools of Buddhism emerged. For example, Nagarjuna’s teachings on emptiness were further developed by his disciple Aryadeva, who wrote extensively on the topic and provided important commentaries on Nagarjuna’s works. Similarly, the works of Asanga and Vasubandhu were further developed by later Yogacara and Madhyamaka philosophers, who elaborated on their ideas and contributed new insights to Buddhist philosophy. Another important aspect of these great thinkers’ contributions to Buddhism is their focus on practice and meditation. While they certainly wrote extensively on philosophical topics, they were also deeply committed to the practical aspects of Buddhist practice, such as mindfulness, compassion, and meditation. In fact, many of their works include detailed instructions on how to engage in these practices and develop one’s spiritual life. One of the most notable examples of this focus on practice is the teachings of Bodhidharma, who emphasized the importance of meditation in the realization of one’s true nature. Bodhidharma’s teachings were instrumental in the development of Chan (Zen) Buddhism, which emphasized the direct experience of reality over philosophical speculation or doctrine. This approach to practice and realization has had a profound impact on Buddhism and has influenced many practitioners and scholars over the centuries. Overall, the contributions of these great ancient Indian thinkers to Buddhism are immeasurable, and their teachings have had a profound impact on the development of the religion. From the foundational teachings of Gautama Buddha to the philosophical elaborations of Nagarjuna and beyond, these thinkers have shaped the way Buddhists think about the world, the self, and the path to enlightenment. Whether through their philosophical insights, practical teachings, or personal examples, they have inspired countless practitioners and scholars to deepen their understanding of Buddhism and apply its principles in their own lives.

Submitted by Phuntsog Dolma, Ph. D Bodhidharma, a revered Buddhist monk who lived during 5th or 6th century is credited with the diffusion of Chan Buddhism (Chinese school of Mahayana Buddhism) to China. The word Chan is derived from the Sanskrit word ‘Dhyana’ means ‘mental absorption’ or ‘meditation’ which was later transmitted to Vietnam as Thien, Korea as Seon and in Japan as Zen Buddhism. Bodhidharma was the second Indian Buddhist monk who traveled to Southern China and is known as Putidamo in China and Daruma in Japan. The account of the life of Bodhidharma is mostly legendary and historical sources are scanty. He was said to be the third son of Pallava king Simhavarman II of the ancient Pallava dynasty of South India. The ancient Pallava kingdom consisted of the present state of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Telangana. Back then South India was a cradle of Mahayana Buddhism and was the birthplace of great Buddhist panditas such as Acharya Nagarjuna. The Chinese monk traveler Xuanzang (Hsüan tsang) who visited India roughly 100 years after Bodhidharma in his travelogue recorded hundreds of Mahayana monasteries and 10,000 monks in Kanchi, the capital of the ancient Pallava dynasty of India. After the passing away of his father, Bodhidharma decided to renounce his princely life. As a child, he was a bright student and received instruction in Dharma from master Prajnatara who was an accomplished Buddhist master from the heartland of Magadha. Acknowledging the spiritual potential of his student, Prajnotara trained him in the ‘Instantaneous Entrance to the Way’ according to the Mahayana Tradition and attained Bodhi, thus, became the 28th patriarch of Mahayana Buddhism in India and the 1st patriarch of Chan Buddhism in China. On the advice of master Prajnatara, Bodhidharma undertook a journey to China that took him about three years. Upon reaching China, he met Emperor Wu-ti, a devout Buddhist of the Liang dynasty. Their famous meeting is recorded in the Blue Cliff Record, a collection of Buddhist koans compiled in 1125. The dialogue between the two is recorded as follows: The Emperor asked: “I have constructed many temples for Buddhists and used to serve for transcribing a number of Buddhism sutras. What karmic merit is promised?” Bodhi-Dharma replied: “No merit. After this celebrated confrontation with Emperor Wu, Bodhidharma traveled north to live in a cave at Shaolin monastery located on Songshan on Mount Sung near Lo-yang, where he is said to have sat in meditation facing a wall for nine years. Here, he met with his first disciple Huike who further carried out the lineage of Chan tradition in China. He is believed to have founded the Chinese martial arts of the Shaolin School, which later led to the creation of the world-famous Shaolin Gongfu. In a conference paper titled ‘Contribution of Tamils to the Composite Culture of Asia’ it is mentioned that “During his stay at Shaolin monastery Bodhidharma taught the monks the fighting art of India, which today is known as Kalaripayat and which in those days, was known as Vermanie. These ancient martial art forms also had a medicinal aspect, because if any student got injured he would go to his teacher for treatment, as is being done even today at Kalaripayat schools. As a prince, Bodhidharma would have been taught the traditional arts, which he also propagated to his Chinese students. It all started because the long hours of the meditative practice of Mahayana Buddhism was not conducive to the proper circulation of blood. So he taught his students not only martial arts but also breathing techniques, which was related to the Pranayama and other techniques of Yoga, again which he would have learnt as part of the traditional arts training during his princely studies. Another reason for the training of the martial arts, which he imparted to the monks, was to prepare them to be able to defend themselves against highway robbers, thieves and animals as they went from place to place preaching Buddhism”. Thus, Bodhidharma’s approach tended to reject devotional rituals, doctrinal debates, and verbal formalizations. Rather, he favored meditation, through which people are able to intuitively grasp the Buddha nature within. He was also believed to have introduced the Lankavatara Sutra to Chinese Buddhism. He was highly revered by the monks and soon became an icon among the people of China who made visits to the cave to pay their respects to him, which they do even today. In Japan, there are eight major temples that are dedicated to Daruma and he is revered in every aspect of Japanese life and culture. Moreover, the statue of Bodhidharma is enshrined in almost every Japanese Zen temple along with a statue of Buddha. Thus, the teaching of this great saint from Indian soil transformed the life and culture of people in China, Japan, and many other South East Asian countries.