history of the Contribution of Buddhism to Indian Culture

                                          Contribution of Buddhism to Indian Culture

Buddhism has made a remarkable contribution to the
development of Indian culture.- The concept of ahimsa was its chief contribution. Later, it
became one of the cherished values of our nation.
- Its contribution to the art and architecture of India was
notable. The stupas at Sanchi, Bharhut and Gaya are wonderful
pieces of architecture. Buddhism takes the credit for the chaityas
and viharas in different parts of India.

- It promoted education through residential universities like
those at Taxila, Nalanda and Vikramasila.
- The language of Pali and other local languages developed
through the teachings of Buddhism.
- It had also promoted the spread of Indian culture to other
parts of Asia.In the beginning of the 6th century B.C., the northern India
consisted of a large number of independent kingdoms. Some of
them had monarchical forms of government, while some others were
republics. While there was a concentration of monarchies on the
Gangetic plain, the republics were scattered in the foothills of the
Himalayas and in northwestern India. Some of the republics
consisted of only one tribe like the Sakyas, Licchavis and Mallas.
In the republics, the power of decision in all matters of state vested
with the Public Assembly which was composed of the tribal
representatives or heads of families. All decisions were by a
majority vote.

The Buddhist literature Anguttara Nikaya gives a list of sixteen
great kingdoms called ‘Sixteen Mahajanapadas’. They were Anga,
Magadha, Kasi, Kosala, Vajji, Malla, Chedi, Vatsa, Kuru, Panchala,
Matsya, Surasena, Asmaka, Avanti, Gandhara and Kambhoja. TheJain texts also contain references to the existence of sixteen
kingdoms. In course of time, the small and weak kingdoms either
submitted to the stronger rulers or gradually got eliminated. Finally
in the mid 6th century B.C., only four kingdoms – Vatsa, Avanti,
Kosala and Magadha survived.

                                                          Vatsa

The Vatsa kingdom was situated on the banks of the river
Yamuna. Its capital was Kausambi near modern Allahabad. Its most
popular ruler was Udayana. He strengthened his position by entering
into matrimonial alliances with Avanti, Anga and Magadha. After
his death, Vatsa was annexed to the Avanti kingdom.

                                                          Avanti

The capital of Avanti was Ujjain. The most important ruler of
this kingdom was Pradyota. He became powerful by marrying
Vasavadatta, the daughter of Udayana. He patronized Buddhism.
The successors of Pradyota were weak and later this kingdom was
taken over by the rulers of Magadha.

                                                          Kosala

Ayodhya was the capital of Kosala. King Prasenajit was its
famous ruler. He was highly educated. His position was further
strengthened by the matrimonial alliance with Magadha. His sister
was married to Bimbisara and Kasi was given to her as dowry.
Subsequently there was a dispute with Ajatasatru. After the end of
the conflict, Prasenajit married the daughter of Bimbisara. After the
death of this powerful king, Kosala became part of the Magadha.Magadha
Of all the kingdoms of north India, Magadha emerged
powerful and prosperous. It became the nerve centre of political
activity in north India. Magadha was endowed by nature with certain
geographical and strategic advantages. These made her to rise to
imperial greatness. Her strategic position between the upper and
lower part of the Gangetic valley was a great advantage. It had a
fertile soil. The iron ores in the hills near Rajgir and copper and iron
deposits near Gaya added to its natural assets. Her location at the
centre of the highways of trade of those days contributed to her
wealth. Rajagriha was the capital of Magadha. During the reign of
Bimbisara and Ajatasatru, the prosperity of Magadha reached its
zenith.