Indian philosophy had immense influence in the ancient world. In addition to the Indian subcontinent, ancient Hindu temples and relics can be found in almost all parts of Asia. Cambodia has the largest known collection of ancient Hindu temples in the world. Buddhist influence can be felt in many parts of Asia today. Buddhism was propagated by Indian kings the common man. For example, emperor Ashoka sent his children as emissaries in other countries to spread Buddhism. Buddhist philosophy and the way of life became so influential that it became a dominant religion in large parts of Asia (that is why you see Buddhist statues even in Afghanistan). Even today, Buddhism is very influential (shaded region in the map has Buddhist influence even today).
In India itself, there used to be seminars to discuss Buddhists teachings. The teachings of Buddha would be reinterpreted to suit the existing conditions of the time. It was this reason that led to formation of different sects in Buddhism. Its followers spread Buddhism, not by use of violence, but by use of reason. It was so successful that it spread in whole of Asia including South East Asia where it is still influential. As far as I know, no heretics were ever persecuted. When you are open to other people’s viewpoint, how can you have heretics?
If one were to look at spread of Buddhism, one would realize that Buddhism spread in India when there was a central authority to help in its propagation. When Hindu dynasties became powerful, Buddhism waned in India. However it remained a dominant religion in other parts of Asia.
Today there is an emotional attachment with India for people from south Asia, but since these places have done economically better, the attachment is waning. Fort those who get to actually visit India, the attachment is replaced by hopelessness. I vividly recall one such instance. A professor from National University of Singapore (NUS) had come to IIT Guwahati to influence students to join different programs at NUS. He was a Buddhist and had met many Indian professionals in his life. He had a very favorable impression of India because it was the land that had given the world Buddhist philosophy and Indian professionals he had interacted with were as good as anyone he had met in his life. As he was a practicing Buddhist he had assumed India to be a spiritually inclined yet rational in outlook and a progressive land. However his visit to Guwahati was a rude shock to his assumptions about India.
He could not comprehend how could people with such an ancient civilization had no sense of sanitation, sense of hygiene or any civic sense. How could people with a rich heritage be full of apathy towards the society they resided in? His first stop was Kolkatta. He was shocked to a see a city which looked as if it had been built centuries ago. The buildings could not possibly pass the safety codes when they were largely taken over by overgrowing vegetation. Trees literally competed with the house walls for space of their own. And they won at most of the places. The trees had taken place of the walls but the inhabitants still lived in those houses.
He could not simply understand it.While working in Infosys I interacted with a lot of people from Thailabd. They thought India to be steeped in poverty. They wanted to come to Bodhgaya but for the fact that the region is one of the poorest in the world. One has to read accounts of Buddhist and Hindu people in diaspora to understand their disappointment after visiting India. I realised this when I read ‘India- An Area of Darkness’ by VS Naipaul. Naipaul grew up in Trinidad, believing India to be the mythological place, which the readings of scriptures and stories from his elders had explained it to be. He was deeply disappointed to find India desperately poor, tradition bound and looking into past for inspiration.
One simple question could be asked to the Indians of the day, which past was Buddha looking into? Which past was Adi Shankara looking into? Did they not give philosophy at a particular time, which did not exist in the past? Why did the Indians of that day not reject those ideas because they did not exist earlier? The fact is that India was looking into past was because there was nothing to look forward to in the present or in the future. Since India is doing well economically today, people have started looking at the future with hope and aspirations.
Indian philosophy and way of life is inclusive. It does not propogate one way of life, one God, one Truth, or one right approach. It accepts different cultures, different religions, and different ways of life. It was cosmopolitan before being cosmopolitan became a good thing. It accepts multiplicity of truth: 'My God is no better or worse than your God'. If you convert to Buddhism, Jainism, or Hinduism, you do not have to deny your history and do not have to purge non-Buddhist, non-Jain, or non-hindu influence from your shared past. You do not have to propagate your philosophy or convert other people to become a good Jain, a good Buddhist, or a good Hindu. There are no set of rules for you to interact with people from other religions. There is a simple guideline.
Treat them as you would treat people from your own religion. In a world divided among competiting ethnic, religious, and tribal allegiances, Indian viewpoint can have a balming effect.India has to do well, not only for self-esteem of Indians but also for the self-esteem of rest of the people in the world who are connected to India emotionally. India has to be economic powerhouse for the Buddhist’s, Hindu’s, Jain’s, Sikh’s and other people following Indian faith’s self esteem. If Buddhist people were to do as well, there would be no doubt spread of Buddhism as well. Why is this important? It is important because this would not lead to rootless ness in people. They will feel empowered if they were to remain confident of their own cultural traditions and way of life.
Let us not dwell into some mythical past. Let us work in the present with hope and determination. This is the only way for a better future. We Indians need to do well, not only for us, but also for other people who want to see us doing better.
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