Buddhism and Brahmins ([Bhakti movement )

[Guest guest]

Rohan Oberoi wrote:

 

> Your assignment of blame for the decline of Buddhism to the "rich

and

> institutional" nature of Buddhist viharas may or may not be part of

> the truth; but your absolution of Brahminical hostility (which is

well

> evidenced in several texts) as "of much less consequence" does not

> appear to be based on any analysis of the evidence.

 

I suggest two references:

 

Holy Places of the Buddha

by Tarthang Tulku (Editor), Elizabeth Cook

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0898002443/

 

The Rise and Decline of Buddhism in India/Kanai Lal Hazra

http://www.vedamsbooks.com/no10324.htm

 

Rohan wrote:

 

> nothing, since by becoming Buddhists they rejected Brahminism;

 

Brahminism is a relatively new term. I am not sure what it

means for that time period.

 

Buddhist texts mention Brahmins numerous times. Generally they

are represented as respected elites. While Buddhism rejects the

view that brahmins are superior by birth (for example in

Brahman-Vaggo in Dhamma-pada and elsewhere), there is no hostility

against Brahmins.

 

I am not sure if Arya-Shuura (4th cent?) was a Brahmin,

but his Jataka-mala sounds very "brahmanical" with Bodhisattvas

dutifully donating to Brahmins.

 

Once the Buddha Was a Monkey : Arya Sura's Jatakamala

by Peter Khoroche (Translator), Arya Sura Jatakamala,

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0226780031/

(I have the Motilala Banarsidas Sanskrit/Hindi text)

 

Yashwant