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Is Buddhism A Religion
which are basic to their ethical existence. But does this mean that they should not have "distinct" religious beliefs? If somebody believes that Jainism and Buddhism are "distinct and apart" from what is known as "Hinduism" what harm is caused to their "Indianness" (Bharatiyata)? On the contrary, if the belief that Jainism and Buddhism are "distinct from Hinduism is found correct it amounts to a great credit to the Indian culture that it has been capable to produce "distnict" philosophical aspects of reality to cater to the different catagories of people. Even if we believe, for the sake of argument, that Buddhism and Jainism are not "distinct and apart" from Hinduism, what is the sequester thereof? does it help us for counting more heads for Hinduism? Or, does improve our economic, social or political status? If answer to these questions is in the negative, the whole discussion becomes purely academic which will never be concluded for want of reliable historical data.
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This being the real position any learned discussion of this question appears to be rather
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