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Contribution of Buddhism to Indian Culture
Pragya Chaturvedi
Buddhism which moulded the Indian thoughts for several centuries contributed largely to Indian culture in its various aspects. In this paper an attempt has been made to describe some of its important aspects, such as political and social ideals, educational system and artistic development based on the aesthetic deals acquired by the people of ancient India.
The great practical achievement of the Buddha was to found a religious order, known as the sangha, which contributed much to the propagation and popularity of Buddhism and exists even today.1 From the Mahavagga we learnt that Buddha sent a number of disciples to different directions with the words, "Go Ye, now, Oh Bikkhus; and wonder, for the gain of the many, for the welfare of the many, out of compassion for the world. Let not two of you go the same way, preach the doctrine which is glorious in the beginning, middle, and end, in the spirit and in the latter proclaim a consummate, perfect and pure life of holiness." The member of his disciples had grown fairly large and he had to work out rules and regulations for the guidance of the members of the sangha (order) which are contained in the Vinaypitaka.
At first Buddha had used a very simple formula for ordination. It merely invited and welcomed the applicant to
