Glimpses Of World Religions

Author(s): Gunvant Barvalia
Publisher: Navbharat Sahitya Mandir

Page 73

Bauddha Dharma
Having arisen from the holy soil of India and then spreading its wings of propaganda and extension Bauddha Dharma that settled nicely is a unique religion from many points of view. This religion was born, so to say, about 2600 years ago in Bharat. This religion that sprouted or arose in the 6th century B.C. has a place of importance and honour today not only in India but in many many countries of the world.
During those days, the Vedic ‘yagna' riiuals had flowered by leaps and bounds. With a view to securing on heaven, they used to perform 'sacrifices' or yagnas, , . poor beasts were killed for an offering in those yagnas. Spirituality in the real sense was nowhere to be seen. There were acute discriminations between man and man. By dint of birth only a man was recognised a Brahman or a Kshatriya, or a Vaishya or Shudra. The last, namely Shudra was not respected at all. They had no right to read or had an access to the Vedas. They had no place in religious rites either. The condition of women was also tragic or pitiable. In such an atmosphere, Mahavir and Gautam Buddha brought about new spirit and a revolution in thoughts.
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