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Daily Reading 9th July

The Enduring Contributions of Buddhism to Indian Culture

The emergence of Buddhism in the 6th century BCE marked a profound turning point in the socio-cultural fabric of ancient India. Arising as a response to the complex ritualism and rigid caste hierarchies of the Vedic period, it offered a more accessible and egalitarian path to spiritual liberation. Its core tenets, such as the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path, were presented not as divine revelations but as a pragmatic guide to ending suffering. This approach, which eschewed extreme asceticism and blind faith, resonated deeply with the masses, including merchants and lower castes who were marginalized by the existing social order.

One of Buddhism's most visible contributions lies in the realm of art and architecture. The religion inspired the creation of monumental structures like stupas (Sanchi), viharas (monasteries), and chaityas (prayer halls). These structures were not merely places of worship but also centers of learning and community life. Under royal patronage from rulers like Ashoka and Kanishka, a distinct Buddhist aesthetic developed, leading to the flourishing of the Gandhara and Mathura schools of art. These schools produced some of the first anthropomorphic representations of the Buddha, creating an iconography that would influence art across Asia for centuries.

Furthermore, Buddhism played a crucial role in the development of language and literature. To ensure the widespread dissemination of its teachings, early Buddhists chose to preach in vernacular languages like Pali and Prakrit, rather than the elite Sanskrit. This was a revolutionary step that made complex philosophical ideas accessible to the common laity for the first time. The compilation of the Tripitakas (the Buddhist canon) and the Jataka tales in these languages created a rich literary tradition that has been a valuable source for understanding the social and cultural history of the period.

Though Buddhism as an organized religion declined in the land of its birth, its principles were gradually assimilated into the broader Hindu philosophical landscape, creating a syncretic cultural tradition. The emphasis on ahimsa (non-violence) and compassion became central values in many Indian belief systems. The legacy of Buddhism's challenge to social inequality and its promotion of a rational, ethical way of life has left an indelible mark on Indian civilization, influencing its moral and intellectual consciousness to this day.

भारतीय संस्कृति में बौद्ध धर्म का स्थायी योगदान

छठी शताब्दी ईसा पूर्व में बौद्ध धर्म का उदय प्राचीन भारत के सामाजिक-सांस्कृतिक ताने-बाने में एक गहन (profound) मोड़ था। वैदिक काल की जटिल कर्मकांडों और कठोर जाति पदानुक्रमों की प्रतिक्रिया के रूप में उत्पन्न होकर, इसने आध्यात्मिक मुक्ति के लिए एक अधिक सुलभ और समतावादी (egalitarian) मार्ग प्रदान किया। इसके मूल सिद्धांतों (tenets), जैसे कि चार आर्य सत्य और अष्टांगिक मार्ग, को दैवीय खुलासे के रूप में नहीं, बल्कि दुख को समाप्त करने के लिए एक व्यावहारिक (pragmatic) मार्गदर्शक के रूप में प्रस्तुत किया गया था। इस दृष्टिकोण, जिसने अत्यधिक तपस्या (asceticism) और अंध विश्वास से परहेज किया (eschewed), ने जनता के साथ गहराई से प्रतिध्वनित किया, जिसमें व्यापारी और निचली जातियां भी शामिल थीं, जो मौजूदा सामाजिक व्यवस्था द्वारा हाशिए पर थीं।

बौद्ध धर्म का सबसे स्पष्ट योगदान कला और वास्तुकला के क्षेत्र में है। इस धर्म ने स्तूप (सांची), विहार (मठ), और चैत्य (प्रार्थना कक्ष) जैसी स्मारकीय (monumental) संरचनाओं के निर्माण को प्रेरित किया। ये संरचनाएं केवल पूजा स्थल नहीं थीं, बल्कि सीखने और सामुदायिक जीवन के केंद्र भी थीं। अशोक और कनिष्क जैसे शासकों के शाही संरक्षण (patronage) में, एक विशिष्ट बौद्ध सौंदर्यशास्त्र (aesthetic) विकसित हुआ, जिससे गांधार और मथुरा कला विद्यालयों का विकास हुआ। इन विद्यालयों ने बुद्ध के कुछ पहले मानवरूपी अभ्यावेदन का निर्माण किया, जिससे एक ऐसी प्रतिमा विज्ञान का निर्माण हुआ जिसने सदियों तक पूरे एशिया में कला को प्रभावित किया।

इसके अलावा, बौद्ध धर्म ने भाषा और साहित्य के विकास में एक महत्वपूर्ण भूमिका निभाई। अपनी शिक्षाओं के व्यापक प्रसार (dissemination) को सुनिश्चित करने के लिए, प्रारंभिक बौद्धों ने अभिजात वर्ग की संस्कृत के बजाय पाली और प्राकृत जैसी आम भाषाओं (vernacular) में उपदेश देना चुना। यह एक क्रांतिकारी कदम था जिसने पहली बार आम जनता (laity) के लिए जटिल दार्शनिक विचारों को सुलभ बनाया। इन भाषाओं में त्रिपिटक (बौद्ध धर्मग्रंथ) और जातक कथाओं के संकलन ने एक समृद्ध साहित्यिक परंपरा का निर्माण किया जो उस अवधि के सामाजिक और सांस्कृतिक इतिहास को समझने के लिए एक मूल्यवान स्रोत रही है।

यद्यपि बौद्ध धर्म एक संगठित धर्म के रूप में अपनी जन्मभूमि में घट गया, लेकिन इसके सिद्धांत धीरे-धीरे व्यापक हिंदू दार्शनिक परिदृश्य में आत्मसात (assimilated) हो गए, जिससे एक समधर्मी (syncretic) सांस्कृतिक परंपरा का निर्माण हुआ। अहिंसा (अहिंसा) और करुणा पर जोर कई भारतीय विश्वास प्रणालियों में केंद्रीय मूल्य बन गए। सामाजिक असमानता के लिए बौद्ध धर्म की चुनौती और एक तर्कसंगत, नैतिक जीवन शैली को बढ़ावा देने की विरासत ने भारतीय सभ्यता पर एक अमिट (indelible) छाप छोड़ी है, जो आज भी इसकी नैतिक और बौद्धिक चेतना को प्रभावित कर रही है।

ভাৰতীয় সংস্কৃতিত বৌদ্ধ ধৰ্মৰ স্থায়ী অৱদান

খ্ৰীষ্টপূৰ্ব ৬ষ্ঠ শতিকাত বৌদ্ধ ধৰ্মৰ আবিৰ্ভাৱে প্ৰাচীন ভাৰতৰ সামাজিক-সাংস্কৃতিক গাঁথনিত এক গভীৰ (profound) পৰিৱৰ্তন আনিছিল। বৈদিক যুগৰ জটিল ৰীতি-নীতি আৰু কঠোৰ জাতিগত ভেদাভেদৰ প্ৰতিক্ৰিয়া হিচাপে উদ্ভৱ হোৱা এই ধৰ্মই আধ্যাত্মিক মুক্তিৰ বাবে এক অধিক সুলভ আৰু সমতাবাদী (egalitarian) পথ প্ৰদান কৰিছিল। ইয়াৰ মূল নীতিসমূহ (tenets), যেনে চাৰি আৰ্য সত্য আৰু অষ্টাংগিক মাৰ্গ, ঐশ্বৰিক প্ৰকাশ হিচাপে নহয়, বৰঞ্চ দুখ-কষ্টৰ অন্ত পেলোৱাৰ এক ব্যৱহাৰিক (pragmatic) নিৰ্দেশনা হিচাপে উপস্থাপন কৰা হৈছিল। এই দৃষ্টিভংগী, যিয়ে চৰম তপস্যা (asceticism) আৰু অন্ধবিশ্বাসক ত্যাগ কৰিছিল (eschewed), জনসাধাৰণৰ মাজত গভীৰভাৱে প্ৰতিধ্বনিত হৈছিল, যাৰ ভিতৰত আছিল ব্যৱসায়ী আৰু নিম্ন বৰ্ণৰ লোকসকল, যিসকলক বিদ্যমান সামাজিক ব্যৱস্থাই প্ৰান্তীয় কৰি ৰাখিছিল।

বৌদ্ধ ধৰ্মৰ অন্যতম দৃশ্যমান অৱদান কলা আৰু স্থাপত্যৰ ক্ষেত্ৰত দেখা যায়। এই ধৰ্মই স্তূপ (সাঁচী), বিহাৰ (মঠ) আৰু চৈত্য (প্ৰাৰ্থনা গৃহ)ৰ দৰে স্মৃতিস্তম্ভস্বৰূপ (monumental) স্থাপত্য নিৰ্মাণৰ বাবে অনুপ্ৰেৰণা যোগাইছিল। এই স্থাপত্যসমূহ কেৱল উপাসনাৰ স্থান নাছিল, বৰঞ্চ শিক্ষা আৰু সামাজিক জীৱনৰ কেন্দ্ৰও আছিল। অশোক আৰু কনিষ্কৰ দৰে শাসকৰ ৰাজকীয় পৃষ্ঠপোষকতা (patronage)-ত এক সুকীয়া বৌদ্ধ নান্দনিকতা (aesthetic) গঢ় লৈ উঠিছিল, যাৰ ফলত গান্ধাৰ আৰু মথুৰা কলা শৈলীৰ বিকাশ হৈছিল। এই শৈলীসমূহে বুদ্ধৰ প্ৰথম মানৱৰূপী প্ৰতিমাসমূহ নিৰ্মাণ কৰিছিল, যিয়ে এক এনেকুৱা প্ৰতিমা-শৈলীৰ সৃষ্টি কৰিছিল যিয়ে শতিকাজুৰি সমগ্ৰ এছিয়াৰ কলাক প্ৰভাৱিত কৰিছিল।

তদুপৰি, বৌদ্ধ ধৰ্মই ভাষা আৰু সাহিত্যৰ বিকাশত এক গুৰুত্বপূৰ্ণ ভূমিকা পালন কৰিছিল। নিজৰ শিক্ষাৰ ব্যাপক প্ৰসাৰ (dissemination) সুনিশ্চিত কৰিবলৈ, প্ৰাৰম্ভিক বৌদ্ধসকলে অভিজাত সংস্কৃতৰ পৰিৱৰ্তে পালি আৰু প্ৰাকৃতৰ দৰে স্থানীয় ভাষা (vernacular)-ত ধৰ্ম প্ৰচাৰ কৰিবলৈ বাছি লৈছিল। এয়া এক বৈপ্লৱিক পদক্ষেপ আছিল যিয়ে প্ৰথমবাৰৰ বাবে সাধাৰণ জনসাধাৰণ (laity)-ৰ বাবে জটিল দাৰ্শনিক ধাৰণাসমূহ সহজলভ্য কৰি তুলিছিল। এই ভাষাসমূহত ত্ৰিপিটক (বৌদ্ধ ধৰ্মগ্ৰন্থ) আৰু জাতকৰ কাহিনীবোৰৰ সংকলনে এক সমৃদ্ধ সাহিত্যিক পৰম্পৰা সৃষ্টি কৰিছিল যি সেই সময়ৰ সামাজিক আৰু সাংস্কৃতিক ইতিহাস বুজি পোৱাৰ এক মূল্যৱান উৎস হৈ আহিছে।

যদিও বৌদ্ধ ধৰ্ম এক সংগঠিত ধৰ্ম হিচাপে নিজৰ জন্মভূমিত অৱনমিত হৈছিল, ইয়াৰ নীতিসমূহ ক্ৰমান্বয়ে বহল হিন্দু দাৰ্শনিক পৰিৱেশত আত্মীভূত (assimilated) হৈ পৰিছিল, যাৰ ফলত এক সমন্বয়বাদী (syncretic) সাংস্কৃতিক পৰম্পৰা সৃষ্টি হৈছিল। অহিংসা আৰু কৰুণাৰ ওপৰত গুৰুত্ব দিয়াটো বহুতো ভাৰতীয় বিশ্বাস প্ৰণালীৰ কেন্দ্ৰীয় মূল্য হৈ পৰিছিল। সামাজিক বৈষম্যৰ প্ৰতি বৌদ্ধ ধৰ্মৰ প্ৰত্যাহ্বান আৰু এক যুক্তিসংগত, নৈতিক জীৱনশৈলীৰ প্ৰচাৰৰ উত্তৰাধিকাৰে ভাৰতীয় সভ্যতাৰ ওপৰত এক অমোচনীয় (indelible) চাপ পেলাইছে, যি আজিও ইয়াৰ নৈতিক আৰু বৌদ্ধিক চেতনাক প্ৰভাৱিত কৰি আছে।

PROFOUND


Meaning in English — Very great or intense; having or showing great knowledge or insight.

Meaning in Hindi — गहन, गहरा, गंभीर

Meaning in Assamese — গভীৰ, गहन, গুৰুতৰ

This Word is an English grammar: Adjective

Forms — Profoundly (Adverb), Profundity (Noun)

Synonyms — Deep, intense, insightful, philosophical, weighty.

Antonyms — Superficial, shallow, trivial, simple, mild.

Usage in a sentence — The discovery had a profound impact on modern science.

EGALITARIAN


Meaning in English — Believing in or based on the principle that all people are equal and deserve equal rights and opportunities.

Meaning in Hindi — समतावादी, समानतावादी

Meaning in Assamese — সমতাবাদী

This Word is an English grammar: Adjective

Forms — Egalitarianism (Noun)

Synonyms — Equitable, impartial, democratic, classless, fair.

Antonyms — Elitist, hierarchical, unequal, autocratic, discriminatory.

Usage in a sentence — Buddhism's egalitarian message appealed to those oppressed by the caste system.

TENETS


Meaning in English — The main principles of a religion or philosophy.

Meaning in Hindi — सिद्धांत, मत, उसूल

Meaning in Assamese — নীতি, সিদ্ধান্ত, মতবাদ

This Word is an English grammar: Noun (plural)

Forms — Tenet (Singular)

Synonyms — Principles, doctrines, beliefs, precepts, canons.

Antonyms — Doubts, disbeliefs, ambiguities, heresies, questions.

Usage in a sentence — The core tenets of the philosophy are non-violence and compassion.

PRAGMATIC


Meaning in English — Dealing with things sensibly and realistically in a way that is based on practical rather than theoretical considerations.

Meaning in Hindi — व्यावहारिक, यथार्थवादी

Meaning in Assamese — ব্যৱহাৰিক, বাস্তৱবাদী

This Word is an English grammar: Adjective

Forms — Pragmatism (Noun), Pragmatically (Adverb)

Synonyms — Practical, realistic, sensible, down-to-earth, matter-of-fact.

Antonyms — Impractical, idealistic, theoretical, unrealistic, visionary.

Usage in a sentence — In business, a pragmatic approach is often more successful than an idealistic one.

ESCHEWED


Meaning in English — Deliberately avoided using; abstained from.

Meaning in Hindi — परहेज किया, त्याग दिया

Meaning in Assamese — ত্যাগ কৰা, পৰিহাৰ কৰা

This Word is an English grammar: Verb (past tense)

Forms — Eschew (Verb), Eschewing (Present Participle)

Synonyms — Avoided, shunned, refrained from, abstained from, forsook.

Antonyms — Embraced, accepted, adopted, pursued, welcomed.

Usage in a sentence — He eschewed violence and resolved the conflict through peaceful dialogue.

ASCETICISM


Meaning in English — Severe self-discipline and avoidance of all forms of indulgence, typically for religious reasons.

Meaning in Hindi — तपस्या, वैराग्य, संन्यास

Meaning in Assamese — তপস্যা, আত্মসংযম

This Word is an English grammar: Noun

Forms — Ascetic (Adjective/Noun)

Synonyms — Austerity, self-denial, self-discipline, abstinence, austerity.

Antonyms — Indulgence, hedonism, luxury, excess, self-gratification.

Usage in a sentence — The monks practice a life of asceticism, detached from worldly pleasures.

MONUMENTAL


Meaning in English — Great in importance, extent, or size.

Meaning in Hindi — स्मारकीय, विशाल, भव्य

Meaning in Assamese — স্মৃতিস্তম্ভস্বৰূপ, বিশাল, গুৰুত্বপূৰ্ণ

This Word is an English grammar: Adjective

Forms — Monumentally (Adverb)

Synonyms — Massive, immense, huge, epic, historic.

Antonyms — Trivial, insignificant, minor, small, unimportant.

Usage in a sentence — Building the great pyramids was a monumental undertaking for the ancient Egyptians.

PATRONAGE


Meaning in English — The support, especially financial, given by a patron.

Meaning in Hindi — संरक्षण, सहायता

Meaning in Assamese — পৃষ্ঠপোষকতা, সহায়

This Word is an English grammar: Noun

Forms — Patron (Noun), Patronize (Verb)

Synonyms — Sponsorship, backing, funding, support, encouragement.

Antonyms — Opposition, hindrance, disapproval, discouragement, boycott.

Usage in a sentence — Many great artists of the Renaissance depended on the patronage of wealthy families.

AESTHETIC


Meaning in English — Concerned with beauty or the appreciation of beauty.

Meaning in Hindi — सौंदर्यशास्त्र, सौंदर्यबोध

Meaning in Assamese — নান্দনিক, সৌন্দৰ্য্যবোধ

This Word is an English grammar: Adjective / Noun

Forms — Aesthetically (Adverb), Aesthetics (Noun)

Synonyms — Artistic, beautiful, tasteful, decorative, ornamental.

Antonyms — Ugly, unattractive, displeasing, tasteless, plain.

Usage in a sentence — The new building has a very modern aesthetic.

DISSEMINATION


Meaning in English — The action or fact of spreading something, especially information, widely.

Meaning in Hindi — प्रसार, फैलाव

Meaning in Assamese — প্ৰসাৰ, বিস্তাৰ

This Word is an English grammar: Noun

Forms — Disseminate (Verb)

Synonyms — Spreading, circulation, distribution, propagation, broadcast.

Antonyms — Collection, suppression, concealment, gathering, restriction.

Usage in a sentence — The invention of the printing press revolutionized the dissemination of knowledge.

VERNACULAR


Meaning in English — The language or dialect spoken by the ordinary people of a country or region.

Meaning in Hindi — आम भाषा, स्थानीय भाषा

Meaning in Assamese — স্থানীয় ভাষা, কথিত ভাষা

This Word is an English grammar: Noun / Adjective

Forms — N/A

Synonyms — Common speech, native tongue, dialect, colloquial language, informal language.

Antonyms — Formal language, classical language, standard language, academic language, official language.

Usage in a sentence — The author was praised for writing his novel in the local vernacular.

LAITY


Meaning in English — Lay people, as distinct from the clergy or professionals.

Meaning in Hindi — आम जनता, गृहस्थ लोग

Meaning in Assamese — সাধাৰণ জনতা, গৃহস্থ লোক

This Word is an English grammar: Noun

Forms — N/A

Synonyms — Laypeople, congregation, flock, followers, common people.

Antonyms — Clergy, priesthood, ministry, ecclesiastics, professionals.

Usage in a sentence — The new reforms were aimed at increasing the involvement of the laity in church affairs.

ASSIMILATED


Meaning in English — To absorb and integrate (people, ideas, or culture) into a wider society or culture.

Meaning in Hindi — आत्मसात कर लिया, सम्मिलित कर लिया

Meaning in Assamese — আত্মীভূত কৰা, অন্তৰ্ভুক্ত কৰা

This Word is an English grammar: Verb (past tense)

Forms — Assimilate (Verb), Assimilation (Noun)

Synonyms — Incorporated, integrated, absorbed, blended, merged.

Antonyms — Segregated, separated, rejected, excluded, alienated.

Usage in a sentence — Over time, the immigrant community assimilated into the local culture.

SYNCRETIC


Meaning in English — The amalgamation or attempted amalgamation of different religions, cultures, or schools of thought.

Meaning in Hindi — समधर्मी, समन्वयवादी

Meaning in Assamese — সমন্বয়বাদী, মিশ্ৰিত

This Word is an English grammar: Adjective

Forms — Syncretism (Noun)

Synonyms — Blended, merged, fused, combined, amalgamated.

Antonyms — Pure, unmixed, distinct, separate, exclusive.

Usage in a sentence — The festival is a syncretic blend of pagan and Christian traditions.

INDELIBLE


Meaning in English — Not able to be forgotten or removed.

Meaning in Hindi — अमिट, स्थायी

Meaning in Assamese — অমোচনীয়, স্থায়ী

This Word is an English grammar: Adjective

Forms — Indelibly (Adverb)

Synonyms — Lasting, permanent, unforgettable, enduring, ingrained.

Antonyms — Erasable, temporary, forgettable, fleeting, transient.

Usage in a sentence — The experience of visiting the historical site left an indelible impression on her mind.

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