The root cause of Buddhism's demise in India is a complex issue that involves many factors. Here are some of the main reasons that may have led to the demise of Buddhism in India:
Internal corruption: With the popularity of Mahayana Buddhism, some monks began to covet comfort and renounce asceticism, which led to the corruption of the Sangha. The populace stayed away from it, which influenced the spread and acceptance of Buddhism.
Hindu revivalWith the rise of Hinduism, which abolished some of the cumbersome rituals of Brahmanism and called for equality between men and women, it made Hinduism more attractive to the populace. In contrast, Buddhism's appeal has waned.
Denominational integrationIn order to attract followers, Mahayana Buddhism has absorbed many of the teachings and legends of Hinduism. However, as the boundaries between Buddhism and Hinduism blurred, Buddhism was gradually absorbed and integrated by Hinduism, and eventually lost its own uniqueness and independence.
Sectarian strife: There are different sects and branches within Buddhism, and there are sometimes differences and conflicts between them over issues such as ideas and power, which also affects the overall development of Buddhism.
Loss of asylum: The flourishing of Buddhism in India mainly relied on the support of emperors such as Emperor Ashoka and King Kaseva. Once the emperor's protection was lost, the status of Buddhism declined rapidly, which was one of the important reasons for the demise of Buddhism in India.
Political turmoil: There have been many political upheavals and wars in the history of India, and these events have had a negative impact on the development of Buddhism. For example, the rise of Hinduism and the invasion of Islam led to the weakening of Buddhism.
Economic pressures: Over time, the living conditions of Buddhist monks gradually deteriorated, and the economic pressure increased. Some monks engage in business or accept secular positions in order to make a living, which affects how dedicated they are to religious causes.
Social change: Changes in Indian society also affected the development of Buddhism. For example, the reform of the caste system, the acceleration of urbanization, and the differentiation of social classes all had an impact on the social foundation of Buddhism.
Lack of innovationIn the course of the development of Buddhism in India, there was a lack of new ideas and theories to inject and innovate, which was one of the reasons for the decline of Buddhism.
Brain drainDue to the above reasons, many outstanding Buddhists left India to spread and develop Buddhism in other countries and regions, which also led to the loss of Buddhist talents in India.
External pressure: Buddhism in India is also facing influences and challenges from other religions and cultures, such as Islam, Hinduism, etc. These external pressures also posed a certain threat to the survival and development of Buddhism in India.
Over-commercializationSome Buddhist temples and monks in India excessively pursue commercial interests and confuse Buddhist beliefs with commercial activities, a practice that has seriously damaged the image and reputation of Buddhism and also affected the attitude of believers towards Buddhism.
Natural disasters: There have been severe natural disasters in the history of India, such as floods, **, etc., which have also affected the development of Buddhism.
It is important to note that the demise of Buddhism in India was not the result of a single cause, but the result of a combination of factors. In addition, although Buddhism died out in India, it still has a wide influence and spread in other parts of the world such as East Asia, Southeast Asia, etc.