• BuddhismBuddhism was founded by Siddhartha Gautama. At an early age Siddhartha attained enlightment while meditating under a Pipal tree, also known as Bodhi Tree. Gautama, from then on, was known as "The Perfectly Self-Awakened One," the Samyasambuddha.
Gautama received great support from the ruler of Magadha, Bimbasara, who not only was extremely convinced on Gautam’s beliefs but also allowed him to establish many Buddhist "Viharas”. The Wheel of Dharma was set in motion when Buddha delivered sermons to a group of five champions, who worked on the path to enlightment along with Buddha.
They, together with the Buddha, formed the first Sangha, the company of Buddhist monks, and hence, the first formation of Triple Gem (Buddha, Dharma and Sangha) was completed. The ruler of Mauryan Empire, Ashoka converted himself to Buddhism, especially after the Battle of Kalinga. He as any other Buddhist Devotee was committed towards spreading and preserving the religion of Buddhism.
Later, the ruler of Kushan Empire, Kanishka also called Gandhara encouraged and spread Buddhism. In Gandhara Mahayana Buddhism flourished and Buddha was represented in human form.
When Buddha died, he left no successor, and his teachings were only in oral traditions. However, the Sangha established by Buddha held a number of Buddhist Councils in order to reach consensus on various matters related to Buddhist Doctrine and practices.
The first four Buddhist councils were held at Rajgir, Vaishali, Patliputra, Jalandhar. The Mahayana branch of Buddhism popularized the concept of a Bodhisattva (literally enlightened being or "a Buddha-to-be") and the worship of the bodhisattvas. Vajrayana, a form of Indian Buddhism that emerged in the 4th century AD later became widespread in Tibet, and Japan.
As various evidences suggests the spread of Buddhism from India to other parts of the World, was mainly through various Trade relations. Over the years the reach of Buddhism in India secluded in the north Eastern areas of India, with Kathmandu being the centre of Buddhism. Today, in the urban centers of Kathmandu valley, we still find Indian Mahayana Buddhism, modified through mixing with Vajrayana, practiced by the local Buddhist Newar population.
After the decline of last dynasty supporting Buddhism, the Pala kingdom, around 12th Centuary, Buddhism began to decline in its reach in India. Buddhism further weakened when various Muslim conquerors tried to destroy monasteries and spread the influence of Islam.
However, revival of Buddhism began in India in 1891, when the Sri Lankan Buddhist leader Anagarika Dharmapala founded the Maha Bodhi Society. Its activities expanded to involve the promotion of Buddhism in India. In June 1892, a meeting of Buddhists took place at Darjeeling. Dharmapala spoke to Tibetan Buddhists and presented a relic of the Buddha to be sent to the Dalai Lama.
• SikhismSikhism is comparatively a new and fresh religion to India. It was established by Guru Nanak Dev. Nanak was always interested in traveling and preaching Humanity. As in India, anyone who teaches is called a Guru, the followers of Nanak, soon were called Sikhs (a student). During the formative years the followers of Sikhism tried to abolish some of the practices like Sati, Caste System etc from India.
In Sikhism everyone has equal rights irrespective of caste, creed, color, race, sex or religion. Sikhism rejects pilgrimage, fasting, superstitions and other such rituals. Sikhism does not have a clergy class as it considers this as a gateway to corruption. However, they have readers and singers in their temples.
During the term of Guru Gobind as the Sikh Guru, the reign of Punjab was in the hands of Mughals. Some of the Mughal rulers like Aurengzeb, tries to convert non-Muslims to Muslims. In order to stop all these persecutions, Guru Gobind changed his and his followers surname to Singh meaning Lion. He wanted the community to be that of fighters who could fight for their rights.
During that time, many Rajputs also had the surname of Singh. In order to make it easier for his followers to recognize each other, Guru Gobind Singh, chose five marks, some of which even today symbolize the Sikhs. The five signs were uncut hair Kesh; bracelet on the right hand wrist Kara; comb Kanga, shorts Kacha and sword or dagger Kirpan. Sikh community since then has been a strong and tough communit. Right from military services, to driving in night to service for men all deeds has been followed by them with great enthusiasm.
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