a multitude of worlds, and the bod-hisattvas with him became filled
with compassion for all beings.
Other important sutras are (a) the Sukhavativyuha, dealing with the
subject of salvation through faith in Amitabha; (b) the Vajrachhedika or the
Diamond Sutra, which expounds the doctrine of sunyata and clarifies several
other concepts central to Mahayana, (c) the Mahapari-nirvana, delivered by
Buddha just as he was about to enter nirvana, (d) the Lankavatara (400 AD),
supposedly written by Vasubandhu, teaches the ultimate reality of Mind
alone; and (e) the Surangama outlines the means of attaining enlightenment
by concentration, meditation, and super conscious intuition. The surangama
is written partly in the form of a dialogue between Buddha and the errant
Ananda who had been lured by the harlot Chitta.
Causes for the Popularity of Buddhism
• Non-indulgence in metaphysical discussions and its original
simplicity appealed to the masses.
• It did not attach any importance to the existing varna system and
hence appealed to the lower classes.
• Admission of women to the Sangha also swelled its ranks (Gautami,
the widowed step-mother of Buddha, was the first Buddhist nun).
• The use of Pali, the language of the people, in the early phase helped
it further.
• Its adoption by the monarchies of Magadha, Kosala, Kausambi and
several republican states in the initial period, and by Asoka, the Indo-
Greeks, Kushanas, Harsha and Palas in the later period.
Causes for the Decline of Buddhism
• Reform of Brahmanism and the rise of Bhagavatism.
• Giving up the use of Pali and taking up the use of Sanskrit by the
Buddhists from the first century AD.
• Practising idol-worship and receiving offerings and huge donations,
leading to deterioration in moral standards.
• Attacks by the Hunas (fifth and sixth centuries AD) and Turkish
invaders (12th century AD ).