Phase 2: Buddhist Impact

Buddha’s ideas influenced Hinduism most though before him Jainism too had had a significant impact on Hindus. It attacked the caste system, magical practices, animal sacrifice, human trafficking and several inhuman practices. Buddhism preached that anybody and everybody can achieve the ultimate goal of enlightenment without the help of intermediaries or priests. It stressed universal love and compassion but did not put a forceful opposition to prevailing social institutions. It did not develop new social institutions, rituals and celebrations either. One can say that the Buddha’s ideas produced a new egalitarian thought in India but since Buddha did not develop any alternative forms of social organization, his ideas could not have change the basic social organization of Hindus.