Glimpses Of Buddhist Literature, Philosophy And Thought :panorama Of Buddhist Thought And Culture: 2

Buddha was highly benevolent and merciful. He wanted all suffering-beings to share his experiences and to strive to get freedom from the sufferings of mundane life. For this he wandered from one place to another disseminating his experiences. But he himself did not write anything. His disciples who accompanied him might have noted the details of his teachings. It seems that after his MahÈparinirvȇa, his disciples codified his teachings in the form of Tripitakas. However, the teachings were understood and interpreted differently by different scholars who reflected on the teachings of the Buddha. So, different scholars of Buddhism came into existence. Not only Buddhism branched-off into several sects and sub-sects in India, such divisions took place in every country where Buddhism went. We have thus many sects and sub-sects of Buddhism in Tibet, China, Japan, Korea, Vietnam and other Buddhist countries.

The differences are only in details and the basic Buddhistic principles and practices are common to all the divisions and sub-divisions. It is natural also that no two minds may think alike or express alike. The truth may be the same but descriptions may be many. This apart, there can be alternative approaches from different standpoints and objectives. Thus, Buddhism is varied and multi-hued. This multiplicity has provided richness to Buddhist thought and culture. Though the early history of Buddhism is shrouded in mystery and mythology we have accounts of Buddhism as it originated and developed in India and also outside India.