Buddhism has left a permanent mark on the culture of India. Its influence is visible on all sides. The Hindu faith has absorbed the best of its ethics. A new respect for life, kindness to animals, a sense of responsibility and an endeavour after higher life are brought home to the Indian mind with a renewed force. Even the Brahmanical systems, as a result of Buddhist influence, removed those parts of their religion which were irreconcilable with humanity and reason. The impact of Buddhism was so strong in the Indian sub-continent that even the greatest epic Mahabharata had echoed the fine side of Buddhism.
Human existence is an evil and mukti is freedom from being. Later systems of thought accept it. Nyaya counted birth or janma and activity or pravritti among evils. Both good and evil are undesirable since they involve rebirth. Human beings return to the world to enjoy the reward or undergo the punishment. To be born is simply to die. To be happy is not to be born. The revolt of spirit against matter has dominated the history of Indian thought since the time of Lord Buddha. All thinkers subsequent to him have lived in the shadow of the great renunciation. The end of life is symbolised by the robe of the sannyasin.
Indian thought was forced to reckon with the reflections of Buddhism on the instability of life and the doctrine of relativity. Some of Buddha`s misunderstandings and some of his deeper insights have affected the course of subsequent thought. The best things of the world die before they are re-born, and even so has Buddhism perished in India, to be born again in a refined Brahmanism. Buddha today lives in the lives of those Indians who have not given up their past traditions.
Lord Buddha`s presence is felt all around. Throughout the country he is worshipped as a god, he has a place in the mythology which is still alive, and so long as the old faith remains without crumbling down before the corrosive influence of the new spirit, Buddha will have a place among the gods of India. His life and teaching will compel the reverence of mankind, give ease to many troubled minds, gladden many simple hearts, and answer many innocent prayers.
Hence it can be concluded saying that the principles of Buddhism has played an important role in the shaping of Indian Philosophy and thought processes and Buddhist philosophy is a precious gem within the vast realm of Indian Philosophy.
