Who is responsible for the disappearane of the Buddha-sāsana? A critical study with reference to Theravāda Buddhism

Abstract

Theravāda discourses express a concern for the decline and disappearance of Buddhism. Originally, the Mahāpajāpati-gotamī Sutta assures that the admission of women into the monastic order promotes the decline and disappearance of the Buddha-Sāsana while the Saddhammasammosa Suttas confirms that monks are responsible for this problem. On the other hand, there are three Suttas by the name Kimbila which noticeably indicate that one person or one group alone should not be blamed for this misfortune. The Saddhammapaṭirūpaka Sutta further claims that even the four elements other than the fourfold assemblies within Buddhism cannot bring about the demise of the Buddha-Sāsana. Additionally, several Suttas and scholarly works reveal that there are various internal and external causes contributing towards the decline and disappearance of the Buddha-Sāsana. They can be summarized into the following categories according to their same groups. (1) carelessness in the transmission of the teachings, (2) the emergence of counterfeit Dhamma, (3) lack of diligence in meditation practice, (4) lack of respect toward various elements of the Buddhist tradition, (5) the emergence of divisions within the Saṅgha, (6) excessive association of the Saṅgha with secular society, (7) admission of women into the monastic community, (8) overregulation of the Saṅgha by the State, (9) oppression of non-Buddhists and (10) impact of social calamities. In this paper, the following research questions are adequately addressed. “Who is responsible for the decline and disappearance of the Buddha-Sāsana? Can Buddhist monks be alone blamed for this problem? Are the nuns and the laity responsible? What about the people outside of Buddhism? This research applies the qualitative method and textual analysis. In this study, Pāli Texts and its Commentaries as primary sources and books, monographs and scholarly works as secondary sources were utilized in order to collect data and information. The findings in this research suggest that the fourfold assembly of disciples can directly give rise to the decline and disappearance of the Buddha- Sāsana, and the followers of other faiths as well as natural catastrophes like wars, conflicts, famine, flood, earthquakes and so on can indirectly and secondarily lead the Sāsana to its decay and withdrawal.