Why is Buddhism is less popular in India

There are several reasons why Buddhism is less popular in India, despite having originated there. 

1. Revival of Hinduism: After the decline ofBuddhism in India in the 12th century, Hinduism experienced a revival under the Gupta Empire. This led to a cultural renaissance of Hinduism and a consequent decline in Buddhism.

2. Cultural and linguistic barriers: Buddhism wasthe Mauryan Empire, Hinduism experienced a revival under the Gupta Empire. This led to a decline in Buddhism's popularity as it was viewed as a rival religion. Hinduism became the dominant religion of India, and Buddhism faced significant opposition from it.

2. Islamic Conquest: In the 7th century, Islamic conquests began in India, which led to the destruction of many Buddhist monasteries and temples. Many Buddhists were forced to convert to Islam, and this significantly impacted Buddhism's popularity in India.

3. Buddhist Scriptures Written in Pali: The Buddhist scriptures were written in Pali, a language that was not native to India. This factor created a linguistic and cultural barrier that made Buddhism less accessible to the common people.

4. Buddhist Philosophy vs. Hinduism: Buddhism and Hinduism differ significantly in their philosophical beliefs. For instance, Buddhism rejects the concept of the soul and considers everything to be impermanent, whereas Hinduism believes in the existence of an individual soul that is permanent. This distinction created a challenge for Buddhists to convert Hindus.

5. Modernization: In the modern era, India has experienced significant social and economic changes, leading to a rise in materialism. Buddhism's emphasis on non-attachment and minimalism did not seem aligned with the aspirations of the contemporary Indian population.

Overall, these factors contributed to the decline of Buddhism's popularity in India over the centuries. While it remains an important religion elsewhere in the world, Buddhists make up less than 1% of India's population.