There were 14 factors that contributed to the decline of Buddhism in India, which can be categorized as internal or external factors. Some internal factors included corruptions in Buddhist monasteries/monks as they adopted more luxurious lifestyles and engaged in business, as well as divisions within Buddhism into different sects. External factors included the reform and patronage of Hinduism by rulers, invasions by groups like the Huns and Muslims that destroyed Buddhist sites, and the use of Sanskrit instead of local languages. Over time, Buddhism lost its original message and declined in the land of its birth in India.

1. DECLINE OF BUDDHISM IN INDIA (Total 14 factors)
There are two categories: • Internal factors • External factors
Internal factors- 06 Reasons External factors-08 Reasons
Corruptions in Buddhist Sanghas: luxurious life style and
enjoyment, receiving and savingvaluablegifts likegold and
silver made them greedy and materialistic, life of
indiscipline. No more the people were inclined towards
Buddhism. Intoxicated with alcoholic drinks, uncontrolled
in eating, and possessed wives,sons and daughters without
shame. Moreover, Buddhist viharas began to do business
and monks became industrialists.
Reform in Hinduism: Hinduism started to re-organize itself. To
give up the complex system of rites and rituals and make
Hinduism simple and attractive.
Moral degeneration of Buddhist monks and nuns: The
examples are from Chinese travelers Yuan Chwang and I-
tsing, Kashmiri historian Kalhana, Kalidasa’s
Mälvikägnimitra, Bhavabhuti’s Mälati Mädhava, Shudrak’s
Mrichhakatika, Dandin’s Dashakumära-Charita,
Mahenravarman’s Matta-viläsa-prahsana and
Bhagavadajjukam and other anonymous writings such as
Chaturbhäni and Räshtrapäla-Pariprichha-Sutra.
Inclusivist nature of Hinduism: Buddha as a Hindu incarnation
and accepted the principle of non-violence.
Division among the Buddhists: like ‘Hinayana’,
‘Mahayana’,‘Vajrayana’,‘Tantrayana’and ‘Sahajayana’ led
Buddhism to lose its originality. Influence of tantricism
made people hate it. The simplicity of Buddhism was lost
and it was becoming complex.
Patronage of Brahmanism: Pushyamitra Sunga (Asvamedha
sacrifice), Kanva, Satvahana.
Use of Sanskrit Language: Common language Pali and
Prakrit, replaced in the Fourth Buddhist Council during the
reign period of Kaniska. Sanskrit was a complex language,
hardly understood by common people.
Role of Hindu Preachers & Incompetents scholars in Buddhism:
Kumarila Bhatta- Harsavardhan drove away the Brahmins from
the religious council held at Kanauj. These Brahmins, under
Kumarila Bhatta, fled to the Deccan. Under Bhatta’s leadership,
Brahmanism staged a come-back.
Adi Sankaracharya- Adi Sankaracharya also revived and
strengthened Hinduism. He defeated Buddhist scholars in
religious discourses in many places in course of his tour. Trend
continued by Ramanuja, Nimbarka, Ramananda etc.
Rifts in Buddhist Order: It was started just after the death
of Lord Buddha. Ex.- Buddhist Councils was the result of
different opinions. The earlier examples of Ananda,
Sariputta and Maudgalayana became very rare.
Outer Attacks: Huna Invasion: The ‘Huna’ invasion jolted
Buddhism. Huna leaders like Tormana and Mihirakula opposed
non-violence completely. They killed the Buddhists residing in
the north-western part of India.
Image Worship: By the Mahayana Buddhists. Worship was
a violation of the Buddhist principles of opposing complex
rites and rituals of Brahminical worship. This paradox led
the people to believe that Buddhism is tending towards the
fold of Hinduism.
Muslim Invasion: Their invasions of India becameregular and
repeated from 712 A.D. onwards.Such invasionsforced the
Buddhistmonks to seek asylumin Nepal and Tibet. In the end.
Buddhismdied away in India,the land of its birth. The
destruction of Nalanda in 1197 AD and of Vikramashilain 1203
AD by Muhammad Ghori marks the end of Buddhismin India.
Emergence of Rajputs: Kings of such dynasties as Bundela,
Chahamana, Chauhan, Rathore etc. were militant rulers and
loved warfare. They could not tolerate the Buddhists for their
message of non-violence. The Buddhists feared persecution
from these Rajput rulers and fled from India.
Lose of Royal Patronage: After Asoka, Kaniska and Harsavardhan
only. Royal patronageworks magically for the spread of any faith.
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