It is often commented that a sense of pessimism pervades the teachings of Buddhism. Hence it directly or indirectly made its followers to reject the material world and its prosperity and to become more and more otherworldly in their attitude. We should remember that the Buddha was not an escapist. Though born in a royal family in the midst of material prosperity, he became an ascetic to end the miseries and evil of human life and not out of dejection and despair. But unfortunately, the effect of his teachings on people was found to be disastrous. His followers came to exaggerate the short comings of the world and even kings and emperors began to think of the "other world". The sudden contempt which the emperor like Ashoka and Sri Harsha developed soon after they embraced Budhhism, towards political glory and material prosperity, had disastrous effect on later history. Thus India fell an easy prey to foreign barbarians who desecrated the holy land. Even other religions of India also came under the pessimistic influence of Buddhism. Thus, the misinterpretations of Buddhist teachings and the undue importance laid on non-violence and spirituality led to a kind of political degeneration and servitude.
Did Buddhism and the Buddha's Teaching Result in Pessimism in the Ancient India?
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