The Gods and the Heretics by Giovanni Verardi ISBN 9788193462164, 8193462165 instant download

The Gods and the Heretics by Giovanni Verardi ISBN 9788193462164, 8193462165 instant download

In The Gods and the Heretics, Giovanni Verardi presents a compelling reexamination of the decline of Buddhism in India. He argues that its downfall was not solely due to Islamic invasions, as commonly believed, but stemmed from a much earlier and prolonged conflict with Brahmanical orthodoxy. Buddhism challenged the caste-based social order and agrarian hierarchies promoted by Brahmanism, leading to its systematic marginalization and suppression. Verardi draws on archaeological and iconographic evidence to support his thesis, revealing patterns of destruction and erasure of Buddhist institutions. He also examines the emergence of Vajrayana Buddhism as a response to persecution, adopting esoteric practices to survive. The book offers a nuanced and critical perspective on the socio-political forces that led to Buddhism's decline in its homeland.