When Did Buddha Begin His Teachings and Why Was He Not a Founder of a New Religion?

Traditional accounts held that Buddha, the founder of Buddhism, was around 35 years old when he first started his teachings. However, this narrative misrepresents the true nature of Buddha's role and his contributions. To better understand Buddha's journey and his teachings, we need to look beyond literary accounts and delve into the historical context and philosophical aspects of his work.

The Role of a Spiritual Leader in Ancient India

Buddha did not start a new religion in the sense that it was completely novel or separate from existing traditions. Rather, he taught as part of the broader Indian religious and philosophical landscape. He strived to reform and revitalize what he perceived as the true Dhamma, which many consider to be the essence of his teachings.

Finding Truth and Revitalizing Dhamma

Buddha spent 45 years as a spiritual wanderer and teacher. His primary role was to guide and mentor followers, revitalize the true Dhamma, and address various societal and spiritual issues of his time. He was viewed as a purveyor of the long-lost Dhamma, not a political or religious contender.

Some accounts, like that of Fredrick Spiegelberg in Living Religions of the World, offer parables of how religious beliefs evolve over time. The idea of a man starting a religion solely based on his existing atheistic beliefs is counterintuitive to the spirit of Buddha’s teachings.

The Absorption into Existing Philosophies

The vast majority of teachings from the period in which Buddha lived were eventually absorbed into what we now know as Hinduism. However, two key traditions, eventually known as Buddhism and Jainism, developed into distinct religions, not due to radical differences in their doctrines, but because of their successful maintenance of monastic structures and unique scriptures.

The Historical Context

Buddha's enlightenment is generally believed to have occurred around the age of 30, though specific dates are often symbolic or chronological.[1][2] This age estimate is based on the combination of his ascetic period and his departure from home, both of which are details that may hold symbolic significance.[3]

The idea of Buddha starting a religion from the get-go is a misconception. He was simply a part of the existing religious and philosophical milieu, contributing to it with his own unique and coherent teachings. His life and teachings were about finding and attaining true understanding and enlightenment, and not about founding a completely new religious system.

His Teachings and Monastic Structure

Buddha's teachings were a synthesis of various ideas from the Samkhya and Vedanta traditions. His focus on monastic life and community was also a common practice in ancient India, and many similar practices were found among other religious teachers of the time.[4]

The Separation into Separate Religions

The separation of Buddhism and Jainism into distinct religions took centuries to develop, as both traditions maintained their own monastic structures and scriptural texts, distinguishing them from the broader Hindu tradition.[5]

Conclusion

When we re-examine Buddha's life and teachings in the context of ancient India, we see that he was not a founder of a new religion in the conventional sense. Instead, he played a crucial role in revitalizing and spreading the teachings of Dhamma. Understanding his role as a spiritual leader within the broader religious landscape of his time provides a more accurate and enriching perspective on the development of Buddhism.

References

[1] Buddhism: An Introduction by Richard Gombrich

[2] Living Religions of the World by Fredrick Spiegelberg

[3] A Concise History of Buddhism by Christmas Humphreys

[4] The Religion of the Belle Days by Bimal K. Matilal

[5] Buddhism in India: Origins and Formative Stages by Richard Gombrich