Reaction to the Buddhism statement

“The core beliefs preached by the historic Buddha and recorded by his followers into sutras and other scriptures were, in part, a reaction to the Vedic beliefs and rituals dominant in South Asia. Buddhism changed over time as it spread throughout Asia, first through the support of the Mauryan Emperor Asoka, and then through the efforts of missionaries and merchants and the establishment of educational institutions to promote its core teachings.” 

The statement is made up of two major ideas, both of which I agree with.

First, Buddhism originated from a set of reactions to the Vedic beliefs. 

The Vedic religions were initially put forth and advertised by the priests and scholars in the varna system, and served, to some extent, as a political tool that taught the lower classes to accept the existing social status and lead an obedient life. A group of people eventually started to break free from this determined fate promoted by the Vedic beliefs, and sought a new stream of thoughts that eulogised personal control of his or her own life. One of Buddha's central teachings is definitely associated with this reaction to the Vedic religions. As shown by the quote below, in promoting self-reliance, Buddha refrained from setting himself as the leader of Buddhism, and led towards atheism.

'You are your own master. Future, everything depends on your own shoulder.' Buddha’s responsibility is just to show the path, that’s all"



Second, Buddhism was spread by Buddhas' followers, evolving throughout time and space. 

Buddha incubated his teachings into the minds of his followers, and, before dying, told the disciples to "be their own lights," thus encouraging the free interpretations of his philosophy as long as they are centered on his core teachings. Buddha's atheism was deserted by one school of his followers, the Mahayanans, because he himself was celebrated as the godlike figure of Buddhism, although another group, the Theravadas, adhered to his original teachings and refused to create a god. At some places, monasteries were constructed and a hierarchy of monks and nuns came into being.