Buddhism - the Folk traditions

The Ancient folk Tradition in the sixth century came before the Vedic age, it was not influenced by the religion of the Brahmins. The ordinary people, Kshatriyas who followed the folk tradition had their own beliefs and practices, many of which were very ancient and pre-Aryan. These included beliefs about spirits, devils, omens, spells and divination. Some of these teachings were noted in the scriptures ‘Upanishads’. It is also believed that the Ordinary people focused on the god Brahma, not as one of many gods but as the creator god.

Groups of Kshatriyas decided to set out alone into the mountains and turned their backs against the world. In the Mountains they exercised yoga and mediation which lead them to experience different stages of spirituality which then became known as the ‘Brahman’ which would prove they had experienced the Absolute Reality. The Buddha was critical of many folk ideas, and beliefs. Although he did not reject them all together, but he made them less important. Buddha also believed that Brahma existed but not as important as the Kshatriyas thought he was. The Buddha also believed that the ‘Upanishads’ had lost their meaning.

Spells and charms are forbidden to the monks but over looked in lay people, and the practice of making offerings to the spirits of the dead (pretas, one of the forms a person can be reborn as) is continued but reinterpreted into Buddhism. From the beginning of Buddhism to present times, it has happily coexisted with folk beliefs as can be seen in Buddhist countries today. However people must realize that Buddhism is the most important. Generally Buddhism is tolerant of such harmless practices.