#ReligiousHistory

Before the rise of Buddhism in ancient India during the 6th century BCE, the Indian subcontinent was a cradle for diverse and influential belief systems that profoundly shaped the later development of both Buddhism and other religious philosophies. Understanding these ancient beliefs not only offers important context for the emergence of Buddhism, but also provides insight into the spiritual and societal values that continue to impact Thai culture today.

In the period preceding Buddhism, society in ancient India was deeply rooted in animistic and polytheistic practices that revolved around the reverence of nature, ancestral spirits, and a pantheon of deities both malevolent and benevolent. Evidence suggests that the beliefs of the Indus Valley Civilization (circa 2600–1900 BCE) included forms of animism and fertility worship, but it was the Aryan migration into northern India that introduced and elaborated upon Vedic traditions—the spiritual backbone of pre-Buddhist Indian society (kasmonblog.wordpress.com).

The Indian subcontinent, known in Buddhist cosmology as Jambudvipa (ชมพูทวีป), holds an influential role as the birthplace of several of the world’s most prominent religions, including Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism. For centuries, this region has been not only a land of diverse peoples and ancient civilizations but also the fertile ground where profound spiritual philosophies and ritual traditions emerged. Reflecting on the characteristics of religion in Jambudvipa is essential for understanding the origins and evolution of Buddhism, especially for Thai readers whose spiritual heritage has deep connections to this mystical land.