Introduction

The origins of Buddhism in India are deeply intertwined with the cultural and religious fabric of the region. However, the idea of a Non-Hindu India raises intriguing questions about the evolution of Buddhism. Could Buddhism have flourished in a culture devoid of Hindu influences? This question invites a closer examination of the unique aspects of Buddhism and the role of Hinduism in its formation.

Enlightenment and Predestination in Buddhism

A Samma Sambuddha's enlightenment is considered a rare, almost predetermined event. This is influenced by a cosmic law that predicts the Bodhisattva's parents, spouse, and children, as well as the Bodhi tree under which the enlightenment occurs. According to Buddhist cosmology, these details are predetermined for a particular era. The Samma Sambuddha shares this insight with future generations through the ages, ensuring that the right environment is set for enlightenment and the spread of the saasana (teaching).

For this reason, the Bodhi tree in Bodh Gaya, where Gautama Buddha attained enlightenment, is considered the most sacred site for enlightenment. This means that the environment and conditions necessary for enlightenment were always aligned in central India. Shakyamuni Buddha is therefore said to have been born in central India because it was the most conducive place for the realization of the ultimate truth.

The Link Between Buddhism and Hinduism

The relationship between Buddhism and Hinduism is complex and multifaceted. While there are significant differences, many key concepts and practices in Buddhism can be traced back to Hinduism. As Gautama Buddha was said to have practiced various Hindu spiritual methods, such as asceticism, ritual yoga, and deep samadhi, it is clear that the Hindu tradition significantly influenced his path of enlightenment.

However, Buddhism also diverges from Hinduism by denying the concepts of Atman (soul) and Brahman (the ultimate reality), as well as the existence of deities. If we consider the Buddhist cosmological view that there are countless Buddhas in samsara, dispelling the illusions of samsara, then it is plausible that another Samma Sambuddha would arise in a society without Hindu influence. However, the path to enlightenment and the way in which the Dharma is described would likely be quite different.

Alternative Evolutions of Buddhism

If a Samma Sambuddha were to arise in a world without Hindu influence, the way the Eightfold Path, the Four Noble Truths, and the rest of the Dharma would be described would differ significantly. Concepts like Kamma (action), Budhi (awakening), and the Dharmakaya (Buddha’s enlightened form) would be explained differently to align with the cultural and philosophical context of the society.

Without the concept of Anatta (no-self), which is entirely dependent on accepting the idea of Atman in Hinduism, the path to enlightenment would need a different concept to explain the absence of a persistent self. Similarly, with no concept of Karma, the idea of cause and effect and the responsibility for one's actions would be reinterpreted. The Middle Way, a crucial aspect of the Dharma as taught by Gautama Buddha, may also need a different framework to be equally effective without the influences of Hindu ideas.

Conclusion

The possibility of Buddhism evolving in a Non-Hindu India is both intriguing and possible. However, such an evolution would require significant conceptual changes and reinterpretations to align with the cultural and philosophical context of the society in which it arose. While the core principles of the Dharma would remain, the language and the way in which these principles are explained would differ substantially. The idea of a Samma Sambuddha arising in such a society is within the realm of possibility, but the resulting Dharma would be a reflection of that society's unique cultural and philosophical landscape.