A Comparative Analysis of Characteristics of Buddhist Civilisation and Buddhist Culture.

Abstract

Buddhist civilisation and Buddhist culture, though interrelated, remain distinct in meaning concerning the impact of Buddhism upon civilisation. Buddhist civilisation refers to the historical, political, and institutional evolution of Buddhism, whereby it has taken part in developing religious life, education, art, and statecraft in geographic areas such as India, China, Japan, and Southeast Asia. While Buddhist culture deals more with practices concerning everyday life, rituals, and ethical values inspired by Buddhist teachings, including meditation and festivals, it is also expressed in literature, music, and the visual arts. This paper provides an attempt to discuss the conceptual framework and historical growth pattern of Buddhist civilisation and culture within various regions. Precisely, the research problem stems from the fact that the distinction between the two aspects is often blurred, hence confusion as far as their distinctive contributions are concerned. The study seeks to bring forth these distinctions and provide an integrated perspective on how both phenomena relate to and shape societies. It is a conceptual research approach-based methodology, drawing on primary sources like the Tripitaka and Mahavamsa, and secondary sources in the form of journals, encyclopedias, and online data. Qualitative analysis has been used to explain and interpret the data. The discussion identifies the clear differences and relationships in this research that exist between Buddhist civilisation and Buddhist culture. While civilisation takes an institutional and structural perspective, culture entails daily practices and moral values that develop based on supporting and influencing one another. Understanding the differences and the relationship existing between Buddhist civilisation and Buddhist culture may contribute to a deeper insight into how Buddhism adapted to and influenced various societies throughout several decades.