The changing features of social and economic life such as the growth of towns, expansion of the artisan class and the rapid development of trade and commerce in the 6th BC were closely linked with changes in the religious field. It was a period of religious upheaval not only in the history of India but also in the rest of the world. In India various sects and reformers came into existence. They protested against the existing social and religious evils and attempted to reconstruct a new socio-religious order. As a result there arose a conflict between the established orthodoxy and the aspirations of newly rising groups in the urban centres.
These sects were regarded with scorn and Brahmans were particularly harsh towards them. Of all these sects two such came to stay were Jainism and Buddhism which later became independent religions.
Buddhism is a world known religion. With time it grew in and around the ancient Kingdom of Magadha which is now known as Bihar, India. A certain form of Buddhism, VajrayÄna, that emerged later became widespread in Tibet, Nepal and Japan. With the decline of Buddhism in India many believers traveled to other locations to visit known and significant temples and shrines. The 8 hour flight from India to Osaka, Japan is one of many trips taken to visit these significant temples and shrines, such as the first Buddhist Temple in Japan called the Shitennoji Temple.
Read more by visiting our page regarding Buddhism.