Carter Buddhism Response

The basic tenants of Buddhism at its core are certainly a direct reaction to the existing social structure of India at the time that Siddhartha Gautama lived. This is due to the fact that the social structure espoused by the Vedic scripture is heavily dependent on a fixed social hierarchy, with little to no class mobility. Of course, this entire system was bound together by the underlying belief in reincarnation, which kept people content with their lot in life by the simple reassurance that if they performed their societal role faithfully, then they would be born into a better situation in the next life.

So, while this social structure is certainly effective and stable, it is anything but fair, and suffering was ubiquitous for the majority of people. Buddha saw this suffering, and with the revelation that suffering could be alleviated only through the renunciation of worldly desires, proceeded to offer the people of India an escape from suffering inherent in the Vedic social structure. No longer were they trapped in a cycle of reincarnation and bound to their class, but by recognizing the Four Noble Truths, and adhering to the Eightfold Path, they could eventually achieve true enlightenment, and an end to all suffering, in the form of Nirvana. Naturally, some of Buddha's teachings would be distorted slightly after his death, leading to different schools of Buddhism in the form of Theravada Buddhism, which stays more true to the teachings of Buddha himself, and Mahayana Buddhism, which adapted to various regions by introducing Bodhisattvas, or other people that achieved enlightenment. However, due to the simplicity of its tenants, Buddhism has ultimately remained relatively unchanged throughout history. Regardless of when or where it was being taught, the teachings of Buddha have endured.