So Buddhism is a fun dynamic religion, however just how dynamic it was during this time period is not really represented IG. So here are some of my thoughts on how to improve Buddhism.
Buddhist Syncretism and Syncretic Deities
Currently Buddhism does not allow you to worship other religion's deities. My problem with this is that is very much incorrect in terms of actual practice. While yes Buddhism is a Transtheistic religion, this did not stop people from worshiping Gods and Goddesses. Ashoka after all called himself beloved of the gods after all. More over there was historical syncretism most famously with Hellenism and Buddhism, with the most famous syncretism being that Herakles helped to defend the Buddha. While the Buddhist Indo-Greeks had numerous coins of the Hellenic deities on them. Notably Menander in addition to being a devout Buddhist, per sources like the Milinda Panha, was a strong devotee to the Goddess Athena, which can be noticed by the fact that his coins included Athena on them and was the first to introduce the epithet of Athena Alkidemos(Athena defender of the people) on them in his kingdom. It should be noted that Athena Alkidemos was one of the epithets she was known by in Pella.
Let me be like Meander and have Athena Alikdemos and also be a Buddhist, let me have some unique syncretic deities like Herakles as the Guardian of the Buddha. What would be fun is if Buddhism spreads westwards and have some other syncretic deities. Moreover their should also be syncretic events and other flavor to reflect Hellenic-Buddhism, such as new art styles depicting the Buddha in the greek style, or perhaps Celtic or Egyptian if it comes to those cultures?
what I also would like though is some syncretism for the Hellenic side, where Buddhist ideas like Monasticism, Meditation and mantras start being reflected within Hellenic worship. This could be tied to Hellenic Philosophy as well, as Pythagoreans, Cynics, and Stoics seem like the type to pick up on Monasticism and Meditation, Mantras to deities could be something similar to come about. Now obviously this is a bit of a what if scenario, as Buddhism didn't really spread westward, however it is something I think that would be neat to show that cultural diffusion isn't always one way. As well as conflict with other philosophical schools.
Early Buddhist Schools
Buddhism during this era was not yet set in its ways, and their were numerous philosophical schools of Buddhism. There were a number of early schools of Buddhism, roughly 18 or 20 depending on which sources that you follow. Schools like the Pudgalavada, Vibhajyavāda, Sarvastivada, Caitika, Kukkuṭika, and Ekavyāvahārika just to name some of the early Buddhist schools.
In our timeline only Theravada remains of these original schools descending from the Vibhajyavada tradition IIRC. However because of how young and dynamic the religion is during Imperator's time other fates should be possible. Perhaps the other schools survive in addition to Theravada, perhaps one becomes far more influential during the third Buddhist council or through the course of play?
Representing the diversity and dynamic nature of these schools as some were sub schools of others and the evolution of Buddhism, should be something to experience when playing as a Buddhist ruler. So a number of flavor events, and maybe a trait or some other mechanic to reflect these internal debates.
The Buddhist Sangha
To become part of the Buddhist sangha meant ordination as a Bhikkhu(monk) or Bhikkhuni(nun), it also meant not being in the line of succession IIRC. I would include a trait for monks and nuns to reflect characters who are part of the sangha; said trait could be adapted for other monks and nuns. I am not sure if at this time the custom of head shaving was firmly established by tradition or not, still including it would be nice and a visual clue as to who is a monk or nun.
So you might get requests from zealous or devoted sons and daughters to take the vows and join the Sangha, which can help keep them happy and on your side, but at the same time do you really want your level great heir to become a monk or do you want to keep him as an heir at the cost of angering him and the sangha. Also you could do like Menander supposedly did and have your ruler abdicate his/her throne in exchange for living the rest of his days as a monk. The actual mechanical effects can play around with loyalty, prominence, omen power, happiness, stability, political influence, etc. numbers adjusted for balance of course.
The Third Buddhist Council
Right now there is an event chain but it seems rather small, it also doesn't account I believe for the possibility of other Buddhist Nations, nor is it a major event for the others, like other nations. So my thoughts are as followed:
a Buddhist major or great power nation can call the Council. Other Buddhist nations can attend and send representative there, non-Buddhist nations meeting certain requirements* might have an event about sending a representative. This could help steer towards which school to prefer if any, the focus of the council, and so on, this way to make it a more interesting event and one with slightly different outcomes.
*For example if you have a lot of Buddhists(10 to 20% non-slaves are buddhists), or one of your government officials or the consort is Buddhist.
So perhaps one game the focus is on compiling the Buddha's teachings and sayings and writing down the Pāli Canon? While another follows the more historical path of focusing on purity and sending out the missionaries?
Buddhist Missionaries
It should be possible to send out Missionaries, there is an event part of the third council, but it isn't as dramatic as the actual missionaries of history. Ashoka sent his son Mahinda and his daughter Sanghamitta. So it should involve sending actual Buddhist characters and how they are recieved would depend on history and traits.
Thoughts? If others have suggestions for improving Buddhism of their own, feel free to add them.
Buddhist Syncretism and Syncretic Deities
Currently Buddhism does not allow you to worship other religion's deities. My problem with this is that is very much incorrect in terms of actual practice. While yes Buddhism is a Transtheistic religion, this did not stop people from worshiping Gods and Goddesses. Ashoka after all called himself beloved of the gods after all. More over there was historical syncretism most famously with Hellenism and Buddhism, with the most famous syncretism being that Herakles helped to defend the Buddha. While the Buddhist Indo-Greeks had numerous coins of the Hellenic deities on them. Notably Menander in addition to being a devout Buddhist, per sources like the Milinda Panha, was a strong devotee to the Goddess Athena, which can be noticed by the fact that his coins included Athena on them and was the first to introduce the epithet of Athena Alkidemos(Athena defender of the people) on them in his kingdom. It should be noted that Athena Alkidemos was one of the epithets she was known by in Pella.
Let me be like Meander and have Athena Alikdemos and also be a Buddhist, let me have some unique syncretic deities like Herakles as the Guardian of the Buddha. What would be fun is if Buddhism spreads westwards and have some other syncretic deities. Moreover their should also be syncretic events and other flavor to reflect Hellenic-Buddhism, such as new art styles depicting the Buddha in the greek style, or perhaps Celtic or Egyptian if it comes to those cultures?
what I also would like though is some syncretism for the Hellenic side, where Buddhist ideas like Monasticism, Meditation and mantras start being reflected within Hellenic worship. This could be tied to Hellenic Philosophy as well, as Pythagoreans, Cynics, and Stoics seem like the type to pick up on Monasticism and Meditation, Mantras to deities could be something similar to come about. Now obviously this is a bit of a what if scenario, as Buddhism didn't really spread westward, however it is something I think that would be neat to show that cultural diffusion isn't always one way. As well as conflict with other philosophical schools.
Early Buddhist Schools
Buddhism during this era was not yet set in its ways, and their were numerous philosophical schools of Buddhism. There were a number of early schools of Buddhism, roughly 18 or 20 depending on which sources that you follow. Schools like the Pudgalavada, Vibhajyavāda, Sarvastivada, Caitika, Kukkuṭika, and Ekavyāvahārika just to name some of the early Buddhist schools.
In our timeline only Theravada remains of these original schools descending from the Vibhajyavada tradition IIRC. However because of how young and dynamic the religion is during Imperator's time other fates should be possible. Perhaps the other schools survive in addition to Theravada, perhaps one becomes far more influential during the third Buddhist council or through the course of play?
Representing the diversity and dynamic nature of these schools as some were sub schools of others and the evolution of Buddhism, should be something to experience when playing as a Buddhist ruler. So a number of flavor events, and maybe a trait or some other mechanic to reflect these internal debates.
The Buddhist Sangha
To become part of the Buddhist sangha meant ordination as a Bhikkhu(monk) or Bhikkhuni(nun), it also meant not being in the line of succession IIRC. I would include a trait for monks and nuns to reflect characters who are part of the sangha; said trait could be adapted for other monks and nuns. I am not sure if at this time the custom of head shaving was firmly established by tradition or not, still including it would be nice and a visual clue as to who is a monk or nun.
So you might get requests from zealous or devoted sons and daughters to take the vows and join the Sangha, which can help keep them happy and on your side, but at the same time do you really want your level great heir to become a monk or do you want to keep him as an heir at the cost of angering him and the sangha. Also you could do like Menander supposedly did and have your ruler abdicate his/her throne in exchange for living the rest of his days as a monk. The actual mechanical effects can play around with loyalty, prominence, omen power, happiness, stability, political influence, etc. numbers adjusted for balance of course.
The Third Buddhist Council
Right now there is an event chain but it seems rather small, it also doesn't account I believe for the possibility of other Buddhist Nations, nor is it a major event for the others, like other nations. So my thoughts are as followed:
a Buddhist major or great power nation can call the Council. Other Buddhist nations can attend and send representative there, non-Buddhist nations meeting certain requirements* might have an event about sending a representative. This could help steer towards which school to prefer if any, the focus of the council, and so on, this way to make it a more interesting event and one with slightly different outcomes.
*For example if you have a lot of Buddhists(10 to 20% non-slaves are buddhists), or one of your government officials or the consort is Buddhist.
So perhaps one game the focus is on compiling the Buddha's teachings and sayings and writing down the Pāli Canon? While another follows the more historical path of focusing on purity and sending out the missionaries?
Buddhist Missionaries
It should be possible to send out Missionaries, there is an event part of the third council, but it isn't as dramatic as the actual missionaries of history. Ashoka sent his son Mahinda and his daughter Sanghamitta. So it should involve sending actual Buddhist characters and how they are recieved would depend on history and traits.
Thoughts? If others have suggestions for improving Buddhism of their own, feel free to add them.
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