The Positive Background of Hindu Sociology c10.s1.7

c10.s1.7

Vedic literature introduces us to the atmosphere of sacrifice and ritual, of gods and hymns. In the Buddhist literature this atmosphere is virtually absent except by way of criticism, folklore, sarcasm, etc. If sacrifices, rituals, gods and hymns constitute religion, Buddhist literature, especially as embodied in the Pali texts, i.e., the pre-*Mahāyānic* strands, is a-religious. On the other hand, the *milieu* of this Buddhist literature is chiefly moral, having bearings on the personality, on man *vis-à-vis* society, on duties, on ideals. Thus considered, Buddhist literature furnishes by all means the most appropriate data for secularized indology. Buddhist texts are nothing but documents *par excellence* of positivism. No other source can be more valuable than these Pali treatises in an investigation into the positive background of Hindu sociology.