Yes. Historians believe that Buddhism was the first major schism in Hindu philosophy. (Buddhism subscribes to a different karmic philosophy than Hinduism, and a

Yes. Historians believe that Buddhism was the first major schism in Hindu philosophy. (Buddhism subscribes to a different karmic philosophy than Hinduism, and as such totally eschews the Hindu caste system). When Buddhism flourished in India, most of the lower caste Hindus converted to Buddhistm because it allowed them social mobility that was previously prohibited to them. Many entered into trades and professions that were earlier barred to them because of the rigidity of the Hindu caste system. Once the Hindu kings regained dominance, Buddhism started to decline in India due to lack of political patronage and persecution. Castiesm again became pervasive in India. This lead to many Buddhists converting voluntarily to Islam because Islam, like Buddhism, strongly prescribes equality irrespective of the ethnicity or previous of the convert. This allowed the former "untouchables" to retain their social mobility. This is why India, where Buddhism once flourished and was a source from where it spread to the world, has so little followers now.