3. Role of Mahayana and Tantrikism
According to Charles Eliot it was to the corruption's of the Mahayana rather than of the Hinayana that the decay of Buddhism in India was due L M Jashi feels that this remark can hardly be regarded to be without some substance in it. For, the growth and popularity of Mahayanism rustled not only in the increase of the votaries of the religion but also in a corresponding qualitative decay. The great vehicle laid emphasis on the image worship prayers and incantations, pompous ceremonies and rituals it incorporated many folk beliefs and made room for the emotional demands of the laity and in doing so, the Buddhists made a near clear approach to Hinduism.