Beyond The Boundaries: Understanding Buddhist Development From Orient To Occident With Reference To Italy And Dante

ABSTRACT

On the viewpoint of topographical location Orient and Occident are two sides of the globe. Socially, culturally, linguistically, traditionally, politically, philosophically and psychologically both are two entirely different entities. Rudyard Kipling wrote the poem titled 'The Ballad of East and West' in which he said “Oh, East is East, and West is West, and never the twain shall meet” (Jouhki, 2006, p 01). However, when the matter of meditation, religion, spirituality, devotion, high spirits, deep feelings and beliefs etc. arises it is observable that Occident tends to go in line with Orient. But unfortunately due to false beliefs both eastern and western scholars took no importance of East on the West and it has been made to notice that only Orient has learnt from the Occident. Kipling expressed further “But there is neither East nor West, Border, nor Breed, nor Birth,When two strong men stand face to face, tho' they come from the ends of the earth!” (Jouhki, 2006, p 15). The present paper tries to explore the influence of Orient to Occident especially in the frame of the reference of Buddhism .