Exploring Buddhism in Tagore’s Plays: A literary analysis of sacrifice and Chandalika

Rabindranath Tagore, a towering figure in Indian literature and philosophy, deeply engaged with spiritual traditions including Hinduism, Vaishnavism, and Buddhism. Among his dramatic works, Sacrifice and Chandalika stand out for their explicit Buddhist themes. This paper offers a detailed literary analysis of these two plays to examine how Tagore interprets and dramatizes Buddhist philosophy, particularly compassion, non-violence, the rejection of caste discrimination, and the inner transformation of individuals. Employing a thematic and comparative lens, this study explores the tension between spiritual ideals and social realities in colonial and post-colonial India. The analysis also positions Tagore's literary Buddhism as a vehicle of social reform, arguing that his plays promote egalitarian and humanistic values inspired by Buddhist doctrine. Drawing on primary texts and secondary scholarly criticism, this paper contributes to Tagore studies and the broader discourse on the intersection of religion, literature, and social ethics.