Yes and no. That whole "Buddhism lost because of non violence" is BS. Buddhism was basically the belief system of elite Kshatriyas. Non violence doesn't even figure in the 4 tenents of Buddhism, this perception is because of Western hippie culture.
My understanding is that Buddhism is centralised and tied to state power, unlike Hinduism which is decentralized. If the state gets destroyed then Buddhism gets wiped out but Hinduism can survive.
However, the opposite is also true - if the state somehow survives then it's very powerful and can go toe to toe with most foes.
Just look at South East Asia, it's the Hindu kingdoms which converted to Islam. Buddhist states like Thailand, Myanmar and Vietnam have powerful and influential militaries. There's a great book "Zen at War" on how Japan effectively used Buddhism post Meiji to promote militarism.
My understanding is that when universities of Nalanda, Vikramshila, Jagaddala, Odantapuri were attacked. The monks fled away in thousands to Nepal Tibet and other places outside BHARAT. That killed Buddhism instantly. Thats exactly why I had said that buddhism failed to produce Maharana Pratap or Shivaji.
You are correct when you say Buddhism is centralised to the state power. As we know for the Hindus every Brahmin were a potential priest. No ordination was mandated as such. Every household carried on rituals viz recitation of particular Mantras pilgrimages everybody memorizing some Veda its very purpose.
By contrast, Buddhism had instituted ordination.Monasteries were supported by the people and kings like Ashoka. When support got removed buddhism fell like a pack of cards. There are more reasons certainly.
Are the Buddhists in Myanmar and Sri Lanka "peaceful" ? Buddhism, unlike Hinduism is tied to state power. If the state is powerful, than Buddhism is a force multiplier. The Buddhist Sangha is generally close to the military.
This part gets a bit of interesting. Now we have to analyze exactly how much of violence has to do with Buddhas teachings.For example at around 1600 ad approx Japanese rulers realized the threat. The threat of christianity. Infact. No pagan civilization to our knowledge ever went to the lengths that the Japanese did in crushing christianity.
How much the Buddhism has to do in this. That I am yet to see. You could enlighten in this regards.
Sri Lanka and Buddhists far from peaceful. I absolutely agree with you. Now again how much of Buddhism is responsible that I am yet to see. But I see the conflicts in Sri Lanka more in the way of interventionist modeling. There is evidence of buddhist revivals in Sri Lanka being spurred by theosophical society. Using fraud of aryan-sinhalese-buddhist identity.
You could argue for places like Vietnam too. Far from peaceful. But that is probably reactionary. Remember that yes amreekunt coup in 1960s. That toppled dinh dem who hated buddhism because he was catholic radical.
That's a huge innovation. Rejection of an "ultimate reality" and having a somewhat nihilistic outlook, but with ethics is radical. In the modern urban world would you rather have a bunch of people who're woke or Buddhists with belief in Karma, reincarnation etc ?
If you are a Buddhist then certainly I would like to have more buddhists like you.But to best of my knowledge the unadulterated version of buddhism only exists in Tibet. I have always maintained Sanatana Dharma and buddhism are closely related. For example how Buddha decided to get hold of Kevalya the Boddhisatva . The kevalya itself is part of Ashtaang Yoga and entire chapter of YOGA DARSHAN is dedicated to Kevalya which is basically MOKSHA the final goal of human existence. The difference in only acknowledging the eternal self.
I had still chose Buddhism only if they are truly into teachings of Buddha but unfortunately today the followers of buddhism have reduced all this good philosophy to a joke. This is the cost of ignoring the metaphysical aspects of Dharma because of which over time followers of Buddhism attempted a lot to solve the mysteries and answer the questions on Atman , existence etc and even went on to adopt Tantric Sadhanas and distorted them for the sake of enjoyment and comfort. The founders were great Yogis but their teachings and practices were misused by unworthy followers.