Hitesh has gone multi-religious (I prefer that to the politically charged 'secular'). On the occassion of Buddha Purnima, I bring you a few vignettes of Buddha's veneration by other religions.
Hinduism
Many (may be even most) schools of Hinduism recognize Gautama Buddha as the ninth of the Dasha-avataara (ten incarnations) of Vishnu.
Buddhists do not take this 'recognition' very kindly. Among the ones who oppose this most virulently are Nayayana Buddhists, also called Ambedkarite Buddhists, one of who's 22 religious vows includes opposing the belief that Buddha is an avataara of Vishnu.
Hindu faith in Buddha has produced interesting results. Since 
Buddha is considered a member of the Hindu pantheon of gods, many Hindus believe in offering puja to Buddha at the temple of Mahabodhi at Gaya. A shrada (offering) to departed souls performed at Gaya is considered a sure shot way of freeing the souls from the cycle of birth and death - which Buddha called Nirvana and Hindus call Moksha. Interestingly another of the 22 Ambedkarite Buddhist vows is to not perform shrada! The Mahabodhi temple is an interesting effort at religious pluralism, its managing board consists 4 Hindu and 4 Buddhist members each. Not that this enables running of the temple in a non-controversial manner thoughNot all Hindus accept that Buddha is an avataar of Vishnu. While some Vaishnava traditions (especially South Indian ones) consider Krishna to be the 9th avataar (with Big Brother Balarama being the 8th one), the Gaudiya tradition (founded by Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and including ISKCON) considers Chaitanya Mahaprabhu to be the 9th avaatar.
Buddha is considered a member of the Hindu pantheon of gods, many Hindus believe in offering puja to Buddha at the temple of Mahabodhi at Gaya. A shrada (offering) to departed souls performed at Gaya is considered a sure shot way of freeing the souls from the cycle of birth and death - which Buddha called Nirvana and Hindus call Moksha. Interestingly another of the 22 Ambedkarite Buddhist vows is to not perform shrada! The Mahabodhi temple is an interesting effort at religious pluralism, its managing board consists 4 Hindu and 4 Buddhist members each. Not that this enables running of the temple in a non-controversial manner thoughNot all Hindus accept that Buddha is an avataar of Vishnu. While some Vaishnava traditions (especially South Indian ones) consider Krishna to be the 9th avataar (with Big Brother Balarama being the 8th one), the Gaudiya tradition (founded by Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and including ISKCON) considers Chaitanya Mahaprabhu to be the 9th avaatar. 
Christianity
Buddha is also said to be the St. Josaphat, who is venerated as a saint by many christian traditions. The life story of the two is identical and St. Josaphat was Indian.
Islam
Some noted Mulsim scholars like Maulana Abul Kalam Azad and Hamid Abdul Qadir believe that the prophet Dhu'l-Kifl mentioned in the Quran is non other than Buddha. This is however not universally accepted. Most scholars believe that Dhu'l-Kifl refers to the biblical Prophet
Baha'ism
Buddha is a named prophet in Baha'ism along with Krishna, Zoroaster, Jesus, Mohammed and .
Shintoism
Shintoism has blended so well with Buddhism that the two are nearly indistinguishable in Japan. Many a Shinto diety is considered a manifestation of some Buddhist diety or other (a task simplified by the numerous Bodhisattvas up for grabs!).
Shintoism has blended so well with Buddhism that the two are nearly indistinguishable in Japan. Many a Shinto diety is considered a manifestation of some Buddhist diety or other (a task simplified by the numerous Bodhisattvas up for grabs!).
By the way, today is not universally recognized at Buddha's birthday. By Chinese traditions Buddha's birthday will fall on May 24th (8th day of 4th chinese month).
Also Gautama is not the only Buddha, neither is he the first. He is said to be the 28th Buddha. Buddhist tradition two talks of another visit by the divine. Maitreya would be the 29th Buddha.
1 comment:
The Puranic "inclusion" of the Buddha as the ninth avatar of Vishnu - is actually tantamount to denying the whole life and teaching of the Buddha. The reason he is included as an avatar - because he preached heresy (equality and dignity) to the untouchables and thus hastened their doom. And thus did a great service in upholding the dharma.
While the Buddha's teaching harks back to the Upanishads, the social practice of (Vedic) religion was completely opposed and refuted by the Buddha. Thus there cannot be any truck between "Hinduism" and Buddhism.
But "Buddhism" too has become another ism, another organised religion and dogma, rather than an alternative practice, of liberation, and a Ministry of Compassion. But mysticism inspired by the life of Buddha continues to work, as an inner religion, for the enlightenment of humanity.
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