| Buddhism is only one of several large | | | | |
| religions that are practiced in Asia - the | | | | Buddha has been revered by some prominent |
| others being Islam and Hinduism - so it is | | | | Hindus, such as Gandhi, who was inspired by |
| only natural to wonder about Buddha from a | | | | the Buddha's reform and his dedication to |
| Hindu perspective. | | | | beliefs. The Dalai Lama, the most important |
| | | | figure in Tibetan Buddhism, has also been |
| The idea of Buddha from a Hindu perspective | | | | received with a warm welcome at many Hindu |
| is not as kind as one might think. Buddha is | | | | events throughout India. The ideas of |
| mentioned in the sacred texts of Hinduism, | | | | Buddhism are not completely disavowed within |
| with Buddha being seen as one of the 25 | | | | Hinduism, but the fact that Buddhism does |
| avatars (faces) of Vishnu. Buddha is the 24th | | | | teach opposing ideas to certain of the Hindu |
| of 25 avatars, and closest to a final | | | | scriptures means that some orthodox Hindus do |
| incarnation of Vishnu (who is the god of gods | | | | not see Buddha as a positive figure. |
| in Hinduism, or the Supreme Being). Orthodox | | | | |
| Hinduism does not agree with any of the | | | | Buddha also plays a role in several of the |
| teachings of Buddha, however, and Buddhism is | | | | most important Hindu texts, including the |
| considered a nastika (literally, "it is not | | | | Puranas. The texts where Buddha is mentioned |
| so") school of religion because Buddhism | | | | include: Harivamsha, Vishnu Purana, Bhagavata |
| disavows the Vedas (texts) of Hinduism. | | | | Purana, Garuda Purana, Agni Purana, and Padma |
| | | | Purana. In some cases, Buddha is mentioned as |
| The beliefs within Hinduism are quite broad, | | | | being a face or avatar of Vishnu that was |
| and many different schools and individuals | | | | birthed in order to "mislead the demons". |
| have different views on Buddha himself. When | | | | While some see this as a denunciation of |
| one looks at Buddha from a Hindu perspective, | | | | Buddha, others see the incorporation of |
| they may see his place as an avatar of | | | | Buddha into an avatar for Vishnu as a |
| Vishnu, or as a person who teaches a similar | | | | positive sign of acceptance for the Buddha. |
| belief as Hinduism in the fact that he | | | | |
| preached a universal truth. Although Buddha | | | | Opposing religions are always tough to deal |
| is deemed to be one of the avatars or faces | | | | with, and seeing Buddha from a Hindu |
| of Vishnu, those who pray to Vishnu as the | | | | perspective can illustrate this to a point. |
| Supreme Being rarely use this avatar as a | | | | Although the two religions are not completely |
| representation of the god. Instead, they are | | | | disparate, there are enough differences where |
| more likely to see Vishnu as Rama or Krishna. | | | | Hindus are not always fond of Buddha. |