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