Buddha et al

[Guest guest]

sri:

srimathe ramanujaya namaha

 

Dear Members,

 

Adiyen was discussing about the Buddha avatara and it's relation to sarveshwaran emberumAn. The discussion took place elsewhere on the WWW and it was scholarly and objective in nature, drawing references and facts from Both Hindu as well as Buddhist Scriptures. All in all, this was a very objective discussion and was discussed without prejudice or partiallity towards both religions.

 

To Sum up the conclusions of the Discussion, Buddha whom we know today as Siddharta Gautama *was* not the avataaram of Mahavishu. This can be reached upon by logical and objective analysis of both hindu as well as buddhist doctrines.

 

First Let us consider the Verse in Srimad Bhagavatam which points out to the Avatara of Buddha:

 

tataH kalau sampravR^itte sammohaaya suradviShaam buddho naamnaajanasutaH kiikaTeShu bhaviShyati || Srimad Bhagavatam 1.3.24 ||

^^^^^^^^^ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

 

Concentrate on the words "buddho naamnaajanasutaH" ---- This says that the Buddha would be born as Anjana Suta (Son of Anjana). But Siddharta Gautama, whom we know as the buddha was the son of Suddhodhana and Maya and was born in Lumbini not Gaya as the verse points out.

 

The fact that Maya and Suddhodhana are the parents of Gautama buddha is very evident even in buddhist scriptures such as Amarakosha,Prajnapiramita Sutra, Ashtasahasrik Prajnaparamita Sutra, Shatasahasrik Prajnapdramita Sutra and Lalita Distara.

 

Question: Why did many people say Siddharta Gautama was the Avatara of Vishu?

 

The First five people to whom Siddharta Gautama preached to were brahmins. Besides there were many brahmins who were converted to Buddhism. State-sponsored conversion to buddhism was supported by various kings such as Ashoka, Kanishka et al. This also occured during the reing of Nagarjuna in Andhrapradesh.

 

The Brahmin converts wanted to "Curry Favour" among other Brahmins who were faithful to the Hindu Scriptures. Hence these brahmin converts to buddhism started equating Siddharta Gautama to be the avatara of Mahavishnu, which he clearly is not.

 

This was not challenged by many people and hence stuck to moden folkore. Even today many Hindu scholars consider Siddharta Gautama to be an auxilliary avatara of Maha Vishnu.

 

Question: Why do many people popularly hold Buddha to be an avatara of Vishnu?

 

This myth has been popularised by the VHP and the Sangh Parivar. For the VHP and Sangh Parivar, any famous non-christian, non-muslim religious teacher can be termed according to them as an "avatara"

 

It is clear that Siddharta Gautama was not an avarata of Buddha.

 

Best Wishes,

 

Adiyen Ramanuja Daasan,

 

Malolan Cadambi