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Hindus: your view on Buddha?

ajay0

Well-Known Member
Swami Vivekananda had stated that Buddhism was a natural outshoot of hinduism. In his words Buddha and Buddhism 'was the fulfilment, the logical conclusion and reasonable development of Hinduism.'

Study of Buddhist philosophy helped me to better understand Hindu philsophy and psychology as well, as it was like viewing the same subject by different authors with differing terminology and perspectives. It helped to bring about better understanding in the process.

Buddhism also helped to bring about necessary reforms in Hinduism as well.
 
Gautama Buddha in Hinduism - Wikipedia

Hello Hindu, how do you view the Buddha? What is your opinion on him?
I have to admit that I rather like the Buddha and think he is far more practical than a lot of Hindu philosophy I have read. I have seen folks mention the avatar of Vishnu thing but I don't think he was for the simple reason he didn't claim to be. He did claim to have certain powers but didn't claim to be divine in that sense. Of course I would argue that we wouldn't have modern Hinduism without sramana movements like Buddhism and Jainism. I think if you read the upanishads you can see a lot of similarities with Buddhist views however the Buddha did claim to have a superior view.

To me he is just a teacher in a time which had a glut of spiritual teachers. His teaching happened to get popular support but it was hardly the only school of thought around. If you pay attention to early Buddhist sutras it's also fairly obvious that a lot of his teachings were in response to other sramana movements. He probably wouldn't of considered himself a Hindu by today's standards either. I do find practicing Buddhist techniques for mediation are helpful for me and that a lot of the philosophy makes a lot of sense. The rub being that I believe in devotion and gods which is not a part of Buddhism in the way I practice it. I would also disagree on the whole no self thing.

Disagreeing on topics like this would probably of gotten you kicked out of the sangha. The Buddha was the sort of teacher you could only disagree with so much. I wouldn't say he is infallible which right off the bat raises some issues.

In essence he wasn't the perfect guy but had a lot of wisdom and seemed to understand the human condition of suffering very well. I disagree with him on a number of points. I also think it's interesting that if you look at early Buddhism vs modern Buddhism it would appear a lot of his teachings were all but abandoned by the sangha.
 

Aupmanyav

Be your own guru
Hello Hindu, how do you view the Buddha? What is your opinion on him?
Love him absolutely. He is my guru. I have named my son 'Amitabh' in his honor. My belief (Advaita Hinduism) is 98% same as that of Hinayana Buddhism.
I have to admit that I rather like the Buddha and think he is far more practical than a lot of Hindu philosophy I have read.
Buddha was perhaps too practical. Hinduism caters to all kinds of people with all kinds of philosophies. Hinduism has a vast range. Buddha was much before his time.
 

Vinidra

Jai Mata Di!
I know very little about Buddha and Buddhism, to be honest, but with what I do know, I can say that I think he was very much an enlightened spiritual teacher, and my opinion is rather favorable. :)
 
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