mimpibird39
So Many Gods!
Does anyone practice a syncretization of paganism and Buddhism (or any other Dharmic religion)? How does that work for you if you do?
I've been reading about Greco-Buddhism which has got me interested in this topic/syncretization.
Greco-Buddhism was the syncretization of Classical Greek culture and religion (Hellenism) with Buddhism Greco-Buddhism came about when Alexander the Great conquered parts of Asia and got as far as India. Hellenism greatly influenced Buddhist art in that area but there were also religious influences.
For example, Greeks gods in Buddhism usually took on the role of being guardians to Buddha, devas or protectors of Buddhist teachings. Heracles was synchronized with Vajrapani. Athena was not syncretised with a Buddhism deity but instead stayed Greek and was possibly seen as a guardian of Buddhist teachings and cities. The Greek goddess Tykhe was also associated with the Buddhist figure Hariti (who was also an Iranian demon who kidnapped and fed other's children to her own. She has also been associated with the Hindu goddess Saraswati). In Buddhism, Hariti is associated with the protection of children and fertility. She also came to be seen as a protector of the town and good fortune/luck. Tykhe's role in Hellenism was as a protector of towns and cities and a goddess of fortune, fate and chance (much like her Roman counterpart, Fortuna).
Here is a long but very informative and worth reading post on Greco-Buddhism if anyone is interested in this.
I've been reading about Greco-Buddhism which has got me interested in this topic/syncretization.
Greco-Buddhism was the syncretization of Classical Greek culture and religion (Hellenism) with Buddhism Greco-Buddhism came about when Alexander the Great conquered parts of Asia and got as far as India. Hellenism greatly influenced Buddhist art in that area but there were also religious influences.
For example, Greeks gods in Buddhism usually took on the role of being guardians to Buddha, devas or protectors of Buddhist teachings. Heracles was synchronized with Vajrapani. Athena was not syncretised with a Buddhism deity but instead stayed Greek and was possibly seen as a guardian of Buddhist teachings and cities. The Greek goddess Tykhe was also associated with the Buddhist figure Hariti (who was also an Iranian demon who kidnapped and fed other's children to her own. She has also been associated with the Hindu goddess Saraswati). In Buddhism, Hariti is associated with the protection of children and fertility. She also came to be seen as a protector of the town and good fortune/luck. Tykhe's role in Hellenism was as a protector of towns and cities and a goddess of fortune, fate and chance (much like her Roman counterpart, Fortuna).
Here is a long but very informative and worth reading post on Greco-Buddhism if anyone is interested in this.