Search:

From the Bhakti List Archives

Ram Gopalaswamy • July 29, 1998 


shrii. Parthasarati Dileepan writes:
| 
| At 07:04 AM 7/28/1998 -0400, Radhika Srinivasan (RSrin@aol.com) wrote:
| >Dear Sahridayas,
| >.....  I have made comparative studies in Vaishnavism and Buddhism and
| >found deep gratification in both, which appear as two sides of the same coin,
| >Buddha being called Narayana and Kalanthaka (conquoror of kala), both being
| 
| 
| This note is not written in disapproval (I am not qualified to 
| approve or disapproval), but only to share a small peace of 
| information that may be relevant and many I am sure 
| already know.
| 
| Sri Vaishnavas do consider Buddha an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, 
| but of a contrarian kind.  The Lord came to the world as Buddha to 
| spread lies among asuras in order to mislead them.

Interesting!  shrii S.M. Srinivasa Chari in his book, "Vaisnavism" says:

" See Vedaanta deshika's Dashaavataara stotra.
  The ten avataara-s generally acknowledged by the Vaishhnava-s, do not
  include the Buddhaavataara. Buddha, as the founder of Buddhism in vogue,
  is not an avataara of VishhNu. If some later PuraaNas-s speak of him
  as an avataara, it is regarded by the VaishhNava-s as an interpolation."
[ page 230. Note# 48]

Would members please comment ?

| 
| Our Azhvaars have severely criticized Buddhism, among other religions
| such as Samanam and Saivam.  One Azhvaar goes to the extent of 
| saying that he will make it his duty to cut off their heads.

Could reference be provided from divya-prabhandam?

Thanks,

 - Ram

| 
| If this note causes any hurt please accept my apologies.
| 
| 
| -- adiyEn raamanuja dhaasan
|