Vishnu - Buddha & Rama

[eggomaniac]

This is a 2 part question.

From my reading, I have concluded that Buddha and Rama are considered, by some, to be 2 of many avatars of Vishnu; Buddha for spritual guidance and Rama for temporal governance.

Is the foregoing a 'within the ballpark' accurate description of the hierarchy?

----------

Do all, most, or any branches of Buddhism ascribe to the belief that Buddha is an avatar of Vishnu, or is that a Hindu and or Brahmin belief, not Buddhist?

Does the main school/branch [Theraveda] of Thai Buddhism believe this? What about the more obscure Mayahan Buddhists and Tibetan Buddhists?

--------

If you had to say if Vishnu is part of the demography of Buddhism, what would the answer be and in what detail?

[camerata]

This is a Hindu belief. No Buddhists sects believe it.

[sabaijai]

I've never met a single Thai who believed that Buddha was an 'avatar' of Vishnu either.

The only role Vishnu plays in Thai Buddhist mythology/art is as a celestial supporter of Buddhism, same as other Brahmanist (proto-Hindu) deities that crop up in Thai Buddhist art.

[mauGR1]

Lord Vishnu,which has a human form,is much more than a Deva,is one of the 3 primeval forces of the Universe:Preservation.

In the old texts,Lord Buddha is said to be an Avatar of Vishnu.Some Indian Brahmin told me Lord Jesus is a Vishnu Avatar too.

I don't know if it's correct to talk about a "hierarchy of Avatars"but(according to Hinduists)the Dalai Lama,being a Buddha incarnation, could be a Vishnu Avatar too.

The other primeval forces of the universe are said to be 'Creation' and 'Destruction' the latter being Creation itself.The mystery of the Holy Trinity?

We can imagine that Gods don't exist,but Destruction,Creation and Preservation exist,Brahma,Shiva,Vishnu are simply the Human Forms of those huge forces or entities.

The debate about which between Preservation or Destruction is the greatest is going on since aeons,while Lord Brahma is regarded "only" as the Architect of this universe.

Note for the kind Mods,if you find this outlandish or not Buddhism related,you can delete it,oh and despite not being a real Buddhist,i have the utmost respect for this Forum,the Mods and the Posters,thank you All!

[eggomaniac]

Lord Vishnu,which has a human form,is much more than a Deva,is one of the 3 primeval forces of the Universe:Preservation.

In the old texts,Lord Buddha is said to be an Avatar of Vishnu.Some Indian Brahmin told me Lord Jesus is a Vishnu Avatar too.

Note for the kind Mods,if you find this outlandish or not Buddhism related,you can delete it,oh and despite not being a real Buddhist,i have the utmost respect for this Forum,the Mods and the Posters,thank you All!

In old Hindu or old Buddhist texts, please.

oh, I too am glad they allow some comments about Brahminism and, even, Christianity if it pertains to a comparison of Buddhist beliefs and or principals.

I had found lots of articles of how 'some' sects of Hinduism define Buddha as an avatar of Vishnu, then in various interpretations. One site stated, 'Buddhism denies the athority of the vedas'.

The mods have confirmed this is not a tenet of Buddhism.

Brahmanism in Thailand, which is probably the smallest group with the most amount of importance, would hold this view though, right?

Edited March 27, 2010 by eggomaniac