(
Hinduism,
Sanksrit)
The historical Buddha is also regarded by Hindus to be the ninth avatara
of Vishnu, incarnated here to bring religion to atheists, and the godless (if you
think about it, Buddhism is not so much a religion, but more of a moral
belief system, but this is the Hindu viewpoint, nevertheless). Gautama Buddha
is also regarded as the twenty-first purusha incarnation of Vishnu,
and is described in the Srimad Bhagavatam, thus:
"tatah kalau sampravritte
sammohaya sura-dvisham
buddho namnañjana-sutah
kikateshu bhavishyati
The in the beginning of Kali-yuga, the Lord will appear as Lord Buddha,
the son of Añjana, in the province of Gaya, just for the purpose
of deluding those who are envious of the faithful theist."
Bhag., Canto 1, Ch. 3, Text 24
"deva-dvisham nigama-vartmani nishthitanam
purbhir mayena vihitabhir adrishya-turbhih
lokan bhnatam mati-vimoham atipralobham
vesham vidhaya bahu bhashyata aupadharmyam
When the atheists, after being well versed in the Vedic scientific knowledge,
annihilate inhabitants of different planets, flying unseen in the sky on well-built
rockets prepared by the great scientist Maya, the Lord will bewhilder their minds
by dressing Himself attractively as Buddha and will preach on subreligious principles."
Bhag., Canto 2, Ch. 7, Text 37
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