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From: Mani Varadarajan (mani)
Date: Thu Jan 04 1996 - 11:15:07 PST
I think the point made by Parimala Rangarajan was a good one. I.e., that Buddha may not be acceptable as an avataaram in the context of the Vedas, but may be acceptable in a universal sense. I see no contradiction in this. Truth is not limited by the text of the Vedas. The Buddha propagated enormous truths -- ahimsa, the middle path, etc., which have become part of the global Indian culture. In addition, he was rebelling against the decadent, mindless ritualism that even Sri Geetacharyan speaks against. So, while we may not worship him in the same way Rama or Krishna are worshipped, he can be revered as one who reestablished some of the cardinal principles of dharma, which, after all, do not depend on the text of the Vedas for their truth. Mani