Nepalese Buddhistsâ View of Hinduism
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This article describes Nepalese society as characterized by caste/ethnic, linguistic, cultural and religious diversity, and religious conflict is gradually on the rise. The main focus of the article is on two aspects: 1) the Buddhistsâ views of Hindu doctrines and 2) the Hindusâ politics of religion. The Buddhistsâ views of Hindu doctrines discussed are creation and absolute truth, hierarchy/purity and pollution of castes and foods, atma (âsoulâ) and its rebirth, belief in gods, work with no expectation of its fruits or fatalism, conformity in means, intolerance, individualism, violence, extreme paths and lack of sila and liberation. The Hindusâ politics of religion discussed are the denial of Buddhism as falling within the Omkar Family and Buddha as the ninth incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Also described are the Buddhist opposition to Hindusâ state patroniza-tion, closed (proselytization as a threat) membership, cold approach to the development of Lumbini, disrespect for other religions and the anti-non-Hindu stance of Hindu fundamentalist organizations. The article concludes by pointing out that the secular state and the elimination of the Hindusâ negative attitude towards other religions, including Buddhism, are preconditions for religious harmony and positive peace in Nepalese society.