Paitoo
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I don't want to comment on the 'respect' part, but Buddha was certainly Indian. A small technicality about his place of birth being within current Nepal's political map doesn't change a thing. Eastern UP and Bihar have the holiest sites of Buddhism - Sarnath (near Varanasi) and Bodh Gaya. Ashoka, who patronised Buddhism and spread it was of Bihari origin. The most spectacular ancient surviving monuments from Buddhist era are in India - in Ajanta, Ellora and Elephanta in Maharashtra and some in Hampi in Karnataka. Smaller sites are found all over the Deccan plateau of various vintage. Most of these coexist with Hindu and Jain temples.
It is a pity that persecution of Buddhists by some political minded Brahmins is blown out of proportion. Buddhists monks were largely non political in nature due to the concept of detachment being integral to their religion. This made them shun politics and as a result they lost out to Hinduism whose priestly caste was very active in politics.
At the same time I don't want to indulge in trumpet blowing. Buddhism has taken many forms over the centuries. There is a South East Asian version, a Srilankan version, Indian version, Tibetan version and I am sure the Japanese have added their own local flavors to it. To say that it is all a gift of India would be stretching it. But being treated as the holy land for Buddhists is undeniable.
It is a pity that persecution of Buddhists by some political minded Brahmins is blown out of proportion. Buddhists monks were largely non political in nature due to the concept of detachment being integral to their religion. This made them shun politics and as a result they lost out to Hinduism whose priestly caste was very active in politics.
At the same time I don't want to indulge in trumpet blowing. Buddhism has taken many forms over the centuries. There is a South East Asian version, a Srilankan version, Indian version, Tibetan version and I am sure the Japanese have added their own local flavors to it. To say that it is all a gift of India would be stretching it. But being treated as the holy land for Buddhists is undeniable.
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