DURING the period for the selection of various commissioners for the Ethnic Relations Commission, (ERC) Swami Aksharnanda made it clear that “Buddhism has nothing to do with Hinduism and therefore a Buddhist cannot represent Hindu views”.  Many practicing Hindus found this statement to be very strange.  More so that, at the same time the statement was made, a hardliner Hindu Prime Ministerial Candidate won the elections in India.
Elementary studies of Hinduism will include Sikhism, Jainism and Buddhism as branches of Hinduism, and all authorised by Lord Krishna the Primal Deity of Hinduism. According to the Bhagvata Gita, Hindus are given the freedom to choose their Deities. “ Arjuna, however men seek me; Even so do I approach them; for all men follow my path in different ways” ( C 4: V 11)  In the discussion between Arjuna and Shri Krishna, it is further stated “ Whatever celestial form a devotee chooses to worship with reverence,  I stabilise the faith of that particular devotee in that very form.  Endowed with such faith he worships that particular deity and obtains through him without doubt his desired enjoyments as ordained by myself.” (C 7: V 21 & 22).
All Hindus accept that Siddhartha, known as the Buddha, is the ninth incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Is it hatred or the need to perpetuate Hindu/ Indian Hegemony that prompted the Swami to make such a statement, which was directed towards one of Guyana’s greatest contributors to Peace and social cohesion throughout Guyana?
Swami Aksharnanda is known as an outspoken person, but to totally discredit a religious leader and peace builder, who is the recipient of the Universal Peace Federation Gold Meda, is outrageous and should not be tolerated.
Balmattie Persaud