[Buddha-l] Non Orthodox Elements within Thai Buddhism

[curt]

Shiva, Krsna, Kali, Durga, even Vishnu. In order to really get into the 
spirit of "polytheism" you really need to worship Them all, at least a 
little.

I believe that prior to the "rise" of Theravada in Southeastern Asia a 
"Sanskritized" Mahayana Buddhism
was quite prevalent there - with a heavy dose of Esoteric Buddhism, 
which inevitably drags in Hindu (or at least "Hinduish") Deities. Even 
after the Theravadins managed to establish their hegemony there were 
still lots of remnants of both pre-Buddhist (probably including Hindu) 
stuff as well as holdovers from the Mahayana Deity worshipers.

In various forms of Esoteric Buddhism it is quite common to find Hindu 
Deities. I'm supposed to be a Zen student - but I often stray into the 
more interesting and extravagant things that one finds in Esoteric 
Buddhism and also Hinduism.

As far as "benefit" goes - I think that having a devotional aspect to 
one's practice is very beneficial.

- Curt

jkirk wrote:

> Really..........which ones, and how does it benefit you?
> Joanna
> =================
>
> but as a Hindu
>
>> Deity worshiping Buddhist myself, >
>
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