Swami Vivekananda's Views on Buddha: Agreement and Disagreement

Swami Vivekananda, often referred to as the disciple of Ramakrishna, had a profound respect for Buddhism and its founder, Gautama Buddha. This respect is evident in his numerous speeches and writings, where he often held Buddha in high esteem. In this article, we will delve into Swami Vivekananda’s comments on Gautama Buddha, focusing on both his agreement and disagreement with the Buddha's teachings.

Swami Vivekananda Praising Buddha

Support and Respect: Swami Vivekananda expressed great admiration for Buddha, describing him not only as a spiritual leader but also as a unique individual. He emphasized Buddha’s fearlessness, love, and unwavering concern for the welfare of humanity:

"All my life I have been very fond of Buddha. I have more veneration for that character than any other— that boldness that fearlessness and that tremendous love! He was born for the good of men. Others may seek God or truth for themselves, but he did not even care to know truth for himself. He sought truth because people were in misery. How to help them that was his only concern."

In his remarks, Swami Vivekananda highlighted Buddha’s lack of personal ambition, noting that "he sought nothing for himself." This perspective indicates that Swami Vivekananda saw Buddha as a selfless leader whose mission was to uplift and transform humanity.

Swami Vivekananda on Buddha's Religious View

Perfect Spiritual Realization: Swami Vivekananda discussed the means by which Buddha reached his state of perfection, attributing it to a form of Vedantic way of life:

"Buddha may or may not have believed in God that does not matter to me. He reached the same state of perfection to which others come by Bhakti, love of God, Yoga, or Jnana."

This quote underscores Swami Vivekananda's belief that Buddha’s path of reasoning and purity of heart led him to a state of spiritual enlightenment, which aligns with other spiritual traditions that pursue the same goal.

Swami Vivekananda Criticizing Buddha

Challenges to Vedic Texts: While Swami Vivekananda held respect for Buddha, he was not without criticism. He pointed out that Buddha had the audacity to challenge the Vedic texts, which posed a significant issue:

"Buddha is expressly agnostic about God, but God is everywhere preached in our religion. The Vedas teach God—both personal and impersonal. God is everywhere preached in the Gita. Hinduism is nothing without Him. That is the only way to salvation."

This comment indicates that Swami Vivekananda believed the existence of a Supreme Being was an essential aspect of true salvation and spiritual legacy. His criticism implies that while Buddha may have been a reformer, his rejection of the Vedas posed a significant threat to the cohesive Hindu faith.

Swami Vivekananda's Interpretation of Buddhist Teachings

Rejection of God and Reiteration of the Self: Swami Vivekananda pointed out that Buddha’s teachings were in stark contrast to the Hindu belief in the self and the Supreme Being:

"Buddha’s idea is that there is no God only man himself. He repudiated the mentality which underlies the prevalent ideas of God. He found it made men weak and superstitious. If you pray to God to give you everything who is it then that goes out and works? God comes to those who work hard. God helps them that help themselves."

Swami Vivekananda further elaborated on Buddha’s philosophy, noting that it emphasized self-reliance and hard work:

"Everything independent is happy everything dependent is miserable. Man has infinite power within himself and he can realise it—he can realise himself as the one infinite Self. It can be done but you do not believe it. You pray to God and keep your powder dry all the time."

For Swami Vivekananda, Buddha’s teachings stripped religion of its supernatural elements, leaving only the practical and human aspects of living a moral and purposeful life.

Swami Vivekananda's Perspective on Buddhist Philosophy

Difference in Approaches: Swami Vivekananda also highlighted the differences between Buddhist and Hindu philosophies, particularly concerning the concept of the Absolute:

"Buddhism proves nothing about the Absolute Entity. In a stream the water is changing we have no right to call the stream one. Buddhist deny the one and say it is many. We say it is one and deny the many. What they call Karma is what we call the soul. According to Buddhism man is a series of waves. Every wave dies but somehow the first wave causes the second. That the second wave is identical with the first is illusion. To get rid of illusion good Karma is necessary."

This passage illustrates Swami Vivekananda’s belief in the unity and permanence of the soul, contrasting it with the Buddhist notion of the impermanence and multiplicity of existence.

Conclusion

Overall, Swami Vivekananda’s views on Buddha reveal both his deep respect and critical insights. While he held Buddha as a great reformer, his teachings challenged certain aspects of the Hindu religion, particularly the belief in a Supreme Being. Swami Vivekananda’s perspective offers a unique insight into the parallels and divergences between Buddhism and Hinduism, shedding light on the diverse spiritual paths and beliefs within Indian thought.