Vi??u

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VI??U

Vi??u is the Brahmanical god who preserves the universe, frequently as an avat?ra, or descent. The Buddha is incorporated into Vi??u's mythology, most clearly in the Gay?-mahatmya (Praises of the Greatness of Gaya) section of the V?yu-pur??a (Ancient Book of V?yu), in which Vi??u assumes the form of the Buddha and preaches false teachings to a group of asuras. Vi??u himself is not a particularly important textual presence, but in Sri Lanka he is frequently worshiped by Buddhists, often as one of the protectors of the religion and as a powerful, active force.

See also:Divinities; Folk Religion, Southeast Asia; Hinduism and Buddhism

Bibliography

Gonda, Jan. Aspects of Early Vi??uism. Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass, 1965.

The V?yu Purana, tr. G. V. Tagare. Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass, 1987.

Jacob N. Kinnard

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