Chapter 4:

The Buddhist Challenge

In reading about Buddhism I realize that I find many similarities in my personal beliefs such as "Much of the Buddha's teaching reflected the Hindu traditions from which it sprang. The idea that ordinary life is an illusion, the concepts of karma and rebirth, the goal of overcoming the incessant demands of the ego, the practice of meditation, the hope for final release from the cycle of rebirth - all of these Hindu elements found their way into Buddhist teaching. In this respect, Buddhism was a simplified and more accessible version of Hinduism.

The Classic Indian Buddha there is an image of Buddha from Eastern India which shows a classic representation of the great teacher. The Buddha's right hand with palm facing the viewer indicates reassurance, or "have no fear." The partially webbed fingers are among the lakshanas, or signs of a Buddha image, that denote the Buddha's unique status"