and nor is buddhism a branch of hinduism.

let me hear if you disagree.

Well this is a debate and ia am just putting in my opinions which are just opinions. It seems like you are not thoroughly reading my comments and just blindly trying to give a rebuttal on something i have not claimed in the first place. Gyurme i am a skeptic at the very least i am not a believer i am a Knower and i have not professed any beliefs.

incase you are too lazy to go back and read my coment.

i don't believe buddha as a n hindu avatar not do i believe that buddhism is part of hinduism. i am making this statement based on religion as an institution not from a philosophical perspective. However there is nothing in buddhist philosophy that is extremely alien to hindu philosophy. if this is not the case prove it.

hindu religion is an institution not a religion if u go back read the history. so far buddha is concerned, i would tell that buddha himself used to be hindu. the excavation in Lumbini has found some statue of shiva. That implies his family used to profess hindu religion too.
jayamatadi

know the definition before writing something

religion is a institution