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Hindu Avatara and Christian Incarnation: A Comparison

This is a comparative study of the two important concepts of avatara and incarnation' as found in Hinduism and Christianity.2 After tracing the development of the two beliefs, we shall highlight the main similarities and differences between the two understandings. Such comparison not only facilitates better mutual understanding but also helps each tradition to understand itself better. The more a religion remains within its own ghetto, the poorer will be its self-understanding. It is precisely through comparison and contrast that a faith can come to comprehend itself more deeply. It is only through encounter with another that we understand our own identity. The similarities with other traditions help us to appreciate the larger significance of our beliefs and practices, and the differences give us insights into the unique features of our own tradition. Furthermore, the correlation and distinction that we notice can inspire us to question things that we have taken for granted, and we can also benefit from a cross-cultural fertilization through an ongoing interreligious dialogue.