Gautam Buddha is a bridge: a bridge joining all. Beyond Buddhist or Hindu and so on. He is also like an ocean comprised of the water of many rivers: a universal symbol of the spiritual thirst, the mystic realisation of highest truths. Encompassing the cosmic vision of the Upanishadic Rishis, the glory of Vedanta & Tantra, the balance of Tao, the luminescent brilliance of Zen, the compassion of Jesus of Nazareth, the love of the Sufis, the ecstatic celebration of the Bauls, the asceticism of the Tirthankaras, the sacrifice of the Sikh gurus, the alchemy of Kabbalah, the wonder of the Maya / Shamanic paths world over, et al. My humble salutations this Buddha Jayanti ...