LORD VISHNU IN BUDDHISM -II

“At that time the king
Suddhodana was king Dasaratha, MahAmAyA was the mother, RAhulA’s mother was Sita, Ananda was Bharata, and I
myself was Rama pandita "
~Buddha ,Dasarath Jataka 461/96 ;Sutta-pittak /kuddhakNikaya(~300 BCE)

Similarly Krishna is seen as previous incarnation of sariputra ( one of disciples of Buddha) And one brother of krishna was Ghatapandita (buddha) , Vasudeva fight with kamsa and canura ,Mustika etc . Also balrama is called Baladev here .

"At that time, Aananda was Rohinneyya, Saariputta was Vaasudeva(Krishna), the followers of the Buddha were the other persons, and I myself was Ghatapandita"
~Buddha , Jatak tales 454,suttapitak

Now it's very clear that Rama is seen as previous life of Buddha in Theravada ,now this Understanding is expanded tradition of SE Asia ,where pre-existing hindu traditions camouflaged with Buddhist version,that'why Rama was adopted by all SE country https://twitter.com/RamaInExile/status/1320267433450504194?s=19

Many Temples dedicated to Vishnu found in southeast Asia ,due to Hindu influence but after transformation of states into BUDDHISM those idols of Vishnu have given respect widely in local culture,in different versions of Ramayana, Rama is seen as previous life of Buddha only.

The biggest temple in world (Vishnu temple ) Angkor wat originally have big Vishnu idol in Sanctum Santorum but later due to change of faith,the wall of garbh grih was covered and buddha idols were placed ,but Yet VISHNU idol not distroyed ,placed outside and worshipped by locals

There are many sites in Thailand , combodia which are later reconstructed with both hindu and Buddhist elements
The San Phra Kan, Hindu-buddhist), Thailand was reconstructed with Lopburi- stone sculpture of Vishnu topped with the head of an Ayutthaya-period Buddha image

There is Happily Acceptance of Lord Vishnu in two senses
1) As a part of Theravada tradition itself
2) As a part of pre-existing hindu civilization
Unfortunately this is missing in Navayanis

SS of references-

Stay connected for part -III https://twitter.com/RamaInExile/status/1325763714398658560?s=19