The Buddha is not portrayed as the only Son of God, the last prophet, or the only Buddha. He is simply the main representative of enlightenment in this era, the ideal sage or yogi. He is often regarded more as an inner archetype than an historical person. There are said to be Buddhas teaching in all worlds, not just this Earth.

Previous Buddhas are recognized and many of these, like the Buddha Kashyapa, which is the name of one of the seven seers of the Vedas, have the names of great Hindu sages. Hindus recognize Buddha as an avatar of Vishnu and Buddhists recognize the Hindu avatar Rama as a Bodhisattva or enlightened being. There are many sages and yogis honored in both traditions.

Sanatana Dharma or the eternal tradition can be called Buddha Dharma or the enlightenment tradition. There is no conflict between Sanatana and Buddha Dharma as both emphasize dharma. Only if there is an insistence that one tradition or the other has an exclusive hold on truth or enlightenment do they have any real conflict with one another.

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