How Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and fortune, is depicted in Jainism and Buddhism

As a region rich in diverse cultures and religions, the subcontinent of India has seen the origin of numerous religious traditions over the centuries. This cultural diversity has fostered acculturation and accommodation of religious beliefs and ideas from one tradition to another. A notable manifestation of this trait is the adaptation of deities from one religion to another. This phenomenon is exemplified by the presence of Shri/Lakshmi in traditions which are outside the fold of Hinduism. Shri is initially mentioned in the Rig Veda and the Shatapatha Brahmana as an all-powerful deity. Over the years, with the advent of Buddhism and Jainism, she was also adopted as the deity of wealth and fortune in the new religious traditions. Additionally, many other deities and semi-divine beings such as Ganesha, Kubera, Indra, Krishna and more were embraced in Jainism and Buddhism, particularly in Mahayana and Vajrayana Buddhism.

Interestingly, these traditions initially began with the concept of “godlessness”, and no divine figures were worshipped in Jainism and Buddhism. However, over time, the followers started to worship deities belonging to Hinduism and other folk religions, who became visible in the texts and temples of their traditions. One possible reason for the adoption of divine and semi-divine...

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