::"Kshatriya" in the context of early Buddhism is a Vedic term, not a Hindu term. The fact that "the Vedas, Upanishads are all part of Hinduism" does not imply that the Buddha was a Hindu, nor that the Vedas and Upaishads were "Hindu" at the time they were composed. I've given several references to reliable sources; I think you should read them, instead of repeating yourself. Hunduism is a synthesis of a broad range of traditions, which took shape under socio-economic and political circumstances 9ask the simple question: who's the boss, which religious specialists does he need for support? Which religion was better able to incorporate popular religion: Brahmanism or Buddhism?) This is the standard scholarly opinion, and so obvious, that I actuually don't understand why people don't see this. is it a matter of misinformation? Not familiair with contemporary scholarship?