[adam_az]

Also Tibetan Buddhism, according to the Dalai Lama.

Tibetian Buddhism has been heavily hindi-ized, including the concept of deity archetypes.

Buddhism is not a religion, the Buddha isn't considered a deity. He is just a human who reached the concept of enlightenment, and taught other humans a method by which they could reach this state. Buddhist practices, on the other hand, are heavily influences by Vedic practices.

I'm not a Buddhist btw, I just hear a lot about the subject because my girlfriend is studying archaeology, has a deep interest in the region, and can read Sanskrit. (the language the Vedas are written in)

[tuesday afternoon]

the Buddha isn't considered a deity

According to the Dalai Lama, there is a deity. Nothingness is a way to represent the ineffable.