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Buddhism has been around long enough for just about anything you want to have happened.

I don't know of any war waged in the name of Buddhism.

However, concerning militancy, when the Hindus decided to reassert themselves (starting, I believe, in the 600s) and take back India, it wasn't all that peaceful

Which has nothing in particular to do with Buddhism which was the subject. Red Herring for dinner? But let's consider why the Hindus, Buddhists or any of the other various peoples of India would be (or could be) peaceful in taking India back from the Muslims who swept through with swords and torches destroying and subjugating everyone and everything in their path? Are you subtly suggesting that we have taken the wrong path today in dealing with militant Islam? It would be rather difficult to characterize our strategy as peaceful.

In fact, I consider both "brands" to be very similar to the Democratic party ~ lots of claims to helping out the victim class, but lord forbid you challenge their prerogatives. The Dems still act like they run Congress (for example).

You provide an example of Dem hypocrisy (which no one on this board needs) but you fail to give one example to back up your comparison to Buddhists and Hindus. But let's leave the Hindus out. I know nothing of them or their history, they hold only a superficial relationship to Buddhism and they weren't part of the discussion.

You have provided a far greater example of your own close likeness to modern-day lefties with your red herrings and unsubstantiated claims. Considering your egotistical chastisement of other FReepers for a lack of historical knowledge (also unsubstantiated) you sound like a typical Dem making big pronouncements while lacking any substance. And like a lefty you apparently think no one can see this.

The point about Hinduism is very simple. At one time Greater India was predominantly Buddhist. Then, Hinduism made a resurgence. Shortly after they'd taken over almost all the temples (and temple taxes), and re-established the dominance of Hindu gurus everywhere, the Moslems came in.

There were areas in Greater India where the people fought the Moslems. There were other areas where they didn't. And then there were rather inaccessible areas that'd not converted to Hinduism from Buddhism, and the Moslems didn't succeed in conquering them.

It really isn't surprising Buddhist history is not well known in this country.