Avatar

===Avatar versus incarnation===
The manifest embodiment is sometimes referred to as an [[incarnation]].<ref name=kimctap192>{{cite book|author=Sebastian C. H. Kim |title=Christian Theology in Asia |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hXh3iq94MWIC |year=2008|publisher=Cambridge University Press |isbn=978-1-139-47206-7 |pages=169–176 }}</ref> The translation of avatar as "incarnation" has been questioned by Christian theologians, who state that an incarnation is in flesh and imperfect, while avatar is mythical and perfect.{{sfn|Sheth|2002|pp=107-109}}{{sfn|Matchett|2001|p=4}} The theological concept of Christ as an incarnation, as found in [[Christology]], presents the Christian concept of incarnation. The term avatar in Hinduism refers to act of various gods taking form to perform a particular task which in most of the times is bringing dharma back. The concept of avatar is widely accepted all over the India.<ref>Mercy Amba Oduyoye, H. M. Vroom, ''One gospel&nbsp;– many cultures: case studies and reflections on cross-cultural theology'', Rodopi, 2003, {{ISBN|978-90-420-0897-7}}, p. 111.</ref> Sheth disagrees and states that this claim is an incorrect understanding of the Hindu concept of avatar.{{sfn|Sheth|2002|p=108}}{{Refn|group=note|name=buddha|Buddha, a real person, is included as an avatar of Vishnu in many Hindu texts.{{sfn|Sheth|2002|p=99}}}} Avatars are embodiments of spiritual perfection, driven by noble goals, in Hindu traditions such as [[Vaishnavism]].{{sfn|Sheth|2002|p=108}} The concept of the avatar in Hinduism is not incompatible with natural [[conception (biology)|conception]] through a sexual act, which is again different from the Christian concept of the [[Virgin birth of Jesus|Virgin Birth]].