A commenter on the [NewBuddhist blog](http://newbuddhist.com/discussion/18661/what-does-namaste-mean-well) claimed that one should not say Namaste in a Tibetan Buddhist event (in this context).

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> I remember one time saying "Namaste" while at a Tibetan Buddhist event, and someone quickly pulled me aside and said, "Oh, no-- do not say 'Namaste!' Say, 'Tashi Delek!'"
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> I'm not entirely sure why I brought that up... perhaps because I'm still confused as to why it was wrong to say Namaste.
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> -- SillyPutty
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> 

I'd like to make a disclaimer that I am not from a Buddhist country so I'm confused. I never even read from anywhere that The Buddha even says this, or is the phrase really Buddhist -- you can imagine my confusion.

Is this a modern phrase? What is its connection to Buddhism?