Abstract Disability and ‘difference’ in the histories of eastern religions have attracted little formal or comparative scrutiny. A range is sketched here of historical data, viewpoints and attitudes on disability and physiognomic difference in historical Hindu, Buddhist and Muslim texts, which continue to influence the thoughts of half the world's population. Approaches for more detailed studies are suggested, moving towards such global measures for understanding, remediating and accommodating disability as might be more appropriate and acceptable to the non-western majority. Popular notions associated with disability in these religions are discussed.