What does "Namaste" mean in Buddhism context and why is it even associated with Buddhism? A commenter on the NewBuddhist blog claimed that one should not say Namaste in a Tibetan Buddhist event (in this context).

I remember one time saying &quot;Namaste&quot; while at a Tibetan Buddhist event, and someone quickly pulled me aside and said, &quot;Oh, no-- do not say 'Namaste!' Say, 'Tashi Delek!'&quot;
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.
-- SillyPutty

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?
Namaste is a greeting in the Hindu custom and does not have a context in Buddhism.

Namaste (/ˈnɑːməsteɪ/, Hindi: [nəməsteː] (About this sound listen))), sometimes spoken as Namaskar, Namaskaram is a respectful form of greeting in Hindu custom, found on the Indian subcontinent mainly in India and Nepal and among the Indian diaspora. It is used both for salutation and valediction. Namaste is usually spoken with a slight bow and hands pressed together, palms touching and fingers pointing upwards, thumbs close to the chest. This gesture is called Añjali Mudrā or Pranamasana.
In Hinduism it means &quot;I bow to the divine in you&quot;.The greeting may also be spoken without the gesture or the gesture performed wordlessly, carrying the same meaning