- NEW!
Help answer this question below.
As I understand it Buddhism has several sects, some of which acknowledge an essence beyond us, many of which just do not comment on the concept of God. Some followers obviously (from above) interprete this to mean in "pure" Buddhism that there is no God. For those that accept some sort of essence beyond, it is likely tolerant and accepting, rather than controlling; more focused on enabling life in the moment than pushing it in a specific direction. Perhaps the word GOD is too confining for some followers. It is really only a word often defined by culture/religion and as such limiting. The Buddhist religion is probably more agnostic than atheistic, as atheist would be primarily defined as denying the existence of any God or essence beyond us.
Buddhism sees belief in a supreme being as being delusional and is a religion/way focussed on seeing and experiencing reality directly through a practical way of life that has worked for many thousands of men and women from the Buddha's time until now. For a more accurate view of what Buddhism is (and is not) What the Buddha Taught by Ven Walpola Rahula is a classic and is available online here:
http://www.quangduc.com/English/basic/68whatbuddhataught.html
Buddhism in it most pure form will not require a belief in God.
Belief in the goodness in the nature of human beings will suffice to be a true Buddhist.
Telling more will take several pages.
Not that I mind. You will be bored.
But I have told you the essentials.
Buddhism does not concern itself with God or Gods.
It takes the view that these are matters that are unknowable and incomprehensible, at least to a normal human being, and it more productive to engage in the practices of Buddhism, such as meditation, than to speculate about the existence or nature of God.
The Buddha himself is considered a normal human being who achieved a state of enlightenment, something that is also available to other humans beings, and is indeed the ultimate goal in Buddhism.
Buddhists pay reverence to the Buddha and other figures, and to a Western-minded person that might look like worship, but it's more in the way that one might revere the image of a saint than of a God.
Buddhism does not concern itself with God or Gods.
It takes the view that these are matters that are unknowable and incomprehensible, at least to a normal human being, and it more productive to engage in the practices of Buddhism, such as meditation, than to speculate about the existence or nature of God.
The Buddha himself is considered a normal human being who achieved a state of enlightenment, something that is also available to other humans beings, and is indeed the ultimate goal in Buddhism.
Buddhists pay reverence to the Buddha and other figures, and to a Western-minded person that might look like worship, but it's more in the way that one might revere the image of a saint than of a God.
What tradition of Buddhism do you follow and why?
by rmtn on November 7th, 2011
| 1 person likes this
If you meet the Buddha on the road, kill him!" Why do the Buddhists say this?
by anil m on October 6th, 2011
| 3 people like this
What is your opinion of Buddhism?
by Masaharu on July 7th, 2011
| 2 people like this
If someone reachs Nirvana in the buddhist belief and becomes free from rebirth what happens to the energy if the person can't be reborn.
by jmb516 on October 27th, 2011
| 1 person likes this
Buddha teaches that we should free ourselves from ill feeling towards others - but does that include loathing of truly evil people, too?
by mumpsimus on November 12th, 2011
| 1 person likes this
You're reading Do buddhists believe in a god? Can you tell me a little bit about the religion?
Comments
Thanks.
by Miss Priceless Princess fancies RUSirius on January 3rd, 2009