- NEW!
No. Buddhism is an atheistic religion. The "gods" or "spirits" that some Buddists believe in are not gods in the Christian, Muslim, Pagan or even Hindu sense of the word. Mostly, they are personifications of abstract concepts from Buddhist philosophy (kind of like the statue of Justice on top of the Supreme Court), or legendary presentations of notable Buddhists of the past. They were often used to make the religion understandable to simple people who traditionally believed in spirits and gods, like the ancient Tibetans.
"Faith" in Buddhism means something very different from faith in Western religions. The Buddha specifically told his disciples not to believe in anything he said just because it was him who said it, but to rely on their own experience. The "blind faith" that is a feature of Western religions would be considered a major "sin" in Buddhism.
The Buddha himself is not a god, nor is he worshiped in the Western sense of the word. He is just highly respected with a lot of reverence, sort of like Lincoln is in America, just on a larger scale.
by thatsJustme on January 12th, 2010
its a 'way of life' not a religion or worship of gods.....
by Firebrand on January 5th, 2010
Who what?
by Lazs Mouse on January 5th, 2010
Well, yes....Buddha believed in a state of higher enlightenment (which could be defined as a "god") which was attainable through constant study and examination of the self...
http://www.aboutbuddha.org/
Why do Buddhists shave their heads? Rather than being a sign of humility, is this not MORE image-conscious, because of the effort required?
by mumpsimus on November 7th, 2011
| 1 person likes this
If everyone reached enlightenment and were no longer reborn like in the buddhist faith wouldn't the world cease to exist
by jmb516 on September 21st, 2011
| 1 person likes this
What features of Buddhism and other Eastern religions deal with the suffering caused by mental depression?
by jaflor on August 26th, 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 tradition of Buddhism do you follow and why?
by rmtn on November 7th, 2011
| 1 person likes this
You're reading Did Buddha have a God,who?
Your favorite Q&A site is on Facebook! Become a fan to connect with the ever-growing community of Answerbaggers, share your thoughts and find out what Answerbag's up to next!
Comments