According to this belief, everything is connected, and nothing exists independently. Some because of filial piety, particular devotion, family tradition, or any combination of the three (or more) reasons. People also pray to Bodhisattvas and Buddhas in a way that is pretty much indistinguishable from prayer to devas. Instead, they encourage devotees to cultivate wholesome states of mind, such as loving-kindness, compassion, patience, and equanimity. Several schools of Buddhism also feature iconography depicting figures such as Buddha statues and stupas, which represent qualities that inspire devotion, positive emotions, and actions in practitioners. When I have told this story in talks, some of my Buddhist listeners say, "Oh, that's nice. I sensed the need to give a definitive answer. Jesus too sometimes teaches in this way. I'm touched by his response to the 4000 people who, having spent three days with him in the desert listening to his teaching, are tired and hungry. I didn't want to spend the whole time trying to explain what Buddhists believe. "According to the tantric understanding, the yidam is a nontheistic deity who embodies one's innate vajra nature, the basic sanity and wakefulness of one's beeing, freed from ego-clinging." Home Faith Beliefs Christianity Do Buddhists Believe In God? Buddhism Vs. Other Religions On The Existence Of God, Buddhisms Non-Theistic Approach To Religion, The Differences Between Buddhism And Monotheistic Religions, The Concept Of Interconnectedness In Buddhism, The Buddhist Understanding Of The Nature Of Reality, The Three Realms Of Existence In Buddhism, Enlightenment Vs. God: The Ultimate Goal Of Buddhism, The Differences Between The Buddhist And Theistic Concepts Of Ultimate Reality, The Role Of Deities In Buddhist Culture And Tradition, The Buddhist Approach To Worship And Veneration, The Differences Between Buddhist And Theistic Approaches To Worship. While you will be able to view the content of this page in your current browser, you will not be able to get the full visual experience. I have the impression that he is not particularly interested in converting people to his way of thinking. Although Buddhism has succeeded as a peaceful religion without incorporating a creator-god, we cannot overlook the fact that the believe in God has done a great service to mankind. For many people, this connection comes in the form of spirituality and a relationship with God. Instead, it emphasizes personal responsibility and the law of karma. However, as we discussed in detail in Buddhist Views on Religion, Race and Tolerance, it is critically important that we show respect and tolerance to everyone regardless of their religions views. Do NOT follow this link or you will be banned from the site! Do the gods help us if we pray to them according to Buddhism? Interfaith dialogue can sometimes be superficial, but it can also go deep. There are several reasons for this. Read more. It is only through this process that a sinner can counter the bad Karma that has accrued to them based on their evil deeds. A Buddhist monk is a bhiksu (Sanskrit) or bhikkhu (Pali), The Pali word seems to pop up more frequently, in my experience, so that's the word I'm using here. The Buddha taught, and Buddhists to the present day believe, that dissatisfaction and suffering, illness, aging, and death are integral parts of life for any sentient being, but the suffering is created by our own attachment and clinging. These God-religions attempt to make you a follower and preach that the only true path to salivation is through God. Camilla Klein is a 34-year-old woman who runs the blog "Christian Educators Academy." He also has a great gift for conveying spiritual truth in the form of images, using the most everyday things to illustrate points he wishes to make: bread, fields, corn, salt, children, trees. Similarly, in Buddhism, there is no belief that someone can wash away their sins simply by asking for forgiveness. Buddhists believe that everything arises due to causes, and nothing can exist independently. Buddhism does not recognize a deity or supreme being who created the universe. Most Buddhists pray to devas, or gods. They are seen as benevolent forces that can help people on their spiritual journey towards enlightenment. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. Also, I felt that a more nuanced answer, however I couched it, would have come across as some version of "No." Browse other questions tagged, Start here for a quick overview of the site, Detailed answers to any questions you might have, Discuss the workings and policies of this site. This question doesn't mention which sect. The eightfold path is much the same regardless to if you are also engaging in a devotional religion. The historical Buddha began as an ordinary person, who gained awakening by training his own mind and apprehending the true nature of reality. There is no divine creator god or supreme being in the Buddhist teachings, so that Buddhism is often called a nontheistic religion. As for SO, good answers to difficult questions do tend to have sources backing them up or as reference, I think. Even "wrathful Buddhas" are called so because they are fierce protectors of the dharma and dharmic people. When you yourself have understood the Dhamma, the Truth, then you will find freedom." No benefit in disagreeing about the details, it seems clear that opinions differ, and we can easily leave it at that. According to Buddhist teachings, a persons karma decides their destination in the reincarnation cycle. _/\_. I learned that, through meditation, I can simply bear witness to them, and allow them to pass on according to their nature - I don't need to identify with them in any way at all. First, that should be included in the answer. Fortunately, , Spread the loveAs humans, we have an innate desire to connect with something greater than ourselves. Wherefore, protect them with diligence. He affirmed our common humanity, without in any way dismissing the obvious differences. (Vajrayana) Buddhism is an non-theistic teaching. The Buddha's response to her distress, as she asks him to heal the child, is to ask her to bring him a mustard seed - from a house where no one has ever died. As for a creator God, traditionally the answer is "no" based Abrahamic religions' definition of the creator God. Stack Exchange network consists of 182 Q&A communities including Stack Overflow, the largest, most trusted online community for developers to learn, share their knowledge, and build their careers. He had no biological father. One of them is the concept and role of a "creator-like" god. I agree with catpnosis that a mere belief in gods, as Buddhism understands them, does not entail anything that contradicts the law of kamma. Buddhists believe that understanding the nature of this interconnectedness leads to compassion towards others. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. Scriptural evidence for the role and compatibility of polytheism within Buddhism? Describing characters of a reductive group in terms of characters of maximal torus. This is all done so that we can try to be like him. However the official Buddhist position is more practical than conceptual, you can believe whatever you want if you do it in a correct wholesome way. It does not store any personal data. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. In front of us was Ajahn Sumedho, who presented the teachings and guided us in meditation, with three other monks. When discussing the concept of god or ultimate reality in Buddhism, it is important to note that the views differ greatly from other major religions such as Christianity, Islam, and Judaism which place a strong emphasis on monotheistic beliefs. Finally, Buddhism isn't just what the founder may have said. Ordinary Buddhists from most, if not all, traditions, tend to succumb to the allure of prayer and supplication; most monasteries are now called "temples", monks are often called . As such, Buddhists do not worship Buddha as a god or deity. We will delve into some of the major Buddhist philosophical concepts like karma, rebirth, and emptiness to understand how these may influence Buddhist attitudes towards God and spiritual entities. Healing Lazarus: A Buddhist's Journey from Near Death to New Life. She is passionate about education and her faith and uses her blog to make a positive impact in the lives of young people. This age-old inquiry has been the subject of philosophical and theological discussions for millennia. Buddhism emphasizes that each individual must take responsibility for their own journey towards enlightenment through self-reflection, contemplation, and mindfulness practices. If you are curious about the role of spirituality in Buddhism or seeking clarity on Buddhist beliefs surrounding God, then keep reading as we uncover the truth behind the question: Do Buddhists Believe in God?. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. In my upcoming book, Aging as a Spiritual Practice (Gotham Books, January 2012), I tell the following story: Once, when I was on a live radio show being interviewed by a Christian talk show host, her first question to me was, "Do you Buddhists believe in God?". Karma is a foundational concept in understanding causality for Buddhists and helps them accept greater moral responsibility. All theistic religions consider their concept of God to have ultimate authority over humans. If miracles were possible, then there would be no need for hospitals and cemeteries. Visit BBC Webwise for full instructions. Instead, it focuses on understanding the complex interdependence between all phenomena. The historical Buddha, may or may not have been a theist. "Good!" The four canonical gospels date from around 70-90 AD, the Pauline epistles having been written before them around 50-60 AD. A Buddhist must want to behave in a morally good way in order to . We don't need a God to consign us to the nether . Modern secular Buddhists are atheists and agnostics. It is not an orthodox Buddhist practice to pray to these deities, but people are people. Cologne and Frankfurt). In contrast to many Western religions, Buddhists do not describe the universe as created by a divine being. Christianity is rooted in love for God first, then for people ( Matthew 22:34-40 ). What is the Buddhist view on the existence of God? Part of HuffPost Religion. Many players have struggled with this elusive combination and become frustrated in their quest for divinity. However, such acts are not done to worship Buddha or the figure itself, but rather to show respect, gratitude and recognition. This particular Buddha sounds a lot like a Judeo-Christian god. From this perspective the energies, deities and other inhabitants of the noosphere can indeed be considered "independent" agents (subject to caveat of universal Emptiness). 3. I was totally fascinated by those monks: by their robes and shaven heads, and by what I heard of their renunciant lifestyle, with its 227 rules of training. The Buddha, like modern sociologists and psychologists, believed that religious ideas and especially the god idea have their origin in fear. This is possible in part because the concerns of the historical Buddha were somewhat orthogonal to the concerns of a devotional religion. Someone who clings to external support, real or imaginary, will not likely take full responsibility for their future, most likely becoming complacent and clinging to positive experiences as divine intervention (and therefore worth clinging to). Or was it simply that another way presented itself that more adequately fulfilled my need at that time? The Buddha taught that everything in the universe is interconnected and constantly changing. It's a syncretic tradition" I think the Dharma is not bound by lineage, tradition, or the like. On one occasion a young mother, Kisagotami, goes to the Buddha, crazy with grief over the death of her baby son. Every phenomenon arises from various factors coming together and disappears when those factors are no longer present. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. However, we don't recognize a creator, primordial supreme Lord that is omnipotent and the owner of all beings, etc. Chogyam Trungpa. The intention was not so much disputing the claim, although I can see that the comment had that effect, as asking for thoroughness in the answer. Many Buddhists place emphasis on the concept of merit-making through acts of giving, paying homage to these beings, and performing rituals associated with them. Do Buddhists Believe In God? Although, I also include instances where native "devas" were re-tooled as Bodhisattvas as well. Buddhists have varying beliefs about the concept of God and divinity. Connect and share knowledge within a single location that is structured and easy to search. - Quora Answer (1 of 3): Buddhism is about how YOU can train YOUR mind to learn how to eliminate those inner dynamics that make you miserable. Instead, it encourages individuals to cultivate inner peace and wisdom through meditation, ethical living, and the pursuit of enlightenment. My good friend, Brother David Steindl-Rast, a Benedictine monk, practiced meditation with us in the early days of Tassajara Zen monastery. Unveiling the Truth About the Almighty. These beings are known as devas, bodhisattvas, and dakinis. A lay minister of the Jodo Shinshu sect of Japanese Buddhism once told me that he tries to explain to his Christian friends that Amida Buddha is a principle, like universal love, rather than a god. How does this jive with Buddha's miracle birth? My Zen colleagues may object that it is a stretch to call Zen meditation "prayer," or to describe it as a method "to reach our divine nature." But we must never stop trying to find common ground. Buddhism does not recognize a single God as a supreme being or creator of the universe. So I was overjoyed to learn of an alternative response to the states of greed, hatred or delusion that arise in consciousness, obscure our vision and lead to all kinds of trouble. By Lewis Richmond, Contributor Buddhist writer and teacher May 13, 2011, 10:57 AM EDT | Updated Jul 13, 2011 As far as I know, many Buddhists believe in multiple gods. Yes, and more importantly it goes against observations; praying to gods doesn't produce any observable change except in the mind of the believer. Ajahn Candasiri is a senior nun at the Amaravati Buddhist Monastery in Hertfordshire. Buddhism is motivated by a promise to escape suffering; Christianity is motivated by love for God and others. How do Buddhists that think of karma figuratively do so about rebirth? They even consider meditation on deity Chenrezig to be to be highest & quickest way to liberation. Buddhism's founder, Siddhartha Guatama, was born into royalty in Nepal around 600 B.C. The philosophy places importance on taking responsibility for ones actions and developing a sense of inner peace and understanding, all without relying on a higher power for guidance. Whether you call Buddhism a religion, philosophy or a way of life, Buddhism is practical, rational and presents a realistic view of life and the world as it exists today. SEE ALSO: 13 Things You Need To Know About Enlightenment What did Buddha say? When Buddhists seek refuge in Buddha, it simply means that they accept Buddha and his teachings as the means through which they can end their suffering. She was raised in Texas and studied Education at Texas A&M University. The most revered place in Sri Lanka is a temple believed to hold one of the Buddha's left canine teeth, said to have been rescued from the Buddha's funeral pyre by one of his close female disciples and smuggled into the country eight centuries later in the long, dark hair of a princess. The Buddhist Understanding Of Causality And Responsibility, The Role Of Karma In The Reincarnation Cycle. There isn't just one historical Buddha. Buddhism ( / bdzm / BUUD-ih-zm, US also / bud -/ BOOD- ), [1] [2] [3] also known as Buddha Dharma, and Dharmavinaya ( transl. At the same time, it is clearly understood that "one's own" mind is not really "one's own" -- because there is no such independent entity as "I", the mind does not have boundaries between outer and inner. that may look like deity worship but are in fact psychoenergetic exercises. After graduating from college, for a year I attended Christian seminary, with the idea of becoming a minister. This was a turning point for me. Buddhists believe in karma which is a cycle of cause and effect. Well, youre not alone. How do Buddhists perceive the concept of God compared to other religions? How to inform a co-worker about a lacking technical skill without sounding condescending. Are you curious about their personalities and traits, and how they might match up with your own? Also, some Theravadin Buddhists have their own devotional practices. Buddhism | God Beliefs. His response to the Pharisees when they criticise his disciples for failing to observe the rules of purity around eating expresses this perfectly: "There is nothing from outside that can defile a man" - and to his disciples he is quite explicit in what happens to food once it has been consumed. Can you take a spellcasting class without having at least a 10 in the casting attribute? Put another way, if we lose our inner peace here, we must look to find or restore it where we lost it within ourselves. Why do buddhist not believe in God? Buddhism is a philosophical and spiritual tradition that originated in ancient India more than 2,500 years ago. His calm in response to the violent storm that arises as he is sleeping I find most helpful when things are turbulent in my own life. How can I handle a daughter who says she doesn't want to stay with me more than one day? As such,Buddha is considered the Enlightened One, the most compassionate and wise person who ever lived in this world. How did this material world come into existence if the ultimate reality is voidness? Is praying to gods allowed? T. here are no locks on the gates of hell. Reincarnation or rebirth is another fundamental concept in Buddhism, referring to the process where consciousness passes from one existence to another after physical death. Buddhism is a religion that does not attach importance to a divine creator, i.e. Wake up to the day's most important news. "And how do you pray?". But after re-reading some of the gospel stories, I would like to meet Jesus again with fresh eyes, and to examine the extent to which he and the Buddha were in fact offering the same guidance, even though the traditions of Christianity and Buddhism can appear in the surface to be rather different. In Chinese Buddhism, it is a pretty common practice to repent of wrongdoings with Buddhas/Bodhisattvas as witnesses of the promise to do better as well. What is the earliest sci-fi work to reference the Titanic? The history of Buddhism goes back to what is now Bodh Gaya, India almost six centuries before Christianity, making it one of the oldest religions still being practiced. Devas as gods in buddhism ,is it a corruption of original teachings..? I learned in Christian seminary that St. Anselm's definition of God was "that than which nothing greater can be conceived." That said, whether or not prayer is advised depends on what you mean by prayer. In order to see this content you need to have both Javascript enabled and Flash installed. How to standardize the color-coding of several 3D and contour plots? Their are many different conceptions of God. The eightfold path is the way that take you to liberation and it can be expressed in practical terms, believing in a God is just a one-point aspect that doesn't represent much, this is the reason . By clicking Accept all cookies, you agree Stack Exchange can store cookies on your device and disclose information in accordance with our Cookie Policy. Who Is the Buddhist God? In Siddartha's previous lives, he had such good karma that he was protected by devas. So when I said to the radio host, "We pray in silence to reach our divine nature," I was not just making that up. A tall order, but one that clearly Jesus fulfills to perfection: "Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.". And even positive states could turn around and transform themselves into pride or conceit, which were of course equally unwanted. When there is more suffering, then that place is a hell to those who suffer. Buddhists believe that nothing is fixed or permanent and that change is always possible. Furthermore, Buddhists believe that it is unreasonable to condemn anyone to eternal hell for their human weakness. This supposed sacred authority can be dangerous as it can blindly strip us of our individuality and freedom. That said, Buddhists do in fact believe in divine creatures, divine people, and divine entities - even if that doesn't necessarily jive with Christian (or other faiths) belief in a singular creator called God. Realising this, he uses his gifts to manifest bread and fish for them all to eat. The Buddha said, "I teach with an open hand." He meant that he shared his experience, methods, and wisdom freely with no secrets. "Rather, it is from within the heart that defilements arise." Incidentally, to show how tolerant the Buddha was, in the Ratana Sutta he says: O beings, listen closely. It's good to be polite." We ourselves create the conditions that either promote well-being and the growth of understanding, or cause harm to ourselves or others. The lack of a creator god in Buddhist doctrine is due to the belief in impermanence that everything in existence is constantly changing and devoid of a permanent self or soul. Ordinary Buddhists from most, if not all, traditions, tend to succumb to the allure of prayer and supplication; most monasteries are now called "temples", monks are often called "priests", statues of Ganesha and other mythical gods are popular in these places. There is also the Adibuddha and Vairocana, the primordial Buddha or the Buddha from which all other Buddha's are an emination of. Starting the Prompt Design Site: A New Home in our Stack Exchange Neighborhood, Statement from SO: June 5, 2023 Moderator Action. Buddhism advocates nothing of the sort. Even still, Mahayana comprises the majority of Buddhist practice in the world, so to say "most Buddhists" referring to Mahayana only would be true just due to sheer numbers. The historical Buddha is a modern construct made up of half forgotten memories and text filtered through a lot of people. Buddha never said that he was the son of God, the messenger of God or a reincarnation of a God. Like many other Catholic priests and monks who have taken up, and even taught, Zen, Brother David did not feel a contradiction between his Catholic contemplative practice and Zen meditation. That in and of itself might be reason to promote prayer, since faith can have beneficial, uplifting effects on the mind, if it weren't misplaced and therefore promoting delusion and clinging as well. For Buddhists, the path to enlightenment involves following the Four Noble Truths and Eightfold Path which include ethical guidelines, mental discipline, and meditation practices. I can see that it would require far more faith than I, at that time, had at my disposal! Buddhist Views on Religion, Race and Tolerance, The Importance of Prostrating in Buddhism, The Two Main Schools of Buddhism: Theravada and Mahayana, The History and Meaning of the Buddhist Flag. The GOD concept on Buddhism is a wide scale subject, and according to my understanding Buddhism explain higher spirits who are called "GOD" in English. Can the supreme court decision to abolish affirmative action be reversed at any time? My answer to that is of course you can. They know that every action has an opposite and equal reaction. I was raised in a Christian church and went to Christian Sunday school. This philosophy has been the driving force behind the Buddhist worldview and influences how they perceive the universe. They believe that nothing stays the same; everything arises, changes, and eventually ceases to be. From a Buddhist point of view, if you are in hell, then you can get yourself out by creating good merit and Karma.
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