Is it true that Buddhists don't worship a God?

Question

They don't believe there is a supreme being?

Answer 1

Buddhists do not worship any gods or God. People outside of Buddhism often think that Buddhists worship the Buddha. However, the Buddha (Siddhartha Gautama) never claimed to be divine, but rather he is viewed by Buddhists as having attained what they are also striving to attain, which is spiritual enlightenment and, with it, freedom from the continuous cycle of life and death.

http://www.everystudent.com/features/connecting.htmlMost Buddhists believe a person has countless rebirths, which inevitably include suffering. A Buddhist seeks to end these rebirths. Buddhists believe it is a person's cravings, aversion and delusion that cause these rebirths. Therefore, the goal of a Buddhist is to purify one's heart and to let go of all yearnings toward sensual desires and the attachment to oneself.

Answer 2

Well, as I don't believe in hell, I don't think you'll go there. Where you believe in God though, I'd think that makes it a bit tough to be a Buddhist. So, which god do you believe in? Are you saying you're a Christian? If so, then you'll likely find Christians more than willing to condemn you for being a Buddhist. There are some though who won't. The trouble with Christians is that there is no Christian who is not condemned by at least one other brand of Christians. You simply can't be a Christian in this world, and accepted as such by all the rest of the Christians. There is so much disagreement as to what a Christian is, that it's impossible for them to come to any decision as to what constitutes a "real" Christian. Mormons say they're the only real Christians. Evangelicals say that Mormons aren't Christians. Many protestants claim that Catholics are members of the church of the anti-Christ. Here's my advice: If you believe in God (even if that's the Christian god), that's fine. Follow your heart. Read and know your scriptures. If you're a Buddhist, that's fine too. Read the writings of Buddha. Where you find that Christian and Buddhist sacred texts agree, you really have a pearl of great price. Where you find that the writings disagree, then you really have to work out in your heart what you will do with that knowledge. Ultimately, it might mean that you will need to make a choice. That's ok. Personally, I don't believe that any religion on Earth is privy to the entirety of truth. If you are studying the teachings of Christ and of Buddha, then you are studying the teachings of the two wisest men to ever have lived on Earth. (For the Christians, before you slam me for calling Christ a man, was not he fully man, as well as god, and thus entitled to be called a man as well as god?) Don't be afraid to change your mind or to work through things that puzzle you. Blessings, --Dee

Answer 3

Somehow this seems to be an issue for many.

There are three major branch of Buddhism.
The Tibetan Branch does have some traditions with an awareness of a great power behind all things that could be related to God

Another branch is more philosophical in nature and aims to focus rather on what causes human suffering in human beings (all buddhist have that fondation) So the notion of God is not an issue as what is inside will reveal what may.

Then there is a more intimate branch where they actually can pray to Buddha as God in the same way many will pray to Jesus... in a personal manner....

What brings them all together is that the core efforts is to face what creates suffering in order to experience the true nature of man or Buddhahood.

So there can be an Equivalency...
However, when you do read about some of the great Christian Mystics, one being St-John of the Cross, it is as if he rely on unfolding the Christic state inside the heart. Some will say that for St-John of the Cross, God is not relevant until one has reached the inner sanctum.

Answer 4

Some do, some don't. There are different forms of Buddhism.

My best understanding of this (and I am not a Buddhist, so you might want to take my answer with a grain of salt) is that the Buddha received a revelation (underwent an "awakening") of the true nature and meaning of life. This is said to be the main purpose of humans, and that when we achieve it, we "ascend" (vanish from this plane of existence, enter "Nirvana"). but the Buddha chose not to enter Nirvana, but remain in this world to help others on their spiritual path...thus he would be considered an *example* of faith (like a Christian saint), rather than a god to be worshiped.

There are sects of Buddhism that worship the Buddha as a god, but this does not seem to be the essence of "pure" Buddhism.

Wikipedia has an excellent article on this subject. Look under "Buddhism."

Answer 5

Islam believes and worships the god named Allah. Buddhists, on the other hand, do not have a god. They just follow an "enlightened" path in the hopes that when they are reincarnated their next life will be better.

Answer 6

That's right. We try to attain enlightenment by following the Buddhas teaching. Awareness of self is important because if we are aware of our thoughts, words and actions,we can then control them and thus follow the right path.

It is a very peaceful, accepting belief. I found it after a long search.

Buddhism is nothing like Islam. Islam is closer to Christianity and worships the same God.

I also like the teaching of Jesus because I believe that his message is similar to that of Buddhism. He would have been a great Buddhist (lol)

Answer 7

Like one answer says, there are groups that do and some that don't. Also, like he/she said, neither is bad. Now, to correct "thegreatwhitehype18". I am afraid that he/she was confused about Islam (either that, prejudice, or he/she is very, very stupid - no offense). Those who are of the Islamic faith do worship a God/Higher Being/Supreme Being. However, they use the term "Allah" instead of "God". I hope that helps you...

Answer 8

Buddhists worship a god, but it is a god made of wood and stone and ever other man made object. So, they worship an object they consider a god. Sure they believe that this chubby little wooden man has powers and such, but that chubby little wooden man has no more power than my dog.

Answer 9

It depends on the sect. Most Theravada Buddhists don't worship deities, but many Mahayana Buddhists do.

Answer 10

There are many sects of Buddhism and some have brought in new thought and have started looking like Judaism to a small degree. ORIGINALLY there was no consideration at all of an ongoing hereafter-- it was just the immediate future and immediate future after death. ( I studied in Japan - and Richmond Canada so don't know everything about all)

Answer 11

Greatwhitehype what makes you say Islam doesnt worship God