I mean christians, muslims, pagans and atheists seem to belive buddha was a god, which he never has been nor claimed to be.. just proves how many people talk without knowing even the basics
2006-07-19 11:51:16 · 26 answers · asked by yupi666 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Buddha was a leader of enlightenment.
However, since his teaching do envoke worship of purging desire, and people make statues of him he gets that title.
I like his teaching but find it lacking so I am a Christian!
Jesus lacks nothing! Enlightenment + dealing with sins!!!
2006-07-19 11:57:35 · answer #1 · answered by happymrzot 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Most people from the West are used to a religion having a god. It just doesn't compute that you can have a religion without having a god. They don't know very much about Buddhism, so the assumption that Buddha was/is a god is a natural one to make.
It's also the same reason why a lot of people insist that Buddhism isn't a religion, it's just a philosophy.
2006-07-19 19:18:39 · answer #2 · answered by Muffie 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm Pagan and I never thought Buddha was a God.
Actually Buddha isn't even a person. It's just simply a term applied to someone who has complete and total spiritual enlightenment. Thus, this said enlightened person is called Buddha.
2006-07-19 19:06:20 · answer #3 · answered by Joa5 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Siddartha Gautama, the first Buddha, never claimed to be a god. He was born a Hindu and practised this religion until his late 20's. He reacted strongly to many of the teachings of Hinduism, because he tried it and said it didn't work. Hinduism can have as many as 30,000,000 gods. Buddha made it clear that there were no gods and, even if there were, they were of no use to people. Many people seem to worship Buddha, but they are not. They are venerating or revering him. They admire his teachings and living example to others.
2006-07-19 18:58:31 · answer #4 · answered by Buffy 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Mahayana sect of Buddhism actually DOES recognize the Buddha as a god of sorts (take a look at the doctrine of Trikaya).
Please do some research of your own before making a fool of yourself here on the World Wide Web.
2006-07-19 19:08:55 · answer #5 · answered by jimbob 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's an Ideology. In Christian faith, ideology that say we don't need God's saving grace, is an Ideology against God's written Word.
Buddha never claimed to be God. But some of His thoughts are contrary to God's Salvation message in the bible.
If I loved Buddha's Word more than the Word of God, it would be an idol in my life.
2006-07-19 19:13:49 · answer #6 · answered by t_a_m_i_l 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Buddha was a spiritual person who has been revered by Buddhists and non- Buddhists alike. However one forgets that Hinduism and Buddhism are intertwined like no other religoins can ever be.
Buddha was born a Hindu. Hindu religion considers Buddha to be one of the 10 'avataars' of Vishnu, the Hindu God. According to Hindu religion everytime mankind forgets the existence of God and reverts to evil deeds, Vishnu comes down in one of his 'avataars' to restore peace and harmnony. So it was for Buddha. hich is why some Hindus pray to Buddha.
P.S. - Only 9 avataars of Vishnu has been down to earth - the tenth 'Kalki' is yet to come.
2006-07-19 19:12:03 · answer #7 · answered by estee06 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Some sects of Buddhism *do* worship the Buddha as a god. Especially in Japan where they are taught to worship different Buddhas as gods in order to reach a type of Buddhist "heaven" where they can spend eternity trying to attain Nirvana.
2006-07-19 18:54:58 · answer #8 · answered by Dysthymia 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
AT the Great Buddha in Japan, and in Richmond BC Canada the Japanese accept Buddha as a or the god. They also speak of working ones way to HEAVEN! This I saw on the chalk boards in the pre youth class rooms.
There are SO MANY sect--------------You know about ALL of them?
2006-07-19 19:19:53 · answer #9 · answered by whynotaskdon 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because he represents a perfect state of being - so it's easier for people to relate to him as a God.
Buddhism is not really about worshipping Buddha, but rather meditating to find a state of perfection - Nirvana.
He reached Nirvana (state of perfection when you die) and people of that religion are looking to reach Nirvana.
However, things have been muddled for some rites of Buddhism and there's a lot or superstition mixed in that has lead to a lot of worship of spirits and ancestors.
At least this is what I picked up from my Monk Chat in Thailand
Bigez3804 (see his post to me below):
News flash to you too...I spoke with monks while in Thailand and that is what they said. It is death - but it is Nirvana they seek - the perfect state - enlightment. They believe that they have reached perfection when they no longer need to be part of this world, no worldly goods, materials, etc. They are reincarnated until they reach this perfection. Buddha achieved it and he is no longer coming back to Earth. He is looked up to because of this achievement and his teachings.That is the goal and that is what they are mediating for.
This question is not a debate about whose religion is right or wrong, it's about why people insist Buddha is a God.
2006-07-19 19:00:33 · answer #10 · answered by Sirena 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
While the Buddha might not be a god in Buddhism, oddly enough, the Buddha is a god in Hinduism. See for yourself:
http://members.tripod.com/~srinivasp/mythology/avatars.html
2006-07-19 19:00:19 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋