One buddhist tells me he belives in many gods who only exist for so long and then are reborn another says that there is god everywhere in us, flowers and tress and is permanate what is true?
2006-07-24 05:59:27 · 7 answers · asked by iwdni 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
This is actually one of the first good questions on this subject that I have seen in a long time.
The problem arises from the use of the word God to translate two very different concepts from Buddhism.
One, the idea of God as "Supreme Being" or "Creator" or the being to whom we are spiritually responsible. This is absolutely denied. Absolutely with no room for compromise. Any Buddhist who tells you he/she believes in a creator or supreme being does not understand the Buddha's view on causation, and should immediately study a text like Abhidharmakosha with commentaries, which lists all the reasons why such a being cannot exist.
Two, the idea of greater creatures than humans that live in Paradise realms, live lives of pleasure for unimaginably long amounts of time, and may even have some powers that humans would consider miraculous is a type of "God" found in the sutras. These are thought to exist. They still die eventually and are still trapped in the wheel of rebirth. They are not all-powerful, they didn't create the world, and they cannot solve our spiritual problems. They don't "save" us or send us to heaven or hell. They are just beings that, when compared to humans, are more powerful and live in heaven-like realms until they die. Anyone can collect the causes for being reborn in such a realm, but it is a useless goal as it is still samsaric in nature. By the way, worshipping these Gods is useless and is not a Buddhist practice.
Just as an aside, there is a third concept that gets translated as "God." These are the Yidams of Tantra. I can't say too much here, but Yidam does not mean God. It means mind-bound. They aren't "gods" of any sort in the Western sense, but more like meditational aids.
As for a concept like some sort of all-pervading mind that also exists in flowers and trees, I would be interested to know what sutra your friend thinks establishes this concept, because it also is not Buddhist.
It is unfortunate that the word God in English has been used to translate both types of being from the Sutras, but Pali, Sanskrit, and Tibetan are not like English at all, and sometimes bad choices have been made in translating certain terms. That's where the confusion comes from.
Quick update: Lots of nonsense precedes this answer. I would like to know where these people studied? My lineage is from the Masters of Sera Mey monestary and Rashi Gempil Ling. My teacher's teacher was the tutor to the Dalai Lama. I've had a real Buddhist education, I'm not some guy who just read a bunch of books. My teacher's other main teacher was head of the Tantric College in Tibet before the Chinese Invasion (he recently died a very, very old man.) I learned from people who went through the traditional 20 year course to become Geshes. This isn't from some Lama Surya Das book or some new age coloring book. It is sad how messed up the Dharma is in the West - don't believe most of what you hear unless the person can tell you WHO taught them WHAT sutra or at least what LINEAGE they studied in, as I just did.
2006-07-24 06:16:14 · answer #1 · answered by ? 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Different Buddhists believe different things. For some, Buddha was an incarnation of the Hindu god Vishnu. For others Buddhism barely qualifies as a religion.
2006-07-24 13:02:42 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Buddhism teaches that there are several realms of existence. Mention is made of the "god" realm, but that should not be viewed literally - it is meant to be a very refined existence, "god-like" by our standards. Bodhisattvas commonly get referred to as gods / goddesses, but this is incorrect. The Bodhisattvas seen commonly in Tibetan paintings are are intended as meditation tools in the main. To be honest, if you are interested in Buddhism, it is best not to get tied up with whether or not these figures are gods. Enquire, meditate, study, make up your own minds. No rules about belief in Buddhism!
2006-07-24 17:08:29 · answer #3 · answered by paul r 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Buddhism, as a spiritual path, does not revere any specific deity. However, Buddhism can be practiced in conjuction with any religion or deity affiliations. You basically get to choose whatever God you want to. I, personally, believe that God is everywhere through space and time. I am Pagan, though. In any case, you can believe whatever you want. :-)
2006-07-24 13:03:59 · answer #4 · answered by Phoenix's Mommy 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
esoteric buddhism feels, as far as i understand, that the buddha, the dhyani buddhas, etc. merely represent priciples of consciousness and are not deities per se. in practice, however, i have found that you can "invoke" for example green tara and ask for healing, and without doubt you will experience her "presence" and the healing energy. the same for vajrasattva, and vajradhara, etc. they definitely will come to "visit" if you ask. actually, check out *the buddha book* by lillian too---amazing stuff! and you'll see how to do various "rituals", etc. very highly recommended. also, check out www.sahajayoga.com for some excellent kundalini energy! and, check out *the complete idiot's guide to toltec wisdom* for, believe it or not, a good explanation of esoteric buddhist thought. how can that be? the inner truths know no "religion". good luck!
2006-07-24 13:12:15 · answer #5 · answered by drakke1 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i am more inclined to guru #2. i don't feel buddhists need to believe in specific gods. i like #2
2006-07-24 13:03:03 · answer #6 · answered by Sufi 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i'm not buddist, but i would research other religions before i stick to one. i would research, and make sure who, and what i am dying for. and does it truly makes sense.
2006-07-24 13:04:54 · answer #7 · answered by Ms. B 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋