How come Budah is considered a God?

Question

He's real but the only thing he did was live in the forest.

Answer 1

Buddah is not considered a god, but he is revered as a spiritual messenger who revealed the essential truths and tenets of Buddhism. He is "deified" in the sense that he achieved enlightenment or "Nirvana".

In Buddhism, a Buddha (Sanskrit, Pāli) is any being who has become fully awakened or enlightened, has permanently overcome anger, greed, and ignorance, and has achieved complete liberation from suffering, better known as Nirvana. It is commonly used to refer to Siddhartha Gautama, the historical founder of Buddhism, who lived in ancient India. Buddha literally means "awakened" or "that which has become aware". It is the past participle of the Sanskrit root budh, i.e. "to awaken", "to know", or "to become aware". The word Buddha is simply a title that means 'The Awakened One'.

A typical misconception tends to link Buddha as the Buddhist counterpart of the entity known as God; however, Buddhism is non-theistic. The commonly accepted definition of the term "God" refers to a being who not only rules but actually created the Universe in the Beginning. The Buddha never claimed to have this ability. Besides, normal humans can never become God, while any enlightened one can be referred as a Buddha.

In the Pali Canon Buddha refers to anyone who has become Enlightened (i.e. having awakened to the truth, or Dharma) on their own, without a teacher to point out the Dharma, in a time when the teachings on the Four Noble Truths or the Eightfold Path do not exist in the world. Later teachings of the Mahayana have sometimes widened this meaning to also include the disciples of a Buddha as a separate type of Buddha.

Generally, Buddhists do not consider Siddhartha Gautama to have been the only Buddha. In the Pali Canon there is a mention of Gautama Buddha as being the 28th Buddha (see List of the 28 Buddhas). A common buddhist belief is that the next Buddha will be one named Maitreya.

Buddhism teaches that anyone can become awakened and experience Nirvana. Theravada Buddhism teaches that one doesn't need to become a Buddha to become awakened and experience Nirvana, since an Arahant also has those qualities. Some Buddhist texts such as the Lotus Sutra imply that all beings will become Buddhas at some point in time.

Answer 2

Buddha is not considered a God by anyone except the ignorant or un-informed (you are obviously the second one who is seeking answers- way to go!) Here are some from Wikipedia- there are heaps of sites that explain more if you search for Buddha (not Budha nor Keanu Reeves, AKA The Little Buddha)

"In Buddhism, a Buddha (Sanskrit, Pāli) is any being who has become fully awakened or enlightened, has permanently overcome anger, greed, and ignorance, and has achieved complete liberation from suffering, better known as Nirvana. It is commonly used to refer to Siddhartha Gautama, the historical founder of Buddhism, who lived in ancient India. Buddha literally means "awakened" or "that which has become aware". It is the past participle of the Sanskrit root budh, i.e. "to awaken", "to know", or "to become aware". The word Buddha is simply a title that means 'The Awakened One'.
A typical misconception tends to link Buddha as the Buddhist counterpart of the entity known as God; however, Buddhism is non-theistic. The commonly accepted definition of the term "God" refers to a being who not only rules but actually created the Universe in the Beginning. The Buddha never claimed to have this ability. Besides, normal humans can never become God, while any enlightened one can be referred as a Buddha.
Generally, Buddhists do not consider Siddhartha Gautama to have been the only Buddha. In the Pali Canon there is a mention of Gautama Buddha as being the 28th Buddha (see List of the 28 Buddhas). A common buddhist belief is that the next Buddha will be one named Maitreya.

Buddhism teaches that anyone can become awakened and experience Nirvana. Theravada Buddhism teaches that one doesn't need to become a Buddha to become awakened and experience Nirvana, since an Arahant also has those qualities. Some Buddhist texts such as the Lotus Sutra imply that all beings will become Buddhas at some point in time."

Wow I didn't know that last bit, either!

Answer 3

He never should be considered God!

Somebody is terribly mistaken somewhere down the line.

Buddha was born in a royal family in India about 2550 years ago. He did his meditation in the forests of Himalaya - yes. But once he attained Buddha hood, he did come to the city areas and lived in Aramaya's (Temples) built at that time period. Some of these temples were as big as few acres with thousands of monks living in them. All these are facts and not fairy tales. Those places are still to be found and identified in India.

So sir, you have been misguided somewhere !-

Answer 4

Buddhism, because of its leniancy issues of belief and the diverse terrain/people encompassed, has many sects and some still cling to the notion of dieties within their religious doctrine.

In general Buddha is not viewed as a diety ... merely an enlightened individual who sought to find resolution and peace in in the world despite its unfairness and inequities towards people.

Christians often speak of Buddah as a god because they have very little understanding and education on the topic of religious beliefs outside of Christianity ... so they make the poor assumption other religions operate similarly to their own and spread ficticious "facts" about non-Christian religions in their ignorance.

Answer 5

Maybe because he ISN'T God? He was real yes and had some nice ideas, but Budda didn't/couldn't and can't save you.
Only God can save you. Luke 19:10 "The Son of Man is come to seek and save that was lost"
Romas 10:9 says that if you confess with our mouth that Jesus was raised from the dead - you SHALL be saved.

Answer 6

I don't think Buddhists consider him a god. Buddhism is a way of life and Buddha just happened to be the founder.

Answer 7

What in the world are you talking about. If you don't know enough about it to even spell his name right, what pray tell made you think you knew the 1st thing about the man did or didn't do? Get some facts b-4 you bashing my religion, and I'll avoid weighing in on the total absurdity of Christian dogma.

Answer 8

If you read Budha, you will not find anywhere that he himself decllared as a GOD. For having GOD It is must that 'there is no death for him' For a GOD no other person should superior to him. There would be no mother, father, teacher etc.etc., But in case Budha, everybody knows that, he was son, brother, husband, pupil, and most important that he dies, after becomming old and weak. Budha in facts might be one of the messengers of the ALMIGHTY., WHO WAS BORN JUST TO GIVE MESSAGES OF THE GOD. as to do worship of GOD, who is alone. He never taken birth, no one creates to him. He never dies. He/GOD created everything.

Answer 9

Good question. In life, Buddha was the "enlightened one". He was human, not a god. I doubt very much if he wanted to be considered a god. He simply considered himself to be enlightened by God.

Answer 10

Actually that depends on the sect of Buddism...many of them don't believe in a "God" per say but they believe in a high energy power in the univerise...he's not considered a God to them but more of a prophet....