some people believe he was God, and some say he even doesnt beleive in God.
is there any basis of such claim that buddha was an athiest
2006-09-01 10:57:51 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Buddha created a great philosophical system, without a deity.
2006-09-01 11:00:23 · answer #1 · answered by The Gadfly 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
No - he didn't consider those questions to be related to the problem of suffering and its remedy. And, very importantly, the foundation of suffering is the concept of a separate self -- a self that is supported by opinions, perceptions, beliefs, concepts. Concepts such as 'god' or 'no god' or 'does the soul live forever' or 'does the person cease to exist at death' are all that - concepts that are as meaningless as the 'self' we think we are (the 'self' that believes it's in a body and was born and will die, etc.). So, while some may say that Buddhism is an atheistic religion, it's NOT true; the fact is that the Buddha intentionally avoided theological and philosophical discourse in these matters because they're not helpful. He did 'teach' a set of concepts (in his sutras, in the 8-fold path, the 4 noble truths, etc.) but these are meant NOT to be taken as literal truth but, instead, as tools to get to the same experience as him. It's important to avoid the Western tendency of making Buddhism a philosophical and not a religious system; this is called 'Bompu Zen' and it tries to remove the reality of the enlightenment experience. Note that once you have that experience, one realizes that all the concepts and descriptions and beliefs about reality (whether we call it god or tao or whatever) are meaningless. Read '3 pillars of zen' for some good info.
2006-09-01 18:06:48 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
The Buddha was a Buddhist, not an athiest. There's a difference between the two.
2006-09-01 18:11:07 · answer #3 · answered by karibik172003 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well Buddha was the one who started the Buddha religion so of course he didn't believe in God(thats Christianity :/). His never use to be Buddha he changed it. He was originally a prince of India who left the royal family after seeing a starving man, a sick man and a dead body and wondered why there is so much suffering all around so he left and took a trip to find out Enlightenment and how to put your soul to Nirvana. He then gained followers and changed his name to Bhudda. There are to sectors to Buddhism. One thought of him as a God and the other thought of him as a guide. I learned this last year in History class my Freshmen year. I'm a sophmore so its still fresh.
2006-09-01 18:04:19 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Lord buddha created a perfect philosophy to help us deal with the suffering that is life.
There was no need to include G-d in this but I think he made it clear it was down to the individual.
He was not G-d but we buddhists invoke him for protection and assisstance.
2006-09-01 18:08:06 · answer #5 · answered by NoLabel 11 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well, you could take his entire philosophy for example.(Not to say that for sure he was, but there isnt any evidence he ever recognized a god)
2006-09-01 18:01:03 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Just becouse Budda did not belive in any god?
2006-09-01 18:00:53 · answer #7 · answered by svmoinesti 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
budda acted as a God himself although I do not serve him...
he wasnt athiest because athiest is anti-God
2006-09-01 18:06:07 · answer #8 · answered by Lauren D 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋
its the same thing with jesus.. if he doesnt like homosexuals, then WHY did he create someone that developed anal lube??
2006-09-01 18:00:47 · answer #9 · answered by psychstudent 5 · 2⤊ 2⤋