2006-10-17 08:43:25 · 13 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
It depends on who you ask, I guess. But most Buddhist traditions don't really believe in a God in the theistic fashion. Instead, the Buddha was just a normal man who through a dedicated practice of meditation and compassion became awakened to a state of consciousness that was (likely) previously unrecognized by man. This state of consciousness liberated Siddhartha (the original Buddha, before he became the Buddha) from the bonds and shackles associated with human life (pain, suffering, fear, death/rebirth).
The Buddha recognized that this world and its pitfalls are all impermenent, much like a dream that can be awakened from. Meanwhile, the state of consciousness (or awareness) that he attained was unending and eternal in nature. So by attaining this consciousness, he was given the title of "Awakened One", which is what the name Buddha translates to.
Thus, instead of a God or holy man, the Buddha more represents a model or guide by which the rest of us can learn from in order to recognize this state of conciousness ourselves. When he is venerated it is due to the fact that he is given credit for being the trail blazer, the very first person to discover this path, and because he ultimately decided to teach what he discovered.
2006-10-17 09:58:17 · answer #1 · answered by KenshoDude 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
he was not a god. According to shinto religion though he was a man that became a god. The name buddha means awaken one. He was given the name buddha after reaching enlightenment so he was just a religious figure that achieve what so many seek and help them in there search for enlightenment.
2006-10-17 09:15:55 · answer #2 · answered by JoeDraco 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Allah... I know you said that do not quote verses and stuff, but I'm sorry, I still have a short verse for you which is relevant and describes Allah, The One God from the Quran. Chapter 112 Say: He is Allah, the One and Only; Allah, the Eternal, Absolute; He begetteth not, nor is He begotten And there is none like unto Him. This description is for me the perfect description of God... and seems logical to me, and therefore I believe in Allah. EDIT: I considered that you asked me not to quote any verses, and therefore I also apologised before doing so... what my opinion of who God is - is found in the verses of the Quran I quoted... this is what I expect God to be, not because its in the Quran, this is what I believe, my personal opinion... and to make thing simple... I just quoted the verses from the Quran which matches my opinion. If you want my insight alone without the verses, then here it is... I believe God to be all powerful, and nothing is comparable to Him... He is beyond human comprehension. The idea of Jesus being 100% god and 100 human does not seem logical to me... Shiva I reject because I believe no-one can see God, and this idea of god having so many arms, wives and kids just like us humans does not appeal to me... Hope this answer is better for you.
2016-05-22 11:23:02 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not even a holy man, necessarily. Just a guy who came up with some new ideas and made them work. Certainly not a god.
2006-10-17 08:49:32 · answer #4 · answered by angk 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
He did not claim Divinity, but he certainly was a very advanced man who showed others the way of how to better themselves and how to get closer to God by action and way of life, not by empty words.
If Rational Spirituality interests you, click on it on the Dhaxem website. It will take you beyond Buddhism. Rational Spirituality is a fast growing knowledge about God and the Universe shared by the thinking people.
2006-10-17 08:59:13 · answer #5 · answered by ? 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Buddha was a seeker, but the Way wasn't presented to Him correctly. So His sins aren't covered by the Blood. I believe He is in a place of rest where the dead go.
2006-10-17 08:52:37 · answer #6 · answered by t_a_m_i_l 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
A holy man only, although followers pray and offer offerings to him. Buddahism is more humanistic-spiritual rather then religio-spiritual.
2006-10-17 08:51:21 · answer #7 · answered by Sick Puppy 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Not holy, but enlightened.
2006-10-17 08:55:52 · answer #8 · answered by MishMash [I am not one of your fans] 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Just a man, a compassionate man, and a wise man, but just a man...
2006-10-17 08:54:33 · answer #9 · answered by Shinkirou Hasukage 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
According to scriptures when asked he claimed he was neither, and to answer the brahmin who had asked him what he was he replied "I am awake"
2006-10-17 08:57:02 · answer #10 · answered by Om 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋