Does Buddhism include Creation stories? Buddhists, do you, as an individual, believe in Creation or Evolution?

Answer 1

There is a common belief that the need for God as an explanation of the unknown has been eliminated by science. This may well be so, but not all religions believe in a 'God of the gaps'.
Buddhism can get along quite happily without needing to speculate on the existence or non-existence of a First Cause. The real threat to all religions comes not from the closing of the gaps which God used to occupy (such as origin of the species), but from the doctrine of mechanistic materialism, which teaches that there is no spiritual dimension to human life. Buddhism at present seems to be the only coherent philosophical system which is capable of resisting materialism and emphasising human spiritual potential.

Buddhism is the only major religion which acknowledges a large area of ignorance about external matters. Unlike other religions, it does not even attempt to answer questions like 'What is the purpose of life, the universe and everything?' . Buddhism regards such questions as at best unanswerable and probably intrinsically meaningless. The only purpose of life is what we personally give to our own lives. Buddha suggested that the most meaningful use of life was to seek liberation from ignorance, suffering and the cycle of samsaric rebirth, both for one's self and others. But this 'meaning' does not reside 'in the sky' or in any way outside of the individual, and it cannot be imposed, but must be freely chosen.
Most other religions go further than Buddhism, and if asked 'What is the purpose of life, the universe and everything?' will usually come up with an answer along the lines of 'To fulfil the will of God.'
This invites the further question of 'What is the will of God', which usually brings forth an answer to the effect that 'God's will is to create life, the universe and everything'.

Buddhism is the one exception and is quite happy with the theory of evolution. In fact Buddhist philosophy actually requires evolution to take place - all things are seen as being transient, constantly becoming, existing for a while and then fading.

Most religions teach that they are the one true path to salvation and all those people who chose (or were brought up in) the wrong paths will be judged by the True Religion's Founder and thrown into hell. This doctrine is known as exclusivism or judgementalism. Buddhism is not exclusivist. To a Buddhist any person guided in their activities by compassion is regarded as following a beneficial spiritual path.

Answer 2

I have never read so many ignorant answers from people who know nothing about Buddhism (especially Watchmans ridiculous comment) Although a few were good!

Buddhists know that the world always existed and therefore was never created. It is only a humans need to satisfy his in capacity to understand non-dualism in needing there to be a beginning and an end that he creates the concept of creation in his mind. The world in eternal yet impermanent in name and form. There is the manifested world which we can perceive with our senses and other worldly realms which is the unmanifested which we cannot perceive with our normal senses.

Unfortunately in the West many have the "belief" that there is no other reality than what they can perceive, what they have been taught and what some books (such as the bible )and other forms of information tell them. The best source of truth and real knowledge is experienced directly and comes from within...this is your God essence within you or the true self. Your job is to reconnect with this source.

Answer 3

We have the story of how human is here on earth, but I personally never read about the creation of human and so forth.
In Buddhism there are natural laws governing all the process in life, namely :
Utu-niyama: the caloric order
Bija-niyama: the germinal order
Kamma-niyama: the moral order
Citta-niyama: the psychical order
Dhamma-niyama: natural phenomenal sequence
So we don't rely on the creator to manage all things in this world.
I personally believe in evolution since there is a term in Buddhism, Anicca, that everything that has condition will change, there is nothing eternal in this world.
You can visit the source I list to know more.

Answer 4

Buddhist do not believe in the creation theory or a almighty God.The concept of god and its associated creation myths have been protected and defended by believers who need these ideas to justify their existence and usefulness to human society.All believers claim to have received their respective scriptures as Revelation; in other words, they all profess to come directly from one god.Each god-religion claims that it stands for universal peace and universal bortherhood and other such high ideals.

However great the ideals of the religions might be, the history of the world shows that some religions also helped in spreading superstitions.Some have stood against science and the advancement of knowledge, leading to ill-feelings,murders and wars.In this respect, the god-religions have failed in their attempt to enlighten humankind!

The time has come for them to realise that the path of real purification is through love,compassion and understanding!

Answer 5

Evolution....Then Devolution.

Answer 6

We tend to believe in the theory of evolution.
If you would seriously like to learn more about Mahayana Buddhism, then go to www.sgi-usa.org




nam myoho renge kyo
nam myoho renge kyo
nam myoho renge kyo

Answer 7

Buddhism is like psychology, everything seems to be okay if it feels good and doesn't physically hurt someone.

Answer 8

Buddhists tend not to hang out here.

If they did hang out here, they'd be too busy hanging out on "the road" to see if they could kill Buddha :)