Do Buddist believe in God?

Question

If they don't, then what do they believe in?

Answer 1

No. Buddhism is an atheistic religion in that they do not believe in deities.

Answer 2

The Buddha was silent on the issue of god and the afterlife because he knew that belief and perceptions were part of the very problem: the concept of an individual self/ego that believes it's a separate individual with a separate consciousness that is born and will die.
Buddhism has its basis in the teachings from the historical Buddha (an Indian prince named Siddhartha Gautama). Guatama looked around him and saw that life was suffering (disease, old age, death, nothing lasted) and was depressed and scared. He then went to resolve the issue of suffering and did so by realizing what he (and everything) really is. And that the concept of our individual selves is an illusion and that this very concept is the foundation of suffering. He then developed a set of teachings (they were put in 'sutras') to lead people to the same experience he had. The teachings are summarized in the 4 noble truths (the overall plan: that suffering exists and that there's a way out) and the 8-fold path (8 things that can be done to train the mind to get to the same experience the buddha had -- and, until that experience, following these 8 things will naturally reduce the attachment to the concept of the self and yield less suffering).
Buddha's teachings are not meant to be taken as Truth; they're meant to be taken as tools. As part of his teachings, he taught that there is no real self -- not in this life and never. Therefore, he got rid of the idea of reincarnation (which requires an individual self or soul) and introduced rebirth which is more in line with the non-dualistic nature of things.
Buddhism spread to different countries, where it was integrated into the native religions and cultures. Some people treat buddhism as a magic-based religion where they worship the buddha along with their ancestors, praying to get things (much like people do with god). Different buddhist sects have different practices. Tibetan Buddhism integrated Tibet's native religion and we get a form of reincarnation in that sect (but enlightened Tibetan masters will not support that concept). There are many other sects that are popular -- e.g. Pure Land Buddhism. Zen, in my biased opinion, is the closest to the original buddha's teachings because it emphasizes the direct experience (enlightenment). Zen uses koan study and other methods to train the mind in order for it to ultimately realize itself.
Final note: Westerners (even many online sources and books) tend to misperceive Buddhism as a philosophy (something that Zen masters refer to as 'Bompu Zen'); this is not in line with the buddha's intent of using his teachings NOT as a philosophy but as a set of tools to realize the same experience he had.

Answer 3

Unlike what many people think, Buddhists do believe in a Divine force in the Universe. And then some Buddhists believe in 'spirits' that are Divine and are protectors. Tibetan Buddhism believes in Tara, Pure Land Buddhists believe in Kwan Yin, all offer supplication to Buddha himself and there is even thought to be a future Buddha that will come to Earth, Maitreya. Then there are many manifestations of Buddha.

Answer 4

No impressive answer, yet, so... Buddhists DO have gods, maximum left over from HIndu and Tibetan mythology that grew to develop into mixed into Buddhist technique (seem up eco-friendly Tara, for instance, or Dakinis...) they believe that Jesus became born and lived as a guy on earth and that he had an really good message, yet so a techniques as believing he's a Savior or A God, no... Buddhists surely experience as although "ideas" lives perpetually, and that "ideas" is the nearest element to "god"...

Answer 5

the answer is kinda long.but in a sense Buddhist do believe in a higher being.it may not be the god that everyone prays to,but the sense of believing in something bigger than them is there.in every different sect of Buddhist cultures there is different emphasis on what has more importance than other.so it all depends on what country you ask the Buddhist,if he/she believes in god.he/she will say "of course i do".in a major sense he/she(you) can become a godly figure by attaining enlightenment.anyone can become a better and more worldly person.all things are important not just possessions and money,and power.these are the corrupts of your soul.

Answer 6

Most Buddhism is atheistic. Some Buddhists, particularly in Japan, worship deities from other faiths.

Answer 7

buddhists beleive in the buddha and in his teachings.The eight fold path, which is a wonderful way to live, their meditation which brings instant peace. They are followers of an enlightened soul called the buddha, who never claimed to be a god.

Answer 8

I believe that Buddhist strive for knowledge. It is a very interesting "religion". I bet God approves.

Answer 9

Buddhism is a spiritual practice....not a religion per se. There is no god in their practices, but they do not prevent their adherants from worshipping the god of their choice.

Answer 10

Some do......

Strange isn't it considering they're supposed to be atheists.