Is Buddhism idolatry?

Question

Give me evidence along with your answers.

Answer 1

Buddhists are not idol worshippers but ideal worshipper!
Although it is customary amongst Buddhists to keep Buddha images and to pay their respects to the Buddha, Buddhists are not idol worshippers.
Idolatry means erecting images of unknown gods and goddesses in various shapes and sizes and to pray directly to these images as if the images themselves are the gods.The prayers are a request to the gods for guidance and protection.The gods and goddesses are asked to bestow health,wealth,prosperity and to provide for various needs;they are also asked to forgive transgressions.
The'worshipping' at the Buddha image is quite a different matter.Buddhists revere the image of the Buddha as a gesture of respect to the greatest,wisest,most benevolent,compassionate and holy man who has ever lived in this world!The worship of the Buddha really means paying homage,veneration and devotion to the Buddha and what He represents,and not to the stone or metal figure!
The image is a visual aid that helps one to recall the Buddha in the mind and to remember His great qualities which inspired millions of people from generations to generations throughout the civilized world.Buddhists use the stature as a symbol and as an object of concentration to gain peace of mind.When Buddhists look upon the image of the Buddha,they put aside thoughts of strife and think only of peace,serenity,calmness and tranquility.The stature enables the mind to recall this great man and inspires devotees to follow his example and instructions.In their minds, devout Buddhists feel the living presence of the Buddha.This feeling makes their acts of worship vivid and significant.The serenity of the Buddha image influences and inspires them to observe the right path of conduct and thought!

However,it is not obligatory for every Buddhist to have a Buddha image to practise Buddhism.Those who can discipline their mind and the senses,can certainly do so without an image as an object.Simply respecting the images without following the Buddha 's teaching is not the way to find salvation."HE WHO SEES THE DHAMMA SEES ME"

Answer 2

Hmm, that's a tough question because how can you give evidence to what an individual is (thinking of) using an "idol" or other objects for? Some people see other people bow in front of a statue or tree or another person, etc and think that's the thing to do without ever questioning as to why it's being done; some people worship an object because they think that the particular object can somehow transfer 'power;' and some use objects because the objects serve as reminders (like "post-it" notes) what they need to keep mindful of, etc.

Is Buddhism idolatry? No, the statues or other objects are there to serve as reminders---at least that's how the objects should be viewed, but how can we really tell what each person is using the object for since the reason exist in the 'mind?' Some religions employ statues of saints, rosaries, mala or prayer beads, holy water, etc...


P.S. Some people don't use any items at all and still be practicioners...it depends how strong a person's mental faculties are.

Answer 3

Guessing that you're looking at the practice of having statues and pictures of the Buddha, that has more to do with Eastern tradition and thought in general than Buddhism in particular. Having such things around is supposed to bring good luck and blessings upon a household, much like a person who carries a rabbit's foot or a four-leaf clover, but the concept of luck is MUCH more integral to daily life in Eastern societies. They're symbols with superstition attatched, but not worshipped. Kneeling before a statue of the Buddha is no different than a church having a cross carved on the altar.

Answer 4

Buddhism is a way of life following the philosophies of Buddha
they dont worship Buddha , they do not see him as a God
there is no idolatry in any way
it is about respect and gaining enlightenment

Answer 5

Idol Worship is a concept which exists in Judaism, Christianity and Islam. These three religions worship the same deity in actuality, although their recognition on the validity later prophets, revelations and religious laws differs.

According to the Webster’s Dictionary an idol is “An image or material object representing a deity and worshipped as such; (in the Bible) a deity other than God.” Likewise a pagan is defined as “People observing a polytheistic religion; a person who is not a Christian, Jew or Muslim.”

These definitions in our own "english" dictionary clearly reflect the bias and illogical thought process to which the conclusion (that Buddhist are idol worshippers) is made: Any religion or belief, which is not one’s own religion, tradition or belief, is wrong and evil. This concept is due to arrogance and ethnocentrism; idol worship is simply a negative term that ethnocentrist apply to people of another faith.

If idol worship is simply the “materialization” of something on earth as “divine,” then all religions can be accused of this.

Within the Jewish, Christian and Muslim religions “things of the earth” are considered to be a divine object of devotion. In Christianity, the Eucharist is considered holy. Christians kneel down in Church before a cross and, in some sects, statues of Christian saints. In Judaism, the Torah (the written word of their God) is an object of high reverence. The original and duplicated tablets with the Ten Commandments inscribed are objects of worship. Muslims pray and bow daily facing Mecca, their holy city; they do not face any other direction.

Those who are cynical towards practitioners of western religions might ask: Is their God only residing in Mecca? Does that written slab of paper or stone contain God’s divine presence? Does that bread, wine or statue contain special powers? These cynical questions are not only rude but ridiculous, because any Jew, Christian or Muslim knows that these objects and places
are a means by which they remember, recall and respect their God.

Likewise, those who view Buddhist statues as bizarre idols are akin to the same type of individuals who misunderstand the Christian, Jewish and Muslim religious objects and places of worship as idol worship.

Objects of worship are meant as a reminder and skillful way for humans to understand and relate to religion. Western individuals who misunderstand Buddhism, since Buddhist has objects of worship, must review this misunderstanding since their own religious traditions contain practices with objects of worship.

Answer 6

Do Not Follow Your Parents' Religion Blindly

[5:104] When they are told, "Come to what GOD has revealed, and to the messenger," they say, "What we found our parents doing is sufficient for us." What if their parents knew nothing, and were not guided?

[5:105] O you who believe, you should worry only about your own necks. If the others go astray, they cannot hurt you, as long as you are guided. To GOD is your ultimate destiny, all of you, then He will inform you of everything you had done.
http://www.submission.org/suras/sura5.ht...

No Compulsion in Religion

[2:256] There shall be no compulsion in religion: the right way is now distinct from the wrong way. Anyone who denounces the devil and believes in GOD has grasped the strongest bond; one that never breaks. GOD is Hearer, Omniscient
[2:257] GOD is Lord of those who believe; He leads them out of darkness into the light. As for those who disbelieve, their lords are their idols; they lead them out of the light into darkness - these will be the dwellers of Hell; they abide in it forever.

Source(s):

http://www.submission.org/q-t.html...

Answer 7

No it's not. Buddha's message had nothing to do with idol worshipping, that's what ignorant people do. Buddha tried to bring an end to idol worshipping.

Answer 8

from who's view yours or the Buddhist's from yours Buddhism must be something strange bud you must understand that there are Protestant Buddhist(Japanese)or simple Buddhist's(Vietnamese,Chinese)or radical Buddhist's (shaolins)so it's your choice

Answer 9

You don't know jack about Buddhism, do you?