Many see Buddhism as an atheistic belief...?

Question

but as a Buddhist I do not. The Buddhist sees many supernatural forces in the Universe and even though Buddhists do not believe in a personified 'God' that does not make them atheists. To practice Buddhism as a 'philosophy' means it is being practiced with the intellect and not with the heart...which is OK, but do not imagine Buddhism to be the same as atheism.

Nor is the statue or thought of The Buddha being 'worshiped'. The Buddha is being honored, not worshiped. If The Buddha can reach enlightenment, then so can every human being on Earth.

Any thoughts?

Answer 1

People call Buddhism "Atheist" only because Buddhism does not profess a "Personal God"...But it is certainly not atheistic in real terms

Buddhism believes in re-birth
Buddhism believes in Karma
Buddhism believes in non-violence
Buddhism believes in Mantra
Buddism belives in Tantra and siddhis

which takes it away from atheism.

Moreover Budha never said God does not exist...When asked by his disciple, if God exists...He kept quiet...and he was right because the attributeless, shapeless and formless Consciousness can not be described, it can only be experienced.

So Buddhism does not actually rejects God, but stresses more on experiencing God rather than explaining or fighting for Him, as most of the religions are doing

Answer 2

I think it is possible in a nontraditional way to be spiritual and be an atheist. I think there is a spirituality that comes from nonsupernatural reflection of the interconnectedness of humans and all living creatures on the planet. I love Buddhist philosophy, my favorite author is Thich Nhat Hanh. I also meditate and feel I am a much more centered person for it. I stop short of saying I would be a Buddhist more because of the reincarnation beliefs than anything else. I don't believe in reincarnation anymore than I do in heaven. I think that seeing supernatural forces depends on the individual Buddhist and that varies from person to person. Many Buddhist see the supernatural forces or deity thing as a complete nonissue. Buddhism is essentially about living one's life so as to gain enlightenment; there may or may not be some gods or spirits around, but they're not of any real importance.



No one saves us but ourselves,
No one can and no one may.
We ourselves must walk the path,
But Buddhas clearly show the way.

The Dhammapada, 165.

Answer 3

I find it a grave injustice that in order to be considered a religion a belief structure must fall into a narrowly defined theistic or polytheistic category. I will agree that there is not a personified god in Buddhism yet and energy that can be found everywhere and in everything.

With Buddhism there is ritual, and tradition that lead the follower down a path of self improvement. Buddhism incorporates a love an respect for all creatures.

I find it non-sense that because there is no focus on worship, rather an inner quest of spirituality, purity and enlightenment, that some will not consider it a religion. I find that a great amount of good comes from Buddhism, which unfortunately cannot be said of all religions.

Answer 4

Buddhism is atheistic insofaras Buddha never placed any emphasis on believing in deities as a means of attaining nirvana. There is no theology in Buddhism just an emphasis on practical philosophy and moral precepts. Anyone can have their own personal beliefs and still be Buddhist but they should not try and mould Buddhism into something that it's not. There are no Gods or saviours in Buddhism- belief in metaphysical phenomena such as rebirth does not equate with a belief in God.

Answer 5

Sadhu delphic.
The Buddha condemned godlessness by which He meant the denial of worship and renunciation,the denial of moral,spiritual and social obligations,and the denial of a religious life.He recognized most emphatically the existence of moral and spitritual values.He acclaimed the supremacy of the moral law.Only in one sense can Buddhism be described as atheistic,namely,in so far as it denies the existence of an eternal omnipotent God who is the creator and ordainer of the world and who miraculously save others.

The word 'atheism' carries a number of disparaging implications which are in no way applicable to the Buddha's teaching.The word 'atheism' is often associated with a materialistic doctrine that knows nothing beyong this world of senses and the slight happiness it can bestow.Buddhism advocates nothing of that sort.

There is no justification for branding Buddhist as atheists just because they do not depend on a Creator God.The Buddhist concept of God is different from that of other religions.

Answer 6

This story does it for me:

Buddha was sitting with his disciple Ananda, and a man came up to him. He asked Buddha if there was a god and Buddha said "No". This did not suprise Ananda, he was used to this answer. A second man asked the same question and Buddha replied "Yes". This shocked Ananda, because the Buddha had contradictied himself. A third man asked the question and Buddha closed his eyes and sat with the man for a while, and he left and said "I understand". Ananda confronted Buddha and accused him of lying, but Buddha said that the questions were relative. The first man was a devout theist, looking for conformation of his belief, so Buddha gave him doubt. The second was a devout atheist, looking for confirmation of his belief, so the Buddha gave him doubt. The third was an agnostic, and he already had doubt, so Buddha did not give him anything.

Answer 7

Hi dear lady. I believe that Buddhism makes the most sense of all philosophies. Many people do think that Buddhist worship Buddha and that is not true.


"Believe nothing, no matter where you read it, or who said it , no matter if I have said it, unless it agrees with your own reason and your own common sense," - Buddha

Answer 8

not all Buddhist have faith in deities. Buddhism is amazingly different. There are greater adjustments between specific denominations of Buddhism than there are between Judaism and Christianity. So, some Buddhists are certainly atheists, yet not all... and people who do have pantheons tend to not worship those gods the way gods are worshipped interior the west. Their status is different. they are not beings that decision for obedience. that concept is foreign places to Buddhism. Pantheism... nicely... that's been stated as sexed-up atheism. numerous theologians have a undertaking with it because of the fact in case you're asserting each thing is God, then what distinguishes God from the known, uncomplicated and uncomplicated? As for ancestor worship... i think it actual relies upon how extensive your definition of "God" is. the assumption is that ancestors will save observing over you from the afterlife. they at the instant are not likely deified. i think of the ingredient is your specific theory of God is a particular cultural build and that a glance at different cultures tells you there is not something self-obtrusive on the subject of the characteristics you assume this being to have.

Answer 9

I think it's important, in any situation, to first think with the heart and then with the brain. If you have good feelings before you think, you will think more clearly and in a more beneficial way towards the other and your self.
I think that philosophy and religion are very similar in that they both require a surplus of thought. By surplus, I mean more than a given situation calls for. My Buddhism is not concerned with either philosophy or religion. I do respect that choice, however, I will even understand my friends through their choice of philosophy/religion if necessary. That's OK with me, although sometimes exhausting.

Well, I'm done rambling. I'm not even sure if I answered your question. Fun to answer anyway.

Answer 10

Buddhism is about becoming the best human being they can be and grow in compassion.

Buddhism just doesn't go into the spiritual realm.

I practise zen almost every morning because it is good for me to do so by calming the mind and relaking the body.

I don't see Buddhism as an athiestic religion. I see it more in line with being an agnostic religion.