What is the God concept, according to Buddhists ?

Question

I will share with you "What Buddhists believe
concerning the God-concept."

People from Judeo-Christian backgrounds especially have asked often if Buddhists
believe in "God". This depends on what is meant by the word "God", for there is a diversity of opinions in the Judeo-Christian world about who or what God is !!

If by the word "God" we refer to the principle of love and compassion, then yes, Buddhists do actually accept those principles. Love and compassion are the essential core of The Buddha's Teachings. Many similarities exist between The Buddhas" Teachings (from 2,500 years ago), and Jesus' Teachings (from 2,000
years ago) in this regard.
If we take "God" to refer to one who has infinate love, and wisdom and who is free of vengeance and partiality, then yes, actually
Buddhists do accept this principle. Love, wisdom, patience, forgiveness and imparitality are qualities of ALL of the Buddhas.
If "God" is used to refer to a creator, then Buddhists have a different, more logical view.
Their view is not based on blind faith.
From a Buddhists logical view, there was no beginning to the continuities of physical matter and consciousness. Since many logical difficulties arise if the existence of a creator is
posited, Buddhists propose a logical alternative.
Buddhists do believe that our mind, was "not" created by another being or by
God, because consciousness cannot be created out of nothing. Furthermore, why would a God create us? Surely there is No logical reasoning to create suffering or even to create beings who have the potential to degenerate from perfection into sufferings. "Buddhists believe that if the cause(God) is perfect, its result(its creation) should also be perfect and without suffering; so the creation of a perfect God should be perfect. If created beings have the potential to degenerate, then they are not
perfect." Reason and Logic are Necessary!
Buddhists do not accept the ideas of original sin, or of an eternal damnation. Nor is a blind faith sufficient alone to attain Peace. Buddhists
live they're life based on logic alone.
But it Must be emphasized, however, that Buddhists see the plurality of religious beliefs
and practices as beneficial. Since people do not think in the same way, a diversity of beliefs enables a person to select a system that helps him or her live a more wholesome, better life.
Thus Buddhists emphasize the importance of Patience toward all human beings and the necessity of religious tolerance.
Also, many who do not have or practice any religiousity, but demonstrate many good morals and ethics which they live by with a clear conscious, are respected, and shown patience and tolerance by all Buddhists.

I hope this gave you and others out in Yahoo Land, a clear understanding on Who & What God is, from a Buddhists viewpoint.

Happy Holidays to you and to everyone out there.

From: An R.N. with a Master's Degree - having
over 32 years in the Psychiatric Field.

There is some Helpful information in

the Excellent book that is out called:

"Working With Anger."

BY: Thubten Chodron.

It provides healthy, wholesome alternatives and successful techniques
to Successfully overcoming Anger, and teaches How to Cultivate Patience. For we know that "Love is
Very Patient."

Answer 1

Very, very well said my friend, most eloquent and unbiased, I too am Buddhist. Perhaps the term logical is a bit harsh, would you not agree to a term more moderate such as purposefully contemplative..?Some folks are a bit sensitive to terminology also so some sensitivity to other's religious ideological terminology would ease the tensions created. Right Speech my friend.

Please accept my apology if I offend, I'm only expressing mild criticism on minor points, forgive me...

Your insight is refreshing and expresses wonderful compassion, it was a pleasure to read your thoughts, thank you.

Peace to all in the season of joy...from another Buddhist

Answer 2

Good for you! But you can't say that it's an R.N. with a Master's Degree having over 32 years in the Psychiatric Field as a source!

Do you actually understand what the one whom you talked to is trying to tell you?

Answer 3

I read this this great interest and it helped me know about this great religion. Unfortunately we are born in a family that has their own religion and we are initiated in that religion with disregard or apathy for any other beliefs. I think essentially all religions take us to the same goal except taking different paths. Compared to
Judeo-Christian faiths Buddhism seems more logical and more appealing to the intellectuals than the common masses who are content with the easy-chair religion of their own.

Answer 4

Noone, Buddhist or otherwise, lives according to logic alone. Logic is insufficient to grasp truth (Tarski), and cannot give one the premises from which to proceed. Reason cannot be used to become a Buddha - it is a matter of experience. Reason can only help one avoid pitfalls along the path.

Answer 5

Respectfully...

You are educated in Buddhism (what sect, I do not know), but you are not a Buddhist. Have a little humility.

Answer 6

Please ditch the term 'Judeo-Christian.' I know what you're referring to, and it's Christian, not Jewish. We have very different attitudes towards G-d, sin, and many other concepts. 'Judeo-Christian' is just Christians pretending that their viewpoint is more universal than it is.

Thanks.

Answer 7

Great, thanks for the info. I'm studying Buddhism and it's always fun to learn more from a Buddhist's standpoint.

Happy Holidays to you as well. :)

Answer 8

there is no god. right?

Answer 9

SADHU!SADHU!SADHU!

Saddha.

Answer 10

That is really interesting. Thanks for sharing.