I've studied about Buddha and they said that we should worship him or let alone have statues of him. Why do buddhists do tho this?
2007-03-13 10:10:44 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
they don't read the fine print...
2007-03-13 10:14:01 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
Nobody "worships" the Buddha, although in most Buddhist countries, there are considered manifestations of the Buddha and the Bodhisattva's that can help you in your life, whether it is to pass an exam or get people a better rebirth. Why? Because for most people, life is tough. You need all the help you can get. Meditating is for the rich idle folks or the super pious or the ones who just want to be taken care of or escape something in their lives. Everyone else has things that need to be done. So they give offerings and ask for help. And if you read more about popular Buddhism, instead of just Siddhartha, you will find out that many Bodhisattva's chose to stay behind from Nirvana to help people. compassion is a big part of most forms of Buddhism. The American form of Buddhism tends to focus more on the self-centered side of Americans who just want what is going to help ME ME ME! Not to say that is how you think, of course.
2007-03-13 10:24:22 · answer #2 · answered by Love Shepherd 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I find it interesting that people bow before, pray to, make offerings to a statue, but insist they are not worshiping. The same is found in the Catholic faith which finds people doing the same various images, while saying they are not idolaters. But in actually if you do worshipful acts before an image are they not worshiping it?
2007-03-13 11:55:19 · answer #3 · answered by linniepooh 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Buddha taught that their was no god and that after many lives you finally achieve nirvana and are one with the universe...After his death some sects of Buddhism began worshipping him as a god
2007-03-13 10:16:00 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
We don't worship the Buddha... he was a man, not a god and while we're grateful for his teachings, we don't worship.
_()_
2007-03-13 10:33:45 · answer #5 · answered by vinslave 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Buddha is not a god, he was a man.
A "Buddha" is someone who has reached enlightenment.
2007-03-13 10:59:54 · answer #6 · answered by drummerofaband 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
They don't. I don't know what Buddhist book you were reading, but someone has a bad interpretation of Buddhism.
2007-03-13 10:14:33 · answer #7 · answered by Jedi 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Shoudn't is the word u should use. I guess it's b/c they don't know the real teaching and assume they must worship Budda at first.
2007-03-13 10:14:50 · answer #8 · answered by missgigglebunny 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
They have statues but don't worship him.
2007-03-13 10:14:40 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋