What is the main God of Buddhism?

Question

This is a question on my homework. Thank you for your help.

Answer 1

Buddhism is really more of a philosophy than a religion. Buddhism itself doesn't have a God, although it can be compatible with theistic religions. They believe in reincarnation

Answer 2

Buddhism is often described as a religion and a collection of various philosophies. To many, however, Buddhism is a set of spiritual teachings and practices rather than a religion. Buddhism is also known as Buddha Dharma or Dhamma, which means roughly the "teachings of the Awakened One" in Sanskrit and Pali, languages of ancient Buddhist texts. Buddhism was brought into being around the 5th century BCE by Siddhartha Gautama, hereafter referred to as "the Buddha."

Answer 3

There is no "God", per se, in Buddhism. If you read your textbook, Buddhism is not based around a god. There is an afterlife, but Buddhism has a central figure, though a god it may not be, Buddhism's central figure is Buddha. Buddha was the first to achieve enlightenment.

Answer 4

Buddhism is not God centered, it doesn't say there is a God and it doesn't say that there isn't. This is done so that the seeker focuses their attention on themselves and others. It's about knowing thy self, when you do what is necessary to be in this position of knowing, then you can speak in regards of "God". But no name is given to that which connects all things. In Hinduism there is Brahman, the highest of their Godhead. But this is an analogy or allegory, Buddha took things back to its root, or purpose of which was loss. Put the focus back on the individual rather then in approval mode to an allegory, because there are many levels of being that exist betweens ones self and God and God-Central paths are complacent towards enlightenment, the goal. So its better not to make the decision for another, it is more vital for an individual to come to know God, through knowing themselves. In fact that is the only way that it can come about, so it is something that one must find and prove within themselves. Because every source has a source and everything ultimately returns to that source.

Answer 5

Buddhism is by its nature atheistic. Buddha was a man, albeit an enlightened man. There are Buddhists that do believe in gods. Being Buddhist is not like other religions. You can be a Buddhist and a Christian or a Jew or anything else you want.

Answer 6

Buddhism does not have a "god" so to speak.

The primary bring is YOU! The main religious figure is Siddhartha Gautama, the historical Buddha.

I hope this helps.

Answer 7

There is 'no' creator god in Buddhism.

*Buddhism and the god-idea:
http://www.buddhanet.net/10-gqga.htm

To many, Buddhism is more a philosophy or 'way of life', than a religion. It is a philosophy because philosophy 'means love of wisdom' and the Buddhist path can be summed up as:
(1) to lead a moral life,
(2) to be mindful and aware of thoughts and actions, and
(3) to develop wisdom and understanding.

Most are familiar with verse 183 in the Dhammapada that states:

Cease to do evil,
Learn to do good,
Purify the mind
This is the teaching of the Buddhas.

*Brief explanation of the Buddhist Path:

The Noble Eightfold Path
and The Five Precepts {which are
the Golden Rule of Buddhism).

The Buddha’s enlightenment empowered him with insight into four basic human truths about human unsatisfactoriness {suffering - Dukkha) known as the Four Noble Truths.

The Four Noble Truths are:

1) Unsatisfactoriness (suffering) exists for human beings; i.e. Birth is suffering, ageing is suffering, stress/anxiety is suffering, anger/fear is suffering, sickness is suffering, dissociation from a loved one is suffering, etc.

2) The cause of unsatisfactoriness is craving and selfish attachments of the mind that neglect an understanding of impermanence.

3) There's a Path that leads to the cessation(ending) of craving and selfish attachments of the mind, and thus there is a way to positively transform unsatisfactoriness (suffering);

4) This path is the Eightfold Path:

The Eightfold Path: 'Right meaning Skillful'.

1) Right {Skillful) View
2) Right {Skillful) Thoughts/Intentions
3) Right {Skillful) Speech
4) Right {Skillful) Action
5) Right {Skillful) Livelihood
6) Right {Skillful)Effort
7) Right {Skillful) Mindfulness (Sati)
8) Right {Skillful) Concentration (Samadhi)

*The Five Precepts - are part of Right (Skillful)
Action within the Eightfold Path in Buddhism:

1. The precept of abstaining from the destruction of life {harming and killing).

2. The precept of abstaining from taking that which is not given (stealing).

3. The precept of abstaining from sexual misconduct.

4. The precept of abstaining from falsehood (lying).

5. The precept of abstaining from intoxicants (alcohol & drugs) that cloud the mind and cause carelessness.

*Reading on the Noble Eightfold Path:
"Eight Mindful Steps to Happiness"
By: Venerable Henepola Gunaratana.

:-) *Metta to all.

Answer 8

There are many branches of Buddhism. Some, as stated in other answers here, are essentially agnostic about the existence of gods. Zen, for example. Others are positively roccoco with a superabundance of gods and demons. Some give the various Buddhas (there are, some say, lots of them) essentially god-like status, and there are Buddhas for many purposes (medicine, contemplation, etc.) that are multiplied essentially without limit.

Answer 9

No gods in Buddhism

Answer 10

Why are we doing your homework. There is no main god, buddha who you may be thinking of means enlightened one and there are living buddhas such as the Dalai Llama, everybody has what they call a buddha nature inside them according to their philosophies and beliefs. Buddhism is a philosophy and began in India and travelled through Tibet, China, Korea and ended in Japan.

But if you are still in school and this is homework the answer they are probably expecting is buddha.