I always thought that buddhism was just about relaxation and finding yourself. So can I still be a buddhist if I dont believe in that god?
2007-11-18 00:52:39 · 14 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Buddha wasn't a god. While some sects of Buddhism have gods, in general, it is an atheistic religion.
2007-11-18 00:55:28 · answer #1 · answered by atheist 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It is a total misperception on the part of Westerners who are studying Buddhism to believe that Buddhists do not have "gods." If you lived in Asia, you would definitely find out, that most Buddhists are also Animistic - that means, that before Buddhism, there were primitive belief systems already in place within those cultures which defined Deity. For example, the Tibetans have a whole host of "gods," all you have to do is investigate Tibetan Culture to find out this is true. In Laos, Thailand and Cambodia, all three cultures are Buddhist, they have local "gods" which they worship. This means then, that believing in God or gods, has nothing to do with being a Buddhist. What Buddhists have, is a "localized" set of Deity (deities), instead of a universal Deity. Study the cultures of every Buddhist society and you will see I am right. Buddhism is not atheistic. It is atheists who are misguided, thinking they can latch onto a religion and say it is atheist - without having studied the facts.
2016-05-24 01:58:28 · answer #2 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sure, buddhism is about finding wisdom. Buddha said don't blindly believe in someone even because they say it's the truth. Instead you got to seek out the truth. This applies to buddha as well. Meditation is about relaxation and have a clearer mind and unclouded judgment. Buddha is not a god, he's just an enlighten person.
2007-11-18 01:22:39 · answer #3 · answered by LimC 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes - you can be a Buddhist with or with out the belief of a god. It is a little more that relaxing however you are on the right track.
At its core Buddhism is atheist or rather agnostic.
2007-11-18 00:56:01 · answer #4 · answered by Freethinking Liberal 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
NO.
To be a Buddhist, You have to believe Lord Buddha and his teachings(Dharma) and who really follow or followed his teaching to reach Nirwana (Sangha). Have to believe life after death(Cycle of rebirth), believe case and effect (Karma).
There are many altered version of Buddhism.Pure Buddhism( Lord Buddha's teachings) is called Theravada Buddhism. You can only find in few countries like Sri Lanka and Thailand. Pure Buddhism is according to the Pali Canon (Thripitaka).
2015-11-24 20:46:35 · answer #5 · answered by Champika 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Buddhism is not a religion it is a philosophy. Buddha is not a god. God or god's are optional in Buddhism.
2007-11-21 07:28:04 · answer #6 · answered by Marvin 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Buddhism is more of a philosophy than a religion.
Buddha has never claimed to be a god, just a teacher.
2007-11-18 00:56:20 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Buddha was not a god. He was a man who learned the way to true inner peace. One can be of any religion, or no religion, and practice the Buddhist way of life.
2007-11-18 02:27:36 · answer #8 · answered by Shossi 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is no god in Buddhism, but Buddhism welcomes anyone, with a religion or no religion.
2007-11-18 01:02:53 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Buddhist dont believe in any deity. Well i dont anyhoo. WE believe in enlightenment. If you mean "Was Buddha a god", then no he wasnt, he was the son of a Prince in India i think.
2007-11-18 00:58:39 · answer #10 · answered by Ensee 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋