For Spiritual Atheists.?

Question

Have any of you gotten into buddhism?

I'm familiar that most forms of buddhism are atheistic, and I consider myself to be pretty spiritual.

Do you think buddhism would be a good path to try, or have any of you tried this path and found it to be a waste of time?

Answer 1

Breathing in I calm my body,
Breathing out I smile.
Dwelling in the present moment,
Knowing it's a wonderful moment.

Thich Nhat Hanh, "Being Peace"

Answer 2

Buddhism is not at all atheistic actually. Nihilism believes nothing exists. This belief is not part of Buddhism. Consider the following.

I am continuously bewildered by comments like 'Buddhism is atheist because it has no deity' and other comments that show a lack of proper knowledge of Buddhist subjects such as karma. People are free to say whatever they like, that's fine. I'm just making the point that if you are going to give valid remarks about Buddhist subjects, you should know the subject from reading authentic commentaries. Otherwise, what you say will be misinterpretation or misinformation that is inaccurate.

'Nothingness' is an opposite, all too often mistaken for the middle way, which is emptiness. Emptiness is not nothingness. This point is very clear in Buddhist philosophy. The realization of emptiness is not a realization of nothingness. The realization of the dependent-relationship between conventional and ultimate truth avoids extremes such as saying nothing exists. It is explained that nothing exists inherently, or independent from the mind and other phenomena. This lack of inherent existence or independent self-existence of objects is the ultimate nature of an object. The conventional nature of an object is its dependent-relationship such as depending on causes and conditions, parts, name, imputation by consciousness and so forth. Things do exist, but not in the way they are conceived to exist by the mind of self-grasping. This is the most important and most detailed subject in Buddhist philosophy. It is important to read authentic commentaries, get teachings, contemplate and meditate deeply to experience the real benefit of this subject.

As for Deities, there are many enlightened beings and highly realized Bodhisttvas and Theravada Foe Destroyers. One of their abilities is to appear in countless different forms to benefit living beings. Some of these emanations appear as teachers, some as wrathful Dharma Protectors, some as tantric Yidams, and some as Buddhas of the Sutra path.

Practitioners do worship these beings for various functions, with the ultimate objective being to attain the same realizations, and for anyone who actually practices with great sincerity according to the instructions of qualified Masters, they gain profound realizations of this path, and that is a fact. 'Worship' meaning many things such as making offerings, praises, requests and so on. The point is to accumulate powerful karma (create causes) for realizations by developing a relationship with higher beings who already have them.

So no, Buddhism is not atheist. Atheist denial of metaphysical phenomena (or any phenomena for that matter) contradicts the practical and definite experience of many people, and is not a very well thought out approach to the examination of phenomena on either a conventional or ultimate level. But to each there own.

If you are an atheist, but seeking Buddhist view, you will find alot of help in correctly understanding the differences between what is categorized and defined as 'Existent' and a 'Non-existent' phenomena, 'conventional' and 'ultimate', and how this relates to mind (valid or mistaken cognizers). By contemplating these things you will understand how things do exist and function, and what Buddha means precisely when he says that things do not exist, as he does not mean 'not at all'.

Answer 3

I am not religious in any way, but I still think that it is important to learn about all different religions. I own a copy of the bible, the Koran, and have attended many ceremonies and gatherings for many religions.

Give it a try, decide for yourself wether or not you like it. This is a decision only YOU can make. Other people cannot do it for you. You are a unique person, and what you want is unique as well.

Answer 4

I checked it out. I took what I liked from it which was basically the meditation and detachment from the material world to a rather comfortable degree actually and left the concepts such as reincarnation because I don't think humans are any more likely to experience more than this one life as any other form of life. Like most religions, it seems to me to base its core tenet on the prospect of eternal life in some form and I just can't believe that.

Answer 5

I have been influenced in Zen and other forms since I did philosophy at uni. Is it worthwhile? I would say yes because the mere practice of the meditation is liberating. Also the understanding of 'life the universe and everything' is so much more advanced that any other religion.

Answer 6

If it is a waste of time it is a real good way to waste your time. In all actuality it is breath to the suffocating and while challenging it is never to demanding and always feed the mind, often answering questions or pointing to the proper path.

Answer 7

No. I'm too passionate for Buddhism. I am Wiccan but also an Atheist.

Answer 8

Buddhism is very interesting to me, but I'm too lazy to look more into it. I will though, eventually.

Hey Tricia, Buddhists are spiritual atheists.

Answer 9

i wouldn't use the word atheist....But I am spiritual but non religious. I became aware of a spiritual reality thu psychedelics....i realized there is much more to reality then we can come close to sensing. Im more into hinduism...like the all is one concept

Answer 10

buddhism replaces worship of an external god with worship of the god within us all.

it is the sin of pride in its purest form: satan was the first buddhist.

but if you wish to lose the whole world for the sake of your own soul:- only you will ever have to live with the consequences.