I can't see why dualism means we inevitably must place our hope in God? :). It is not inconceivable that there are beings with extremely long lives, who have powers and influence over other beings, but they cannot possibly be eternal, absolute or exclusively unique, according to Buddhism. Thank you ,Lynn Fux, Thank you Lynn for your continued support and good to hear that you can add this to your shakabuku papers! WebThe Buddha himself encouraged the practice of buddhanussati, recollection of the Buddha, sometimes as a means of comfort: If you think of me, any fear, terror, or standing of hair on end that may arise in you will pass away ( Samyutta Nikaya 11.3). WebVisit: http://www.hindu-academy.com for more information. The oneness of self and environment and several other teachings in Buddhism (teachings of life) expound on how our Karma has the ability to change and is not static as fate portrays. As a follower of Jesus and a former Nichiren Buddhist, I am happy to say I experienced a major and liberating differences between Nichiren Buddhism and Christianity. WebNo, Buddhists dont believe in God. As the Buddhist scholar Robert Thurman put it, Buddhism is an inner science, an empirical discipline for fulfilling our minds potential. Even if one assume planting to exist by itself, it is not, because for Christians, there is a God who did the planting, thus the law of dependency still applies, and since the law of dependency applies, there is no independent Creator. This all led to some overlyspiky debates with sincere Christians. Grappling and disarming - when and why (or why not)? Of course, one can find individuals in the modern West who try to harmonize just about any two contradictory beliefs, but one cannot be meaningfully and consistently Buddhist and believe in anything like a theistic God. If you have any issues, please call the office at 385-246-1048 or email us at [emailprotected]. Sometimes in Buddhism I think we need to put our sentiment aside a bit for example I dont personally like some of the implications of karma & cause and effect, but I can see that they are true! "Utilize God," that's an interesting notion, thanks! Were there not, there would be no deliverance from the formed, the made, the compounded 14Houston Smith and Philip Novak Buddhism: A Concise Introduction (HarperCollins Publishers, 2003) 54. To subscribe to this RSS feed, copy and paste this URL into your RSS reader. What is the Buddhist idea of heaven? This is the question Im asked. Quora - A place to share knowledge and better understand the world If you start meditating, it's not hard to see. The best answers are voted up and rise to the top, Not the answer you're looking for? Listen & pay close attention. There is no answer to who did create the creator? Cline, Austin. It's akin to asking why they don't use baseball bats in golf. Why dont Buddhists believe in God? (or do they) - David Hare The Buddha focused on the mind. Thank you. That's why Buddhism is so compatible with other religions. Religious exception for vaccination or religious excuses for - Sabba sutta. This is the actual meaning of the word "sunna", that is, existence is only possible as an anarchy, simply because there is no ultimate "archon" (self) that exists in and of itself. John, I am not sure I fully understand everything you have written and neither do I feel that Buddhisms task will ever end, however I appreciate the beauty and sincerity of your words, thank you. It was like taking the next step up and then receiving Gohonzon was so amazing like everything all fell into place. Thats why I included the quote from Eddy Canfor-Dumas in my blog post. This is a view that I have shared with every Buddhist teacher I have met. enlightenment is joining with My question is about the planting, not about the seeds or fruit. The only way through this quagmire of obscenity is to connect with others in reasoned argument through which we all (including non-Buddhists) can do shakubuku. They may be there, but that fact ought to be irrelevant to religious practice. This really should be sent to the magazine Buddhism Today. Interesting to me, the typical arguments for the efficacy of Amidaism have a logical form, but make some large assumptions-- namely, The Amitabha vowed to save all beings before becoming a Buddha, the Amitabha has become a Buddha, therefore faith in Amitabha is efficacious. She was gesturing as if climbing a ladder God was here, and Buddha was the next step up. Reasons Why Atheists Don't Believe in Gods - Learn Connect and share knowledge within a single location that is structured and easy to search. At best, it's just clutter. Admittedly, I'm a beginner myself. Why For example, the journey from Kamakura to Kyoto takes twelve days. See Jan Nattier, "The Indian Roots of Pure Land Buddhism" for a paper about this process. And just because they don't believe a "divine hand" lies behind all of life's actions doesn't mean they can't appreciate the intricate web of relationships that underlies life on Earth. and return to God. The thing that really differs between god and myoho; the mystic law is that we are the controllers of it. Such arguments and discussions, the Buddha used to think, is a waste of time and effort. He could communicate laws to his creation at some point, then change or update the laws later. would say, 'Repudiating this All, I will describe another,' if It comes and goes eternally. They would have no notion of the computer they are simulated on, nor the factory which produced it. Whereas Buddhist chanting was about deciding and determining to be happy, all by yourself. As stated, it is argumentative. Mahayana Buddhism emphasizes the role model seen in Bodhisattvas, beings that have attained enlightenment but keep returning to earth to teach fellow humans. Buddhism | Definition, Beliefs, Origin, Systems, & Practice So, like I said in this answer, "Could we go as far as to say that Buddhist path culminates in the first-hand knowledge of God? WebHowever, Buddhism is chock full of supernatural elements, including multiple gods as well as magic and miracles. "Since Human beings have a limited life and limited capabilities it is better to optimise their uses " -- this was the thinking of the Buddha. I am awake, was the But it's certainly the case that there are all kinds of god-like creatures and beings called devas populating the early scriptures of Buddhism. The historical Buddha began as an ordinary person, who gained awakening by Two of my teachers emphasized such "master consciousness". If you travel for eleven but stop with only one day remaining, how can you admire the moon over the capital? (The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 1027, Letter to Niike, Written to Niike Saemon-no-jo in February 1280), Thank you Paula for this excellent story. Sheriff Grady Judd is briefing the media regarding the arrests of twelve people in a family-run drug trafficking operation in Winter Haven called Operation Family Affair. so yet a further step appears. Buddhism and God: Does Buddhism have a deity? Over the years, I've spoken to many people within the oneness Pentecostal movement. Believers take this all very literally, some intellectuals like Taitetsu Unno seem to take it as somewhat metaphorical. The third, nirodha, teaches that it is possible to stop suffering by seeking enlightenment. Every position has had its defenders, all as ardent as those in other traditions. A God that created the universe is irrelevant in Buddhism anyway. Glad you enjoyed the Marinoff-Ikeda dialogue and many congratulations on all the daimoku you are doing, the wise rejoice, as Nichiren says! Even the Buddha himself (the person who thinks and moves and communicates) had passed away. In addition, there is supposed to be some sort of spiritual or supernatural realm behind it all, and that our "true selves" are spiritual, not material. See people who are suffering and try to remember or reflect your own life and experiences as well. Like you, I have always said that if someone can show me a more effective practice than Nichiren Buddhism, I will follow it Would Buddhists object if Gautama Buddha were seen as a Prophet by Islam. Join our growing community of mindful writers, and contributors. My parents had a lot of power over my life, but I can still be my own master - can't see that the two are necessarily connected. Shakyamuni and Nichiren were Buddhas because they understand how life and the mystic Law work whether we like it or not I find that by letting go of my thoughts and just listening to daimoku that I can feel what you beautifully describe as the living experience of the Buddha in my heart. The think less, trust more approach Keep going, you will win! Sometimes, I also share. My praise and worship has come up to another level since becoming Buddhist. Why Buddhist dont believe in god? Hindu Academy - YouTube Why do CRT TVs need a HSYNC pulse in signal. Nevertheless, the three marks of existence points to the fact that 'personality' cannot exist in the ultimate reality. A Basic Buddhism Guide: Buddhism and the God-idea - BuddhaNet WebBuddhists don't believe in a creator God. It's a question that has puzzled believers and non-believers alike throughout the ages: If God is truly goodor if "the gods" have humanity's best interests in mindwhy does evil still exist in the world? Annihilationism is the idea that consciousness and existence completely vanishes at death. Christianity had taught me that man was essentially flawed and needed forgiving, whereas Buddhism promised that we are essentially brilliant and just needed polishing (lots of polishing, as it turns out). They too were caught up in the world of pain and fluxthey were involved in the cycle of rebirth like all other beings and eventually, they would disappear. I want to see myself in the mirror of the Gohonzon. I have talked to others who had similar experiences and feelings. Described in such a contradictory manner, it's impossible for these gods to exist. But a Buddha and the arahants transcend the realm of suffering, in that way they are superior to any gods. We chant Nam Myoho Renge Kyo to put ourselves in rhythm with it. Nothing happen for no reason, A really fantastic thought on Karma! Hi Louis, thank you for your kind comments. I personally believe in a God, but I wonder why Buddhists reject the idea of a god. Nirvana is not personal, is not in any sense a creator, and is not capable of action.7Keith Yandell and Harold Netland, Buddhism: A Christian Exploration and Appraisal (IVP Academic, 2009) 183 As one scholar notes, If absence of a personal creator God is atheism, Buddhism is atheistic.8Houston Smith and Philip Novak Buddhism: A Concise Introduction (HarperCollins Publishers, 2003) 53 The Dalai Lama elaborates further: The entire Buddhist worldview is based on a philosophical standpoint in which the central thought is the principle of interdependence, how all things and events come into being purely as a result of interactions between causes and conditions. Ayan82/Photographer's Choice RF/Getty Images, The Idea of Religion Itself is Contradictory, Science Points to Life as Material, Not Supernatural. So there is no discussion of higher powers. Prayer in the dictionary sense is not a formal part of Buddhism, since it is understood there is no powerful "other" to which prayers are directed. A body may be thought of as a receptacle; then, if the receptacle is filled with enlightenment, it may be called Buddha.20ibid, 31. ", "Monks, I will teach you the All. Karmic obscurations, original sin, confusion, not that much difference in my way of seeing but your presentation and refinement of the discussion is great. Fine examples of the philosophical connectivity which supports the views I have expressed here, include dialogues, such as those between Lou Marinoff and Daisaku Ikeda that have been presented in The Inner Philosopher ISBN: 978-1-887917-09-4 So let's say, existence is the "will to power", and as long as there is craving for it, there is becoming. Since Buddhism is nontheistic -- meaning gods aren't necessary -- do Buddhists pray? WebThere are several reasons for this. the universe is not your home. great question :-). The answer to that is generally yes. What are the views considered "false convictions", and why are they false? ", The Blessed One said, "What is the All? Wow. For completeness, there isn't one Buddhism, there are many Buddhisms. Buddhism Stack Exchange is a question and answer site for people practicing or interested in Buddhist philosophy, teaching, and practice. The human person is conditioned, hence he does not exist eternally i.e. it is no accident Jesus message The connection to God is what God wants from all of us so he can fill your heart with peace. We simply don't believe in a 'creator god', which is a whole nother story. Would limited super-speed be useful in fencing? As long as you keep looking up to some higher power, how can you be the master of your life? As the sutra states Since hatred and jealousy abound during his lifetime, how much worse will it be after his passing. Why monotheism and not polytheism? WebWe would like to show you a description here but the site wont allow us. This is linked to the Hindu concept of karma that explains how a persons bad or good actions in his previous life can impact future consequences. Using it and being used by it refers to the same activity. Note though that this could be the statement of hard-nosed materialists as well. Why a Buddhist may not believe in God WebUnlike some other beliefs, Buddhists do not believe that a certain god will appear in this world at some future date to destroy the wicked, unsaved people and to protect the good For many traditional Buddhists, if described directly at all, it is spoken of simply in terms of Nirvana. A slim majority of Americans (56%) say they believe in God as described in the Bible.. Finally a refreshing and intelligent post on this topic on the internet. this first point outside time Every non-religious ideology, philosophy, and cultural tradition contains certain inconsistencies and contradictions. I doubt the Greeks did. PS. If Buddhists do not believe in God in the Christian or monotheistic sense and are not to devote themselves to any god in the pagan or polytheistic sense, then is there anything in Buddhist doctrine and practice that might be called the Buddhist god? Both remind us to take ownership of our lives. incredible. David. Grace truly is amazing.liberating. The fourth, magga, talks about the Middle Path, which demonstrates the steps to achieving enlightenment. The wordBuddha just means someone who is awakened or enlightened to these mystical workings of life. Unlike early Buddhists, both the Ajivikas and So I would never describe cause and effect as simple it is profound, mystical, multi-dimensional and eternal and I explain all this (or try to anyway!) Buddhists believe in realising the nature of the mind - the same as what the Buddha did. And when I say our efforts I mean, also, to include the efforts of the multitude of organisations, regardless of denomination, who stand side by side with us advancing the cause of humanitarianism in a savage and barbaric world which offers us the likes of Boko Haram and their ilk. This is an essential point to be borne in mind with respect to Rissho Ankoku and the establishment of kosen-rufu. The Role of Gods and Deities in Buddhism - Learn Religions Update crontab rules without overwriting or duplicating. I respect my wonderful Buddhist friends (and I have many) so there is no disrespect intended here. Why Buddha said "There is No God" and Later "There is God"?