Is Buddhism atheistic

Answer 1

First View:

The Buddha's relation with Hinduism is so close that it's easy to confuse Buddhism with Hinduism. The two religions have close connections, and yet they are distinct. This was because of Buddha's reform movements and his refining of Hindu beliefs. It would not be wrong to state, then, that Buddha founded a noble religion by distilling Hinduism, and offering a commonsense approach to self-betterment to which the people can relate easily.

The Hindu Caste System defined a person's position in society as determined by their birth. Buddha condemned the Hindu caste system and said that it is karma or the good and bad actions of a person and not birth that should determine a person's caste. He introduced the idea of placing morality and equality on a higher place than genealogy of a person.

Hindus believe that the purpose of the avatar of Buddha, like all divine avatars, was to re-establish dharma where "adharma" (irreligiousness) had become prevalent. Buddha is regarded by some sects of Hindus as an incarnation of Vishnu, or even as a Hindu. This is because Buddha's theistic beliefs are not contrary to Hinduism, but only a step ahead. This is also because the nature of Hinduism itself is such that all beliefs are recognized as being facets of the Ultimate Truth. It is interesting to note that the word "Nirvana" - used by Lord Buddha to describe the state of permanent bliss - is indeed a Vedic term.

Buddha was born into the Shakya dynasty of a Kshtriya caste family. It's a different thing that Buddha, after he became enlightened, never sought to classify himself into any caste or religion. He was only a born Kshtriya (classified as Hindus) and not a practicing one.

Also 80% of his teachings were taken from Upanishadas and Yogas. He taught Lotus Pose, Meditation, Concept of Soul as reality all these concepts were already there in Sanatana Dharma which is now known as Hinduism.

Counter View:

The Buddha was not "born a Hindu" because Hinduism in its present form had not emerged at the time of his birth. Before the time of the Buddha the religion of India was Vedic Brahmanism, but alongside the Vedic tradition there was an ascetic (Śramana) stream of religious thought and practice having its origin in prehistoric times; it is to this Śramanic culture that Buddhism has its closest affinity. Hinduism grew out of a fusion of Vedic Brahmanism with Buddhism and other Śramanic religious trends. Although Buddhism acknowledges an affinity with the Śramanic cults, it is nevertheless a unique product of the Buddha's direct insight.

Buddha was from Shakya dynasty, named after muni (sage) Shakya but he left his family and established his Dhamma (Dhamma is different from Dharma or religion). Although Shakyas are considered themselves as Aryan Kshtriya (a Hindu) but their relationships with Kolis (Non-Hindus) might be considered that they were Non-Hindus.

The great unification of Buddhism and Hinduism is still prevalent in Nepal, the birthplace of Buddha. Ironically, Nepal is the world's only Hindu nation, where people don't consider the two religions distinct from each other.

Answer 2

There is no deity at the top of the heap in Buddhist thinking. Buddhists believe in Buddha, who is essentially a role model. They see him as a man who thought his way to the proper way of life. Buddhism itself is not a religion but a Philosophy leading to an end of suffering through the control of desire. Believing or not believing in a god is not required. There are Christian-Buddhists, Jewish-Buddhist, Islamic-Buddhists, etc., and there are also Atheist-Buddhists. Buddhists don't worship the historic Buddha (Gautama) as god. They revere him as an enlightened teacher. Aspects of human behavior can be represented by various buddhas (e.g. Hotai, the fat buddha statue often seen in Chinese restaurants, represents prosperity and the love and valuing of children) In the same manner that some Christians put religious statues in their cars to prevent accidents or carry rabbits feet for luck, some Buddhists may use statues and mandalas to attract good fortune.

In common with many religions, Buddhists believe in an ongoing eternal part of a person that endures after death. Death can lead to rebirth or to Nirvana, a state of non-awareness and unity with the universe. Buddhists also believe in a large number of coexistent universes that could be viewed as equivalent to Christian, Islamic or Jewish heaven or hell, and which a person's "soul" can access after death instead of being reborn in this world or reaching Nirvana.

Because Buddhists believe in the continuous cycle of life and death, even though they do not include deity in their beliefs, most Theists do not consider Buddhism to be Atheism.

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Answer 3

Answer:

Atheist means "no god" so Buddhiss are more non-theist. There is nothing in Buddhist practice or belief that requires the presence of a deity or sees any benefit from the denial of the existence of a deity. It just doesn't matter. Wasting time thinking about gods (an effort that will not have any resolution) is basically seen as a waste of time as your efforts can be better spent learning to live according to the Eightfold Path. As an aside the presence of a deity in the Universe will not help or hinder your acheivement of enlightenment.

Yes, Buddhists are atheist. Because karma is mutually exclusive with gods. nontheist is atheist. It's a term Buddhists, like the atheist who invented it may feel has less stigma attached. But it still means the same thing as atheism. (ie "without god" = "not with god" let's be real).

Answer 4

Answer:

No he wasn't

Answer:

Depends on your definition of atheist.

Buddhism has no god(s) or belief in god(s) this would qualify in many minds as being an atheist's outlook. Buddhism, however, accepts the idea of a supernatural part to the human being which progresses towards enlightenment. This concept of "soul" would not sit well with many atheists. Sorry but there is not supernatural being in Buddhism except possibly your soul.

Theists and atheists would both have cause to accept Buddhists into their camps ... and reject them.

The Buddha rejected the concept of an intrinsic, unconditioned soul. He saw the soul to be temporary conditional manifestation that arises and passes away as all thing do.

Once the Buddha gained enlightenment, he used his divine eye to search for a being worthy of his worship and found none. Yet, all deities came to the Buddha to worship him, not as a god, but as a person who achieved the highest good, and taught others how they too many achieve it.

Answer 5

No, he certainly was not. He said there is no god. He showed people a way to see clearly. This is known as enlightenment.

He might have been, although most buddhists are atheists so its likely he was as well

This is incorrect - Saddartha Guatama (the Buddha) was a Hindu and was, indeed, a theist, but he did not make mention of any God or Gods in his teaching.

As a matter of fact, Buddhism, itself, is not an atheistic religion by default, and many Buddhists do believe in one or more Gods.

Answer 6

Buddhism at its very core--cessation of desire--is a philosophy, a way of life. This then is compatible with Atheism because it has nothing to do with the supernatural. However, Buddhism on the surface is a highly complex world religion. The Mahayana, Vajrapani, Pureland (etc.) branches of Buddhism have a giant pantheon of gods with the Buddha at the very top. Adherents invoke the names of and worship images of various Buddhas. In fact, there was a taboo against depicting images of the historical Buddha (c. 500 BCE) until the 1st century CE. This is when anthropomorphized images of him began to appear on stupas holding relics from his body. Hardcore Buddhists go nuts over bodily relics just like the Catholics do. Buddhist temples are not considered official unless they have some kind of relic.

Answer 7

Shakya clan born Suddodhana son Buddha was real buddha…

रक्ष रक्षेति शरणं वदन्तो जग्मुरीश्वरम् मायामोहस्वरूपोऽसौ शुद्धोदनसुतोऽभवत् ॥ मोहयामास दैत्यांस्तांस्त्याजिता वेदधर्मकम् । ते च बौद्धाबभूवुर्हि तेभ्योऽन्यो वेदवर्जिताः ॥

(Agni Puran: Chapter-16, Verse 1- 3)

>Translation — All the Devas request Lord Vishnu to protect them! The the Lord says that he will incarnate as the son of Suddhodana, taking on a form that was enchanted by Maya. He enchanted the demons and got them to get rid of the practice of Vedic religion. All those Demonic peoples later became Buddhists and others also started abandoning the Vedas from them.

एतस्मिनैव काले तु कलिना संस्मृतो हरिः | काश्यपादुद्भवो देवो गौतमो नाम विश्रुतः | बौद्धधर्मं समाश्रित्य पट्टणे प्राप्तवान्हरिः |

(Bhavishya Purana- Pratisarga Parva: Chapter 6 :Verse 36)

>English translation - On the request of Kaliyuga, Lord Vishnu in the Kashyap gotra took an incarnation in the name of Gautam Buddha and went to Patna for expanding Buddhism.

काषायवस्रसंवीतो मुण्डितः शुक्लदन्तवान्। शुद्धोदनसुतो बुद्धो मोहयिष्यामि मानवान् ।।४३।

(Gita press - Mahabharat: Shanti Parva :Chapter-348 verse 43)

>English translation - He will wearing light yellow clothes. He is knows as Buddha, the son of King Shuddhodhana, who will enchant the people.

ततः कलियुगे घोरे सम्प्राप्तेऽब्जसमुद्भव शुद्धोदनसुतो बुद्धो भविष्यामि विमत्सरः ॥ बौद्धं धर्ममुपाश्रित्य करिष्ये धर्मदेशनाम् नराणामथ नारीणां दया भूतेषु दर्शयन् ॥

(Vishnudharma Purana, Chapter 66, Verse-68-71)

>Translation - Then, in the terrible Kali-yuga, I appeared. I shall become the son of Śudddhodana and I will preach the Buddhism, I will preach Dharma, I will preach kindness to men and women in beings.

Answer 8

No, Buddha was not a Christian.