Is Buddhism Atheist?
VloĆŸit
- Äas pĆidĂĄn 21. 05. 2017
- Was the Buddha an atheist? Does one need to believe in God or gods to follow his system? This is a question with an interesting answer I think we can all learn from.
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â Texts mentioned:
Kevaddha Sutta (DN 11)
Tevijja Sutta (DN 13)
Aáč guttara NikÄya 3.61 "Sectarian"
On Vasubandhu see Richard Hayes, "Principled Atheism in the Buddhist Scholastic Tradition", Journal of Indian Philosophy, 16:1 (March, 1988) www.unm.edu/~rhayes/atheism.pdf
On Buddha as teacher of gods and humans: www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/au...
Also see: tricycle.org/trikedaily/was-b...
www.patheos.com/blogs/american...
Check out my new free-mini course and other courses on early Buddhism, at onlinedharma.org/
do you have a topic about korean buddhism and the miracle of Siddhartha Gautama
Most Buddhist pray to him in a scene of paying respect as a teachers who showed right path
Thanks indian Indian, yes that can be one way to look at it! đ
@indian Indian
True...It's simply showing the respect and love for showing the path, and the great teaching Lord Buddha gave to all of us. Theravada is the much more realistic and pure teaching of Buddha to understand what really Buddhism is.
So Why some people call Buddha as LORD. We called Buddha as God like teacher.
@@EvenStarMN Nothing wrong with it. Even if higher spirits (many gods) consider him as the teacher of the Universal "Dharma", If Buddha's mind is uncomparable to any god, evil, human only other than another Buddha, definitely nothing wrong to consider him as Lord Buddha.
@@ragingwarrior8098
"Lord" simply means "Master"...
I think, we Indian Buddhists are Deistic/Agnostic but not an out and out Athiests...
Buddhism isnt about creation
Its about reality
Yes I think thatâs right Steve. Thanks! đ
Creation IS reality.
@@barbatvs8959
N 0
there was no creation at all
If you know about the Second Law of Thermodynamics, you know there had to be a beginning when the clock was wound. So who wound the clock? Who designed it? Your saying no to God is saying no to being responsible for your own actions and thoughts that you chose to harbour, for God is rejected by those who want to escape judgment, but their delusion shall be obliterated upon death.
@@sonnyps413 You're changing the subject but I will answer your flawed question I heard over a decade ago by atheists assuming they could stump me. The reason we know things have an origin is by the law of cause & effect but this is a natural law so it applies only to natural things. God is not natural. He is supernatural. I prove God in my series "Atheism and Atheist Creation Myths REFUTED." I also have a video annihilating atheism in 1 sentence.
You say God would be evil if he existed, but this is because you don't understand my religion which explains why there is evil which is that God wanted beings like him with his same power of love which animals lack the ability to have, and love can't be forced, so for there to be love, there has to be choice to love or not, and that leads to the inevitability of those with the choice choosing evil, and so lack of love causes suffering such as when an atheist or religious hypocrite ignores a beggar due to lack of love, thereby making that beggar's life even worse, causing them further suffering from being treated like shit by their neighbour.
If God were to prevent that suffering, he would have to prevent choice in which case he would have to prevent making beings like him with knowledge of good and evil and the power to choose between the two, but God is totally justified in making man in his image. Man chose evil. Man is to blame, and Satan who misleads him and you.
Now, since you're an atheist, you need to defend your position that we are merely material beings and not spirits since if we were spirits, then since we began, we would have had to come from a Great Spirit; at least one. Atheists believe the brain is the mind because they are materialists because spirits can't fit into the atheistic paradigm, as that gives God footing for existence, since God is Spirit with a capital S. So since you assume we are just physical things entirely, then you have to deal with the implication: that guilt is impossible and therefore you can do any evil you want because "Nature made me do it." Atheism therefore JUSTIFIES ALL EVIL WITHOUT EXCEPTION AND WITHOUT EXAGGERATION. Morals are all cherry-picked by atheists who are invariably self-righteous. For morality to be objective aka reality it has to be created by the Creator of Reality. You reject the Creator, so you have no solid basis for any morals, reducing them all to a buffer of opinions you can cherry pick from. That is quicksand. That is inconsistent. That is arbitrary. That is not moral.
Religion, The number one Business of all time!
yeah
I thought that was prostitution
Cringe fedora
As a Japanese Buddhist, I can tell you that although Buddhism has been forcibly classified as a religion, it is a means to an approach that belongs to philosophy and self-realization. Buddhism is not a belief in a specific god, but a practical wisdom for exploring the unknown self as taught by the Buddha.
Yes I think that's a great way to see it Caroline.
Do Japanese people speak english.i mean what percentage of people speak English or understand English???
@@timetraveller5721 Please, please let you wander around forever without reaching your intended era.
@@user-jy4er7ki7l what I didn't understand I am asking whether most japanese speak English or understand English.how often they speak or what percentage of Japanese people speak in English.
In Japan I was able to see the different postures of Kannon (related to 6 realms of existence). Beliefs in realms, spirits, demons tell me otherwise. How is that atheistic?
Buddhism isnât atheistic, it is non-theistic. The Buddha believed in many gods but saw them as imperfect, impermanent, and prone to suffering and delusion. We donât need the gods to be liberated from suffering and delusion đ
Thatâs right Joseph, thanks. đ
keep up the videos my friend I've been watching a few of them all week =)
Good on you Joseph, thanks. Iâll aim to keep them coming. đ
It is agnostic. Not Atheist.
Buddhism and the Buddha himself are not agnostic (which means âno knowledgeâ) because the Buddha many times speaks to gods and goddesses, demons and even Bodhisattvas in the suttas and sutras. The Buddha has knowledge is never portrayed as saying he doesnât know if they exist, however, I do think that being agnostic is a valid personal path to take/express when practicing the dharma in our western culture since faith in the gods is not necessary for the Buddhas path on liberation from suffering đ
I don't think Buddhist's have to be atheist but Buddhism certainly is very acomodating and accessible to someone who happens to identify as an athiest.
That's right Gary. Also it depends what kind of Buddhism one is talking about. Some Buddhist approaches are more atheistic than others.
well you should only check out Hinduism
Especially atheists who want to find meaning in this dark world without resorting to religion.
Perhaps the importance of identifying as an athiest is an attachment?
@@j.obrien4990 atheism is just by definition of not believing in supernatural beings and/or worshipping them. There is no need to convolute this anymore.
As a 17 year old Buddhist who is semi-new to it, your videos have been extremely helpful
Glad to hear it Leo, keep practicing! đ
I'm just curious, how did you get into Buddhism and how is it going now?
In india all buddhist are atheist. But the buddha has given freedom to consider the concept of god. Be own teacher of yourself is main thought of Buddha.
Thanks for your thoughts Prashant!
And who are you to speak for 'all' Indians.
@@lucasmiller1462
bcuz Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar was an Secular Humanist/Deist (who was born a low-caste Hindu) who converted to Buddhism along with his 2,50,000 followers who were from Lower-Caste Hindu community...
just read his books he is gem of a scholar...
Maybe lord Buddha was the first atheist brave enough to strike out on his own!
Interesting thought R Gurung. I think Jainism also is atheist in a similar sense, as were the teachings of various of the Buddha's competitors. Here is a video that goes into some of that: czcams.com/video/aoxagmtSHI0/video.html
At that time India was having two flows one was Brahman and another was Shramana .Bramhanical flow was believed in Bramha as creater of world was theist and suprimacy of man is by Birth .For your salvation you have worship Bramha.Instead Sraman flow includes Jain's,Buddhist,Charvaka were atheist flows.The Shramana word come from word Shrama which literally means Karma/Efforts for your salvation.Hence Buddhism believe in Karma not in Birth which makes you superior or Inferior.With good Karma anybody can become supreme and achieve Buddhahood.
So doing good karma and avoiding bad karma, cleaning the dust of your mind and keeping it clean like mirror is the teaching of Buddha
Buddha Bless You
Buddha Is called Mahashraman means a great shraman
@@DougsDharma myanmar will solved what is buddhism because myanmar is buddhism
There were also atheists among the greek philosophers at a similar age.
What struck me most was the question --- If God is all perfect, why create imperfect beings? What ? Is it bored? Playing with us?
Thanks Caitlin, yes indeed there are a lot of those questions that come up. We can wrestle with them without any real hope of an answer, or we can leave them to one side and move along. đ
We were perfect until Adam and Eve disobeyed now we're cursed , but that doesn't mean God was ready to let us go
Hahahaha, of course your words are stolen from someone! Let me think, yeah! Epicurus! And Epicurus stole this idea from Buddhism!
Doug's Secular Dharma @1:35-1:53 you got it wrong. Confused Brahman to bramha. Brahmin is also different.... I know it gets confusing....đđđ
The buddha used that argument against Brahma worshippers 2500 years ago.
Nice series of talks I just subscribed I am a practicing Nicherin Buddhist and find your talks wonderful with just enough depth that will send to the library.......
Glad to hear it David, thanks for the comment! đ
Always excellent your explanations. Short but wise, accesible and straight to the point. Thank you so much!
You're very welcome Eduardo! đ
Thanks Doug! The video is very helpful! Keep following you from Brasil!
You're very welcome Federico CezĂĄrio!
Great video, Doug. Many thanks for continuing to post such great views.
Thanks FĂ©lix, I'm glad you're enjoying them. đ
I'm an atheist. Nice talk.
Glad you enjoyed it Blair, thanks for the comment!
Hi just wanted to say thank you this is the first thing I've learned about Buddhism it's very interesting and I'm thinking about converting from Roman Catholicism. I know it's a tough one to get out of they get us early. Anyway thank you very much for this interesting lecture. It took me literally 40 years but I think I'm here.
Thanks for your comment Przemyslaw! I wish you all the best.
@PLAIN AS PLANE, Hahaaaa, bravo!! I've not stumbled upon anyone who's as concisely accurate and as accurately concise as you!!
@PLAIN AS PLANE i don't think any religion is wrong. Just incomplete.
This is a pretty ignorant thing to say..
There's no need to "convert", you can just start practicing it. There is no formal vow that must be taken that will then magically make you a Buddhist forever more. Its not like the Abrahamic religions at all in this respect. Buddhism is something you do; it is learning and practicing.
I am Zen Buddhist, and myself and my peers are atheists.
Thanks Desertphile, it doesnât surprise me at all.
@@DougsDharma
Please brother, Read the Book "Buddha and his Dhamma"...
as far as I know, we Indian Buddhists/Neo-Buddhists (who comes from lower-caste Hindus background) are Agnostic or Deistic (depends on person)...
Are all of your peers atheists or some of them or mostly atheists and a few theistic?
@Desertphile
May I say that you and "your peers" don't represent the position of every zen buddhist on this question ?
Iâm a Zen Buddhist working on becoming a Monk, Iâm also a atheist.
Wow, Buddha teaching is very realistic and logical.. And very great explanation..
Glad you liked it Dennz!
@@DougsDharma I hope you will make a video on the Buddha's explaination of how the 6 sense doors react to outside object that leads to recognition, perception, reaction, aversion, desire or craving and clinging that developed the type of karma and sangkara.
Very satisfying to see 100k. Congrats to your community. (I'm new here.)
Thanks and welcome! đ
Thank you for your time Doug, I like your channel đ
Thanks for watching, Jack!
Incredibly interesting video. The thought of Buddha teaching the gods is great.
Thanks Slick Machine, yes it is a kind of neat thing to consider! đ
As I've grown older (48 years next month) and in the process of "shedding my skin", I've lost all desire to "be saved", "go to heaven", "live forever in paradise", 'walk with the lord", whatever.This kind of thinking can become a monotonous pursuit. If people have a need to believe in God then perhaps they might find what they are looking for, in Judaism, Islam, or Christianity.
Thanks for your thoughts Carlos!
This is maybe the best summary i've seen of a very complex question. Without going too much into the "truth" behind any particular claim, i imagine that the so-called supernatural beings acknowledged by early Buddhism probably do exist in one way or another. Higher dimensions of existence could account for many things, such as the universal constants (and the resulting fine-tuning argument). Also, what is it that people are experiencing in altered states such as those induced by DMT? Meetings with "entities" during these states are a very common report. Are these "the gods"? Terence Mckenna recounts giving a high-level Tibetan lama DMT to experiment with. Afterwards, the lama told him that he had reached the intermediate realm of the Bardo and that, beyond this, one could not progress any further and expect to come back. I don't imagine a secular Buddhist perspective puts much faith in these kinds of things, but i would ask why any of us would automatically take ourselves as the highest or most intelligent lifeform in existence. All kinds of other organisms live both within us and around us in a giant, nested hierarchy. So what makes anyone think that we are at the highest point in that web of life? Surely wider and more inclusive forms of consciousness may exist before we simply resolve everything into the Absolute?
Thanks David, and sure anything is possible. đ
I'm VERY atheist. Almost anti-theist, I have a very cool Buddha statue in my family room, grandma thinks it weird
đ Well why not? They're nice!
@@DougsDharma .đ. I think it's great!! Grandma is one of those hardcore fundamentalist christian types. đ
@@Lou13Cyf3r the only problem is grandmammas are too cute to have any arguments. One should always say yes, you are right to them :)
@RoAcH812, I hope grandma will understand this perfectly: the Buddha statue in meditation or laughing is a symbol of life, the statue of Jesus as a dead corpse nailed on a cross is a symbol of death. You can educate her that Buddhism revolves around the enlightenment of the Buddha, and remind her that Christianity revolves around the death of Jesus. So she can re-think what actually is weird. Just a friendly advice: Trying to force her certainly won't work, but respect, gentleness, and humility you show for her probably will.
Cringe
Anyone who has come to know Buddhism deeply appreciates the simplicity of adherence to practical exercises as vehicles to relief and general compassion. No grandiosity needed. Peace.
Would you consider explaining the complete brahmajala sutra in an exclusive video? I'd love your explanation of the important suttas.
It's something I might do Desi, but the whole BrahmajÄla would take too long I think. I'd have to think of a way to do it that would be enticing to viewers and short enough in a video.
@@DougsDharma sure but dont worry about enticing... every word of Buddha is such... đ
Wonderful video, Doug! đ±đ
I would really like to see a video about the development of "buddha-nature" in the later traditions. I know that's not your special field, but I cannot deny my wish... đ€Ł
It's something I might eventually tackle ... đ€
Iâm considering converting to Buddhism any books đ I can read for beginners? Thank you đ
Hi Kevin, check out my playlist about books, it may suggest a few that interest you: czcams.com/play/PL0akoU_OszRjBKHxKj98qtSmcLpBmDWkL.html
I recommend to go for a 10 day Vipassana meditation.
Not always so and zen mind beginners mind by shunryu suzuki are both fantastic
I recommend some talks by Alan watts during a drive or while traveling, on the history of Hinduism / Buddhism he'll bring you a broad over view into Mahayana, Theravada and then Zen practices, in away where you want to research more in certain areas.
Read Buddha and his dhamma by Dr. B.R Ambedkar. It's available on www.columbia.edu/itc/mealac/pritchett/00ambedkar/ambedkar_buddha/
Thank you Father dr Babasaheb Ambedkar for giving us the true dhamma of Buddha. thanks a lot baba for giving the greatest one
Yes I was hindi(untouchable, backward class,low cast) but I am now converted mentally to Buddhist I love Buddha and his principles and am an atheist. only I believe in effort đ couldn't in miracles I am Buddhist I love Buddhism
Jay Bhim Namo Buddhay đđ»
Thanks Akash! Be well. đ
@@DougsDharma tqq sir where are you from sir?
@@bhimvichardhara1400 now you are buddhist so you don't have a caste you are not superior nor inferior to anybody else
@@Ragnar-xk4bc most hindues change religion to bhudists so they no longer have a cast ,but remember casts were made by humans not by God,we are all born equal,nobody is less or superior to anybody. We were all created equal and thats the way it should forever be!
@@betsygarcia6586 but sadly most of the Hindu still practice cast system. They even using the name like Brahman. They should stop using they cast. It's ridiculous
Thank you for making this video Doug good Job.
You're very welcome Allen, thanks for the comment!
Very interesting from min 5 to 9, and very much aligned with my thoughts, glad to hear...
Great, thanks for watching!
Thanks you for this video.... Keep up the good work... Jay Bheem Namo Buddhay
Thank you Sameer! đđ
Who is bheem
â@@trueRationalThinkerthe revival of buddhium in india
Buddha was a great philosopher đ
Yes I think he was!
@@DougsDharma I differ, I think his teachings are much bigger than any philosophy. His teachings about life, mind and nature of things are complete and flawless.
Doug, I just found your channel and really like your videos. Thank you for them.
I was thinking that the Buddha might be classified as apatheistic, or apathetic to the existence of a theistic god. A theistic god is seen as (1) creator god, (2) one that intervenes in creation, and (3) one that sustains a personal relationship with us.
I think that understanding the concept of a god in different cultures is important here. The word "god" comes form a root that means "that which is invoked" (prayed to or worshipped), whereas in Hinduism, "deva" is from "to shine" (BTW, "el", the Hebrew word for a god just means a "mighty one", mortal or immortal -- hows that for Christianity deviating from its roots!). Thus, Buddha accepts that supernatural shiny beings exist (I believe the suttas, when they present a god coming to the Buddha they often talk about its brightness), but he denies the existence of worship-worthy gods.
Thanks very much for the comments, Nathan. Indeed, I think to a certain extent the Buddha might have been 'apatheistic' in that sense, although in one of the suttas he argues that belief in a controlling God would lead to a philosophy of non action, and so that such belief is not skillful. In that case he does seem to be arguing for a kind of atheism, or atheism towards a certain kind of God. (One who is causally responsible for all that occurs).
But for most notions of a God or gods he wouldn't really care, or perhaps better put, it would make no difference to the essence of his dhamma, nor to the path to awakening, if there were or were not such beings.
And yes, he does not believe that such beings, if they exist, are worthy of worship, at least not by those who are awakened. Although to be fair, the Buddha does go out of his way to support traditional rites of worship within local cultures and does not argue that folks should abandon them.
Iâm so happy to have come upon this video. You explain things in an interesting simple way without ambiguity. Blessed be you đ.
Thanks and welcome!
Do you have a text to suggest me to start to read the suttas? Thanks
I go through some books on early Buddhism including one on the suttas here: czcams.com/video/UGNfiyRMkgw/video.html
It's one of my first videos so the picture quality isn't the best but the answer is there. đ
Google "Access to inside"
doug! if you are reading this, I really want to begin into buddhism. I'm 16 and, what I've learned about it, it seems perfect of my way on seeing life. would you mind recommending how I should start?
Hey great to hear, Ace! I'd suggest checking out some of my playlists, I have several for those new to various aspects of Buddhism.
Why do you see life as buddist? Karma is not real, reincarnation has no proof nor logic to it, and the ultimate goal you seek is to end existence, never again to be reincarnated.
There, we find the account that, while appearing as Shakyamuni teaching the Sutras on ... Accepting Brahma and Indra's request, Buddha went to Sarnath and, in the Deer Park ...
Today the key direct for contact with these extraterrestrial beings in the Pali Canon, for Pureland, people near to Omega Point of David Deutsch and others speculations of Michio Kaku, Ben Goertzel, is the hypothetical technological Singularity for skeptics, secular, atheist and agnĂłstic people. The Meditation in Rupajhanas and Arupajhanas is other option, DMT.
With my limited experience I have with teachings attributed to the Buddha, I came to the same impression.... the Buddha is dismissive of the whole subject and instead the focus is on self
Indeed yes John, or the non-self! đ
so in other words Buddha was self centered.
If the Buddha was here today he would probably ask his devotees, "Which parts of quantum mechanics don't you understand?" ...Peace, love and may the Force be with you, Padawans.
Just subscribed. Great content. I'd say the under the definition of atheism meaning not-theism, I would say that any version of Buddhism that is supposing the supernatural or samsara or spirits IS in fact following some sort of theology. Some sort of metaphysical framework. Such as the belief in souls or life after death. In these terms, most religious Buddhism is NOT atheism or NOT not-theism. (Double negative đ)
Would be more interested to learn exactly what "secular Buddhism" is about or defined as. Headed to look through your vids now. Again, cheers and thank you for this great channel. đ
Thanks so much! It is indeed following a metaphysical framework of a kind, no doubt.
Atheism as a concept doesn't state anything contrary to anything except Gods.
Hence one can label themselves atheist and still believe in many supernatural or metaphysical forms.
Its not common today but its not a contradiction of terms.
how can you have so many cuts in one video ??? ThereÂŽs one between every sentence and sometime even inbetween. ItÂŽs kinda hard to watch...
Thanks for the comment Love FX. All I can say is that making videos involved a steep learning curve and I'm getting better at it ...
Yes i agree .I still dont know what he truelly believes.đ€đŻđ”
the talk is practical and enlightening ĂŒ
Thanks Jose, Iâm glad you found it worthwhile!
It might be helpful to some to distinguish between Brahma-the creator god in the trinity of Hinduism,and Brahman-the ultimate reality of existence.
Right, good point fretboardmusic. In this case I was talking more about early Buddhism, which is prior to Hinduism. There was less of a clear distinction between Brahma and Brahman.
@@DougsDharma most of western hv wrong knowledge of history . 500 yr ago most of west believed in earth was created was 3000yr ago.it's dangerous to view Buddhism from western world view.
Thanks for your thoughts Sonu. The only reason we know that the 3000 year age of the earth is wrong is because of modern science. The Buddha dharma is quite wise enough to coexist with it, and indeed to be enriched by it. Be well. đ
@@DougsDharma "Right, good point" But, that's the main point ! (given the title of your video). And, if you're talking only about early buddhism, please change the title of your video which is confusing.
@Arkadip Mondal if u had read buddhism.
Hi Doug, thank you so much for discussing this topic. Do you have a video, or can you to point me to anywhere that reconciles Buddhism with the Abrahamic religions? That already sounds like I have a monotheistic viewpoint, I see that. I started my studies with Buddhism, and now that I am reading the Quran and Bible, I am thinking - how can I discount these books?! Ok, well, such it is. Thanks again, and any guidance is appreciated.
Well I'm not sure how you are thinking about reconciling Buddhism with the Abrahamic religions. There are similarities to be sure but there are also differences. And there are different forms of each, so there are some Christians whose belief and practice is quite close to Buddhism, as there are some Buddhists whose belief and practice is quite close to Christianity. (For example, Pure Land Buddhism). So it's all nuanced and complicated! I have an earlier video on people who blend them too: czcams.com/video/8wstShpo3Y8/video.html
Thank you, Doug! Great points. I will look at that video now.
Q: Is Buddhism Atheist?
A: Mu.
Your discussion of the Anguttara Nikaya, about whether a creator god leads to a deterministic/fatalistic world, reminded me of the song Tenohira De Odoru by Sokoninaru. "Assuming that God has a will, we've already been programmed by Him." Apparently their guitarist studied Buddhist Philosophy at uni, and those kinds of themes are all over their music.
Interesting, thanks cat!
Could you read and comment on the book "Buddha and his Dhamma" by Dr. BR Ambedkar
Thanks DS K, I did a video on that awhile back: czcams.com/video/qlH_qieCgCA/video.html
@@DougsDharma Thanks for making a video on it, I liked your viewpointsđ. I think both Buddhism and Ambedkar's views agree and lead to a society upholding compassion,justice and fraternity
Buddhism isn't about to know the beginning its always about the present and learning how to end, in theravada buddhism or any type u could be anything u could be god and most importantly buddha himself , so in buddhism there's no choosen one its us who chooses ourselves we don't need to depend on anyone we're the only one who is going to face the consequences of our actions that may be good or bad, that's the life part or surface part of buddhism i mean i learned a lot in sri lanka about theravada buddhism or also known as the elders way , wipassana meditation is one of the worlds most complex type pf meditation some says its mindfulness but its not its about understanding deep down wippassana means in like asking that means we ask ourselves what is right and wrong and observe our thoughts observe our actions observe our behavior helps to manage desire to everything which then would help to overcome anger , stress and simply everything in life cuz if we don't get what we desire we get angry, stressed and most of the tine we wouldn't have that problem either cuz if we could watch our thought and how those thoughts would make future thoughts and what are the consequences .in movie if someone dies in the beginning do u care no but what about jack in titanic its like that u don't have emotions , i mean not like an savage but more in a calm manner i think then ur simply god.
That's right Raymond, it's all about working with the present. Thanks.
Are there similarities in values between Budhhism and Positive Nihilism? Could you make a video about it?
I donât know enough about positive nihilism to be sure Srishti. I know the Buddha was very opposed to what he termed ânihilismâ in his day.
As I understand Buddha nature in my own practice and study, itâs that we all have the potential to become Buddhas but we have to awaken to our true nature. In vajrayana practice or at least the Karma Kagyu place I dig, we are trained to see all beings as yidams and buddhas. A shroud over the wish fulfilling gem. I think it can be interpreted as deistic in a way and/or evangelical even. There is evangelical pure land Buddhism or described as such.
Nonetheless Iâll close with the Shantideva quote that sums up what Iâve been taught from BodhisattvacaryÄvatÄra:
ââGod is the cause of the world.' Tell me, who is God? The elements? Then why all the trouble about a mere word? (119) Besides the elements are manifold, impermanent, without intelligence or activity; without anything divine or venerable; impure. Also such elements as earth, etc., are not God.(120) Neither is space God; space lacks activity, nor is atman-that we have already excluded. Would you say that God is too great to conceive? An unthinkable creator is likewise unthinkable, so that nothing further can be said.â
Yes, thanks roxyamused!
thank you Doug you are appreciated đđâ€
đđ My pleasure, Isaac.
I am an atheist but a person truly admirer of the Buddha and his teachings. I donât have any problem in being atheist and practicing Dharma.
Thatâs right Vajra Amitayu, atheism really shouldnât be an issue for Buddhists.
This channel deserves millions of subscribers
Thanks and feel free to share! đ
My last comment disappeared and probably for a good reason..SMILES I just want to thank you for putting this video out. I wonder if you would interested in working with the Buddhist Council of New York? Just a thought. Palms Together....
I'm not sure why your last comment disappeared BuddhaLove, but thanks for this one! It's an interesting idea though I don't know them.
The Buddha speaks of powerful sentient beings, not gods. Sentient beings are subject to the same phenomena of dependence. Ontologically Buddhism is atheistic as it rejects the notion of a God.
Yes, that's definitely one way to look at it.
I imagine that this is the best path, and more according to Dharma concept, Buddhism ever respect local gods when converted some people, some Cambodians buddhista workship Ganesha, some mongols are tengriists and buddhists ... etc...
Thatâs right. I think Buddhism works fine alongside a polytheistic religion. It can even work alongside a monotheistic religion, but itâs a bit more difficult.
Doug's Secular Dharma Indeed. Buddhists in Thailand still worship Hindu deities. In monotheistic religions, you have to work around it since their teachings were kinda exclusivist. But Iâve seen Christians or Muslims who managed to make it work.
It would be interesting to know the similarity/difference of thai theravada and hinduism in regards to the gods and brahma.
Mark Salazar yeah,Here in Sri Lanka we buddhists also worship and do rituals of hindu gods..but we never practice hinduism,vedas etc..Most of buddists dont know even principles of Hinduism..we only know their names and people like to get blessed from them.thats it..example..there is a famous hindu temple in southern Sri Lanka which is dedicated for god karthika..wonder is Sinhalese Buddists have built it and conducted rituals untill today for thousand years.Hindus come all over the world and worship it..but no one knows who is karthika..I also learnt it so recently..that he is tha brother of Ganesh and the son of Shiva..I think our thai brothers also like that...We buddists
respect and worship hindu gods for blessings but do not follow hinduism..
Buddhism comes from ancient history, without conquring and converting people. In buddhism following his pathway you will never go wrong, this is the gospel truth. just imagine a buddhist sculpture in afganistan was distroyed. These are the mistakes other religion makes.
Our house the Zen monks came/come several evenings every month to pray for the passed whose names change after passing.
Interesting Jan. Several evenings every month seems unusually often.
Doug's Dharma 8 generations house hold, next door to 500 year old Zen monastery where step great Grandmother was a key patron. Iâd just hear the chanting, bell walking down the hall in evening, occasionally catch glimpse. Never really picked up on the schedule.
Where you did buy this Buddha picture behind you?
Recently become buddhist, im a dieheard atheist... thanks lsd đ
đđ
Saaaammmeđ
I took 4 g of mushrooms, wrote down my thoughts, and in hindsight I basically became an atheist Buddhist too. I texted my friends âI think the hippies were rightâ haha
The Buddha does not sanction the use of drugs.
@@YahLion77 1) the Buddha was a human teacher, not a god. IMO we should embrace the deeper meaning of his teachings and not be constrained by rules, especially if we have good reason. Compassion, wellbeing and insight should take precedent over prohibitions. 2) Call them âdrugsâ if you like but Buddhism/mindfulness meditation and mushrooms are two sides of the same experience. Itâs not like getting drunk on alcohol (which I believe Buddhaâs original prohibition pertained to, I.e. intoxication). My mushroom experience helped me to pierce the illusion of the self/ego, understand interbeing, viscerally experience the preciousness of life, feel compassion for âlesserâ life forms, made me want to support and help all other sentient things, and helped me conquer my fear of death. Itâs the reference point for my meditation and allowed me to spontaneously generate joy and gratitude. It put me on the path to insight that Iâm currently on. Iâm just a beginner but I very much doubt the Buddha would be against that for the sake of presuming what he would or would not sanction.
Thank you for the vales you add. Buddha was concerned with elimination of suffering and showed people how to. God is concerned in general obedience, because he said so. He needs people pray to him (ego in action). Seems like buddha did not waist his or people time to talk about myths. He was a solution oriented person and practical step to efficacy of life for humanity.It is not that he was atheist the question, the question is why people still believe imaginary being mad of images in mind.
Thanks for your thoughts Davoud! đ
davoud derogar u know hebrew israelite religion????
How many Buddhists do you know who have personally met Tara, or Avalokakitishvara? Or their teachers, or their teachers teachers...?
Good question Robert! I can't say I know any.
How about the stories about Indra peering the Buddha and asking him to teach? I've read numerous places that Buddha even taught the Gods.
Yes in the video I mention that the Buddha was called the teacher of gods and men. Indeed the famous story is that Brahma Sahampati asked the Buddha to teach after the awakening.
The ultimate goal of following Buddhism is to get connected to Nature. We Buddhists not at all believe in God.
Yes, I think that's one way to understand it Aditya, if you see "dharma" as "nature".
What then causes reincarnation? Karma or dharma? Why do anything to seek non-existence being one with the universe if there is no purpose or plan to any of it.
In my language, the word for "god" and "deva" convey completely different meanings and feelings. I'd never call devas gods and call gods devas. Devas are not gods, gods are not devas, and therefore Buddhism can't be considered theistic in any sense, western or eastern.
Right, these words can be confusing since people use them differently all the time. The usual English translation for "deva" is "god", though it's not a god in the Greek or Roman sense, nor is it God in the sense of Christian theology.
very true, Word devas should be translated in to Luxury, skillfull aliens..
Do you suggest I watch the videos in a linear fashion, or just jump around?
Jumping around is fine. The more âlinearâ stuff is either in playlists or my courses over at the Online Dharma Institute.
Hi can anyone tell me if buddhists believe in a soul or like a different type of soul or a soul that isn't eternal and what happens when you have reached enlightenment and you stop reincarnating if someone could answer these questions it would really help me.
Well there are somewhat different answers in different schools of Buddhism. But in general (and in the early teachings) there is no "soul" in the sense of a permanent, unchanging self that continues through time. Instead there are only mental states of one kind or another that come into being and pass away due to causes and conditions. When you reach enlightenment, it's traditionally understood that rebirth ceases. Other than that, the status of the enlightened person after death is one of the Buddha's famous "unanswered questions": czcams.com/video/59FXAW3AS2I/video.html
I think Gods in buddhist context can be understood as inteligent extraterrestrial life or being.
Thanks for your reply, Buddha Dharma. Yes, many gods in Buddhism could be understood as powerful extraterrestrial beings. However there are also supposed to be godly denizens of other realms of existence, such as the formless realms and so on, that if they existed would be quite outside our normal universe. They would of course also be mortal though.
We still do not know many things about our universe. Even some say there is multiverse.
Could be, who knows? The cosmology is very speculative, and likely will be for the foreseeable future.
I am not cosmologist. I do not have a telescope to observe space. So I dont know whether the cosmology is speculative or not. Are you cosmologist?
Buddha Dharma
Yes,there are many strange undiscovered things in this universe
And theyre not actually gods theyre actually cosmic beings
No matter how good or perfect a god is. You should still not look for anything to help you awaken outside yourself. This is what the Buddha is getting at
That's right Summer. Dharma practice has to be done by oneself. Nobody else can do it for us.
Doug's Secular Dharma
Will you ever discuss what the Buddha said about the âcreationâ of the universe. This site talks about Buddhist conceptions of it blogs.transparent.com/thai/creation-according-to-buddha/
Great Tathagata told way of life and peace .
Exactly so Santosh, thanks!
GREAT TOPIC. THANKS.... IS GOD ATHEIST? MANY PEOPLE ASK ME THIS QUESTION TO BEGIN WITH...SPECIALLY CATOLICS AND OTHER RELIGIONS... IS A QUESTION I HAD FOR MANY YEARS I THINK I WAS 6 YEARS OF AGE WHEN I START NOT UNDERSTANDING MY PARENTS REGARDING THEIR BELIEVES AND PRACTICES. IS A KEY WAY TO START TO WAKE UP SOME ONE WHO DO NOT KNOW WHAT BUDDHISM IS ALL ABOUT...IS A FAST WAY TO CREATE CURIOSITY AND ALSO A WAY TO BEGIN A TRULY GREAT CONVERSATION.... BASED IN CURIOSITY AND LATER CHANGES FOR INTERESTING SERIOUSLY IN THE BUDDHA TALKS.
đđ
Im a theravada buddhist from sri lanka. We dont believe in all powerful, all knowing gods in our teaching. But there are teachings of non-human beings in the universe. Those beings "deva" "brahma" is known to visit budhdha to clarify doubts they had. So I think buddhist picture is non-theistic.
Btw we respect budhdha as the teacher not as a god.
Nice video. đ
Yes indeed pushpika chathuranga, that parallels the perspective of the early teachings. đ
"Buddha" itself is a "name/title" for those who has achieved full englightenment.. God give the title..originally not only to Sidharta (but many more). Above Buddhas and Devas.. there are one God.. who creates us and this whole universe.
Buddhas..Devas.. and other Sacreds/Saints are delivering lessons in parts of the worlds..thus existed whats called Religions.
Thanks of all.
The buddha have never get in debating about the existing of god. Therefore, buddhism is also not atheist. The buddha only taught how to judge problem that relate god but never cofirm or discuss its existense or not. Because both are fall to two extreme fault views and definitly clinging.
Thanks for your comment, Phra Uckaradet Mettigo. Yes, the Buddha never explicitly said "There is no God", and I think that question would not really have interested him very much.
Have you ever studied Abhidhamma?
Yes, Buddha never said that there is no God but Buddha strongly concluded that there is no being, who is permanent, who is all powerful like a God we can say.
do you have video about Korean buddhism and how it is different ?
I haven't touched on Korean Buddhism in any detail, I don't know much about it, and my focus is mostly on early Buddhism.
In buddhism itself actually consists of many branches (taoism, mahayana, etc etc). The Buddha here..the buddhism the world know is the Siddharta Gautama (originated from nepal/india)
"Buddha" is more like a title. The title given by God to those who achieves full englightenment and awakening. The Buddhas and some gods (deities?) are originally from human beings. Kwan Im, Maitreya, and many more are parts of buddhism as well (mostly originated in China~~ )
Above all of them (the Buddhas, deities, Saints, Jesus, Prophet Muhammad) are the one and only, God.
From our point of view, if we believe in them, practice their lessons and learn deeper we're not atheist.
So its interesting to know how Buddha Siddharta see and think about God hmm
Yes it is.
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Neah
Where it is??????
It's definitely not
I'm hindu Brahman considering to convert to Buddhism
Glad to hear it, I hope you find what you're looking for!
I AM NEW HERE. I WOULD LIKE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE PHILOSOPHY OF BUDDHISM
Welcome! đ
I can't help but wonder when you hear some of these Thai Forest ajaans talking about their firsthand personal experiences with the beings in different realms. For instance, Ajaan Lee talking about how you can, if you develop the iddhis, visit the hell realms, hungry ghost realms, deva and brahma realms, develop clairvoyance, clairaudience, and so on: is he just saying that to non-awakened people to rouse them to practice more vigorously, or is there actually some phenomenological experience there? Another example is Thanissaro talking about how Ajaan Fuang could read people's minds. If the latter, how are we to account for it? We know the geography is totally inaccurate, the world isn't flat, there doesn't seem to be a Mt. Sineru, but if these are genuine experiences, how are we to account for them? Perhaps meditative states akin to lucid dreams? An upwelling of some kind of Jungian collective unconscious? Maybe the mind reading is just a high sensitivity to nonverbal cues? I don't know.
Certainly they are appearances. Are they accurate? Careful, controlled tests of such claims up until now have shown nothing significant.
@@DougsDharma I'm inclined to suspect it might have something to do with the trace amine DMT. A lot of the imagery you read from trip reports in Strassman's 'The Spirit Molecule' and in Shanon's 'Antipodes of the Mind' plus various reports on Erowid are consistent with descriptions and depictions you find of Nagas and Devas. Shiva and Ganesh are commonly reported, even in some instances when the person taking the trip has never seen an artist rendering of those figures. We know from some contemplative neuroscience that the jhanas are related to the limbic system, particularly the nucleus accumbems, so you already have neurotransmitters being modulated by the practice. It doesn't seem like a huge leap from the monoamines like dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin to the hallucinogenic DMT, which is extremely close in its chemical structure to serotonin if you were to practice in a specific way.
@@DougsDharma I wanna say it has something to do with neurotransmitters (particularly the monoamines) and perhaps trace amines (particularly DMT). For instance, when Leigh Brasington went through the jhanas in an fMRI, they found a hyperactivation of the nucleus accumbens, like a self-stimulating loop in the reward center, which would likely imply a massive release of dopamine and noradrenaline. The latter of which might account for the kriyas many people experience with the large bursts of piti in the first jhana.Involuntary trembling, that sort of thing. You see these same kinds of well, tics we might call them, in people who abuse drugs that act on those systems, for instance various amphetamines. Leigh thinks that the second jhana has more to do with endocrines, specifically opioids like beta endorphin, since the exhilaration of the piti recedes and the body experiences a sense of ease and relaxation (sukha). I could see it being possible that if you practiced in a certain way, it might bring about visions mediated perhaps by the trace amine DMT or the serotonergic system more broadly, given that the main binding affinities for the classical tryptamines like psilocin, DMT, and LSD are at the 5ht2a serotonin receptor site. In a lot of the reports you see in Strassman's book 'The Spirit Molecule' and Shanon's 'Antipodes of the Mind' (which was more concerned with ayahuasca than raw DMT) and also the trip reports on Erowid, you see a lot of overlap in terms of these archetypical entities. It's common to find reports of people seeing Hindu devas like Shiva, Ganesh, Krishna, Gandharvas and Nagas etc. consistent with artist renderings. Curiously enough, some of these instances occur in subjects with no familiarity with such renderings or even those specific religious traditions, which raises the further question of how these images came to arise. Kind of a chicken/egg question. Did the visions inspire the renderings, or the other way around? In any case, contemplative neuroscience and neurotheology more broadly may provide us with a better understanding of these phenomena in due time.
I am born Hindu but now i m converting it to Buddhism đ
That's nice to hear One And Only. You might be interested in this video I made about the Buddha's surprising advice to converts: czcams.com/video/9ge9N5aw2Jc/video.html
One And Only me toođ
@@DougsDharma thank u so much
Very nice and helpful video
@@niravchaudhari4554 đgood
I was also born a Hindu and now think about converting to Buddhism. but Jain also sounds good.
Am India Buddhist, on the Ambedkar of Ambedkar. Am an atheist
Thanks Ashok! đ
@Avdhoot Mohite no
I would take another look at the usefulness of such beliefs. Today we have programmers who program everything manually in a low context language such as C, and programmers who use AI, to whom they describe high context ideas of what they want their program to do and how to function, and then they work with what the AI has produced.
Then when humans use the mind and subconscious, go into states of hypnosis, meditation and prayer, they use natural language to tell the mjnd what to do and which beliefs they want to direct their life from the subconscious. And the more deeply they believe in the change and the more powerful beliefs support the change, the more successful they are in implementing that change. But there is still the sweet spot between fanatic delusion and materialistic grinding (as a technical practice, not a religious worldview).
Buddha was a god in a heaven called thusitha in his previous incarceration. A brahma called sahampathi invited him to go human world and get the state of buddha. After getting that state , then sahampathi brahma again invited him to teach the dhamma discovered by him to humans. Before someone get the state of buddha, he is called bodhisattva. That means the person who aspire the state of buddha. These aspects are there in some sutta but i dont know the name of it. The extend of gods in buddhism is that they are a kind of being who are better than humans. I know one sutta which include aspects about gods. That is vimanavattu. Vimanas are the houses of gods. But supergods in high heavens like thusitha above are living in mansions which are highly customized to them. If you see these suttas, you will see these aspects.
Thanks Sn Thilakarathna. Yes, the sutta in which Brahma Sahampati is said to have requested that the Buddha teach is in Majjhima NikÄya 26, The AriyapariyesanÄ Sutta. đ
Thanks, i didnt know that name. But i heard those from somewhere. I will look them..
It means God's are alien đȘđ đđđđđđđđđđđđđđđđđđđđđđ
đI guess in a way of thinking of it, maybe so for early Buddhism!
Buddhism is nor atheist and neither theist
It is realistic.
Believe in reality.
Sure! đ
Have you ever read or heard about the buddist scriptures of Cambodia where he prophisized Jesus saving humanity.
Haven't heard of that one, nope.
@Doug's Secular Dharma I personally don't care whether someone created the universe or not.why? it doesn't matter at all. You can be a good person even if don't believe in a God. We are living in a world where we suffer everyday from materialism even though most of people don't realize this. Getting rid of the attachment is the key to achieve true happiness.that's what we should focus on and not the question of creation.
Exactly so Oshada, thanks! đ
Sorry but I don't agree. I had nothing for 10 years. I was living in a Toyota. It sucked. Not life itself, but the cops hassle you all the time and when you are most vulnerable, young bucks will strike, in groups. And this was in Hawaii.
Read the Moral Animal and it clearly makes sense out of our existence - no holds barred.
The author, Robert Wright, recently put out a book on Buddhist thought. I guess he misses some of that old time religion he grew up with in Oklahoma. I, on the other hand, grew up with Catholicism. Most of us that leave - don't go looking for salvation, unlike people who grew up in a Protestant denomination.
I don't have any answers to metaphysical questions. I think that if Einstein could not wrap his mind around it, it's presumptuous to assume I can
Budhisium is atheist ok
Yes, depending on how one understands atheism it is. Thanks Ranjeet.
Some religions have contradictory statements such as : Don't bow, pray, sanctify and exalt other creatures, living beings and inanimate objects but only God.
In reality when they perform their ceremonies and their prayers, they do the things that have been banned themselves such as : bow, pray, sanctify and exalt the dead normal humans, buildings or inanimate objects.
What's going on, man!!!
@@DougsDharma all atheism is, is a lack of belief in a god or gods
Secular Buddhism is an oxymoron term/concept. You're trying hard to mix mash a post-Enlightenment concept with an Indo-Asiatic concept, while many would remain silent on your heresy, that wouldn't make it a case that you're right.
By definition, "secular" denotes to attitudes, activities, or other things that have no religious or spiritual basis. Buddhism is not secular, nor it's really Atheistic as Western modernist perpetuate. You clearly got a problem with the religion you were born into (Christianity), that doesn't mean you should mix up and drag all religions into your problem.
Sorry to put you under the magnifying glass, but I believe it's less internally conflicting to be honest with oneself if you wish to be a Buddhist, then be, and follow the dharma. If you wish to be secular/Atheist, then be properly Atheistic.
đ Thanks for your thoughts! Your assumptions about me are incorrect. I was not born Christian and have never been Christian nor a member of any other religion. Iâve done a number of videos on secular Buddhism that might inform you more about what it means. Another is here, on whether secular Buddhism is an oxymoron: czcams.com/video/DWZAPjKlASM/video.html
Thank god Im not the only one who thinks how wrong this guy is
Buddhism is definitely a religion, just not a monotheistic Abrahamic religion
Atavi
Itâs not a religion in the sense that youâre bound by some god but itâs more of a way of life or spiritual tradition, philosophical practice
Thank you for your videos, I have subscribed.
Personally, I feel that words like atheist or theist are not useful. They are applicable only for those whose knowledge of the unknown beings are limited and their world of religion is either one creator god or none. I asked many of them that if I believe gods exist but I don't worship or believe "in" any one of them, will they describe me as an atheist, theist or agnostic, they will keep quiet or call me a troll đ
Yes thanks Stanley. True, often such terms aren't very helpful and they can easily be misunderstood as well.
The value of a religion / faith / way of life is to evaluate oneself and attain oneness with the supreme..in this video there's constant comparison to brahman, brahma and how those ways are confusing, conflicting and such..interesting how one tries to prove the path one has chosen is better because the other path is wrong!! đ
Yes, well the aim of the early Buddhist path is towards global non-clinging. So itâs a different aim from that of oneness with something.
#pantheism
#kejawen
Pete josss kejawen
#notgoingtoheaven
Buddhism=Atheism â
In the sense of the God of theology, yes. đ
Some religions have contradictory statements such as : Don't bow, pray, sanctify and exalt other creatures, living beings and inanimate objects but only God.
In reality when they perform their ceremonies and their prayers, they do the things that have been banned themselves such as : bow, pray, sanctify and exalt the dead normal humans, buildings or inanimate objects.
What's going on, man!!!
In short: it's polytheistic, but can be made atheistic if you want to. The meaning of many Buddhist practices don't depend on the existence of any supernatural beings, anyway.
That's right, though "polytheistic" only understanding that these gods are not immortal.
Thank you!
Brahmas exist in the fine meterial and non meterial realms and the chief of brahmas in the non and fine metrial realm is called the Maha Brhama.. He has had many conversations with Buddha during the life time of Lord Buddha...
In the Aggajja sutra where Lord Buddha explained about the begining of the world it is reported that the beings which travelled to this world after the earth was ready to reinhabited were from Abassara brahma world.
The first beings were living on happiness, light emiting, floating on the air etc, and when they saw the curd like substance on earth they felt desire to taste it.. As soon as they did they lost their fine light emiting souls and got a coarse body ..
This is similar to the Adam and Eve and the desire to taste apples ( I thought) ..So keeping the creator aside the beings arrived on earth from the Brhama worlds in the similar forms to Gods but desire changed everything.
Reversing this action will get you back home with God(s..)
Lastly in the book of of 31 planes of existance by Aleck Robertson one form of Gods are believed to exist that create things for this world they design they test them and they redo designs if it doesn't work .. They are found to have fun creating stuff and this realm is called Nimmana Rathiya...meaning creating realm....
Thanks for the info Dilini!
If everyone follows buddhism , today their wont be any violence. Buddha has a great way of teaching about life . Thats why Xi jin Ping wants to re write the bible and the quran to avoid violence. Xi jin ping is a strong buddhist himself and he wants peace and harmony.
The Buddha's teaching was not concerned at all if there was a God or Creator. His teaching centered around the action of an individual.....and in that sense it is very practical and applicable to the modern day....
Yes I think so too, thanks trankt54155!
I come from a Buddhist family and I believe there are such things called heavenly realms with millions of high vibrational divine/angelic souls in our universe. As I know and according to Buddhism these gods/angels are not immortal they just live a very long life there because of their good karma and we also must remember that we all are nothing but the conscience so every soul must end their karmic cycle to attend the Nirwana. Until then if we live a very positive life full of love and kindness, we can also reincarnate as a divine being in one of those heavens that's how I've been taught about gods in Buddhism sometimes I feel like that nature/ universe is like the supreme god that everyone talks about but as I think in Buddhism we don't focus too much on such things as a god, instead of that we focus on our mind and our reality because again mind is literally the everything all the power we have is carried within ourselves not the outside that's why when we reprogram our subconscious mind reality shifts as how we want it to be. That's how powerful we are
thank you for all humankind
My pleasure!