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Discussing God as a Buddhist
Hi!
When I look around for existent threads, and don't find them, i make my own. I'm sure this could probably go in a million different places, so please move it if it fits best elsewhere.
Anywhoozles, I'm fairly new to the Buddhist life, so I am still not sure if I consider myself a Buddhist. Although I am devoted to the practices and teachings, there is still much that I am confused about, our "GOD" being one of them.
I had a conversation today with a co-worker who is a devout christian, which is fine, I accept all of my friends' choices and practices, but she's very pushy. She asked me today if I believe in God, and although I know the answer, i didn't really know how to phrase it. I know what my beliefs are, but God is such a broad subject, which God? There are many Gods, do we as Buddhists have a specific God? Is the Buddha considered our God? I just wanted to know, when asked these questions, its easy to explain yourself, "I have faith, but I do not believe in what you do, nor in WHO you do" is easier thought than said...or is it? I felt as though i was being put on the spot, I stand firm to my beliefs, but in the heat of the pressure, how does one answer such a complicated question?
When I look around for existent threads, and don't find them, i make my own. I'm sure this could probably go in a million different places, so please move it if it fits best elsewhere.
Anywhoozles, I'm fairly new to the Buddhist life, so I am still not sure if I consider myself a Buddhist. Although I am devoted to the practices and teachings, there is still much that I am confused about, our "GOD" being one of them.
I had a conversation today with a co-worker who is a devout christian, which is fine, I accept all of my friends' choices and practices, but she's very pushy. She asked me today if I believe in God, and although I know the answer, i didn't really know how to phrase it. I know what my beliefs are, but God is such a broad subject, which God? There are many Gods, do we as Buddhists have a specific God? Is the Buddha considered our God? I just wanted to know, when asked these questions, its easy to explain yourself, "I have faith, but I do not believe in what you do, nor in WHO you do" is easier thought than said...or is it? I felt as though i was being put on the spot, I stand firm to my beliefs, but in the heat of the pressure, how does one answer such a complicated question?
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Comments
If a person believes in god they must know more about it than me so, I hear them out, if their purpose to engage in some sort of meaningful conversation. Perhaps come up with something complementary, register emotion or simply nod.
Most gods in the "Buddhist pantheon" (which can vary widely depending on which tradition and school you are studying) are considered to be another class of unenlightened beings, just as humans are.
The Buddha gave varying answers to questions about god(s), depending on who was asking; the gist of the teachings however, is that the question of god or gods is irrelevant to you, to your practice, and to your life. You still have to eat, and sleep, and make a living, and work towards your own awakening, no matter what the answers to those questions are.
If you know what your beliefs are, that's all that matters. There's no right or wrong answer concerning God in my opinion. It really comes down to what you believe, not what you think Buddhists should believe. We all have our own ideas and experiences with the divine.
I'm not exactly sure what you are referring to when you say "many Gods," but I'm thinking you may be speaking of "deities" like Maitreya, Amitabha, Tara, and many more. In Buddhism these figures represent different virtues of the enlightened mind. They are not meant to depict actual beings that exist outside of us. They are visual depictions of positive aspects like compassion, wisdom, loving kindness, etc.
Buddha is absolutely not God, and never declared himself as such. He was a great teacher, but definitely not God.
In general, many Buddhists don't believe in the notion of God as described by the Abrahamic religions (Christianity, Judaism, Islam). The Buddha himself refused to speak when asked about God.
It is a complicated question, and it doesn't have an easy answer. It's fine to tell people that you don't share their views but that you respect theirs.
I wrote a thread about my beliefs recently: Are You There God? It's Me, Mugzy.
Mugzy LOL @ the name of your thread, genious! I'm working right now, and until I shouted BAHAHAHAHA, it was pretty quiet in the office.
I appreciate everyone's comments, and clairification
Will you marry me? Anybody who uses the word "anywhoozles" is okay in my book!
Seriously (ahem..), to my way of (very limited) thinking, "God" isn't an entity, or a being. "God" (or whatever you want to call it) is the energy that makes all life possible. It's not some old bearded white guy sitting up in the clouds, and it's not separate from what you are, and what the stone under your feet is, and what makes the sun shine. It's all the same thing. I find it to be both incredibly simple and incredibly complicated all at the same time. Most people I meet can't "get" what I'm saying, which is why I rarely say it, especially to "Christians" (I nearly always use the quotes when referring to the vast majority of people in the world who call themselves that).
Mtns
Sometimes when people are really pushy with us, its best to just validate their question without answering it. I've had to say something like "that's deeply personal for me" on a few occasions, and even "You sound as though you love Christ a lot, isn't being compassionate an awesome goal?" There is no compelling reason to bring confusion into the conversation, even if she asks for it...
With warmth,
Matt
Whatever God is, one thing is clear, its complicated, but its love, and faith, and in the end...we all need faith...right?
Whatever God is, one thing is clear, its complicated, but its love, and faith, and in the end...we all need faith...right?
Whatever God is, one thing is clear, its complicated, but its love, and faith, and in the end...we all need faith...right?
*tries to dig it up on google*
I failed but I'll try to give you the jist of it
"If you ask a priest what god, is he will tell you that god is everywhere, that he is everything, and that he always has and always will be. If you ask a scientist what energy is, he will tell you that energy is everywhere, that it is in everything, and that it always has and always will be"
Something along those lines anyways haha. The way they put it is better
Seeker242 that's actually a great idea
Mountains, I have yet to visit to Tucson, as its nearly two hours away from my house, but im game for mexican food anytime, Thanks for the advice!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/God_in_Buddhism
aghhh this is where i watch my Texan tounge
@atappa Thanks for the link, it was very helpful! There's a bit I find difficult to understand, but the vast majority of it was quite comprehensible. I guess I just wonder how different branches of Buddhism develop different theories on who Buddha is, for example the differences between Theravada Buddhists and Mahayana Buddhists. I suppose it all comes down to how the two perceive him.
On another note, sounds like with all these questions I have, I need to find a teacher soon, perhaps this question needs to be moved elsewhere, but does anyone know of a site to find a Temple close to home? Or a Teacher?
Thanks.
Thanks again
metta
P.S Brandon: That quote from my thread is great. haha. Glad you used it.
thanks for the movie reference.
EDIT: what the heck?
A priest approaches the meditating buddha and asks.
Sir " Are you God, a prophet or some sort of super human being who has come to save mankind"
Buddha replies " Sir I am like a LOTUS that rises above from the water but water is not able to touch it. Similarly I am a human being an enlightened one who is above this world where the worldly materialistic feelings and emotions cannot touch me." "I have understood that the human suffering is unevitable and the human attachement to materialistic world, the root cause of suffering".
Its not an exact verse to verse translation but I have tried to explain the conversation betweeen buddha and the prient through my own understanding.
Hope that helps.
As for Buddha when asked what he was weather god or man he proclaimed he was awake, A Buddha is a person who has cleared all mental obstructions, Completely purified all negativity, Trained in the higher Disciplines, Accomplished Liberation from Samsara ( The cycle of uncontroled death and rebirth ) and acheived great enlightenment ( Union of Great bliss and emptiness ) Buddhists take refuge in the 3 Jewels Buddha, Dharma and Sangha. The Buddha being the primary source of all the teachings and accomplishments we take refuge in him for wishing to develop the same good qualities, The same good qualities that will protect us from Samsaric suffering, We take refuge in the Dharma as it is the way to develop the good qualities and freedom of a Buddha, The way to become a Buddha, We take refuge in the sangha who are the community of spiritual practitoners on the path of Dharma because they help guide and inspire us to accomplish these states.
It is not about worship for sake of filling a Deities ego, But rather a proclaimation of aspiring faith that seeks freedom from suffering by turning to those that have accomplished the highest goals.
...
addresses all the basic questions regarding the nature of Buddhist practice. It is by a widely respected long-time teacher. It is an easy accessable read. I would suggest reflecting on its contents and seeing what conclusions you come to, before answering other peoples questions.
The movie? What it asserts? ?? ?
oh.. just not quite what I expected going in. for a second I thought it was a success seminar.
the family was bored and confused so I turned it off. I'll have to take a look again later with a more open mind. seems to be based on a good idea (the law of Attraction/power of positive thinking etc). i'd have to watch more though before forming a proper opinion.