Buddhism as an Atheistic Religion
Are Atheists Potential Buddhists and do Buddhists Believe in a God?
Jan 6, 2009
What is Buddhism if not a religion? Is it another word for atheism? Often characterized an atheistic religion, Buddhism is sometimes classed as a way of life. Buddhism is about leading a moral life, developing wisdom and understanding of all things, and becoming totally aware of thoughts and actions around you. Buddhists believe living this way will bring peace to the world.
Buddhist Teachings: The Buddha
Buddhanet explains the teachings of Buddhism. Buddhism is derived from the word Buddhi, meaning 'to awaken'. Buddhists believe that a man called Siddhartha Gotama experienced an awakening over 2,500 years ago and he is known as Buddha. Buddhists don't worship idols but they try to live as Buddha did and they pay respect to him in the hope that they may become enlightened.
Buddhism teaches The Four Noble Truths and The Noble Eightfold Path. The first noble truth is that there is much suffering in life, that everything in life somehow causes suffering. The second is that this suffering is caused by desire, and the extent of the suffering depends on the individual and the circumstance. For example, the desire to want back a lost loved one is clearly worse suffering than that of someone who failed to get a promotion.
The third noble truth is that suffering can come to an end and happiness can be found. The fourth and last noble truth is that by following The Noble Eightfold Path you can end all suffering. The Noble Eightfold Path is defined by Buddhanet as "being moral (through what we say, do and our livelihood), focussing the mind on being fully aware of our thoughts and actions, and developing wisdom by understanding the Four Noble Truths and by developing compassion for others."
Buddhism as an Atheistic Religion
Grolier Multimedia Encyclopedia says, "it is virtually impossible to tell the size of the Buddhist population today." However in 2004 it was estimated that around 367 million people are believed to be Buddhists. If, in fact, Buddhism is a belief for atheists, this number could be bigger. Depending on how you define religion determines whether Buddhism is a religion or not. How, then, does society define religion? The Google web definition of religion states, "that a religion is a strong belief in a supernatural power or powers that control human destiny."
BuddhaNet does not define Buddhism as a religion, but more a philosophy saying, "There is no almighty God in Buddhism. Buddhism is strictly not a religion in the context of being a faith and worship owing allegiance to a supernatural being." Religion Facts concludes that, "Scholars and Buddhists alike tend to describe Buddhism as atheistic in the sense that it denies an eternal creator God, while recognizing its theistic and devotional elements."
Although Buddhism accepts and recognizes other religions, Buddhists do not believe in a God. According to Stableboy, a regular contributor for Answerbag and expert on Buddhism, "Buddhism neither denies nor affirms the existence of God, it promotes tolerance and peaceful coexistence as essential qualities to be developed by all humans, regardless of their religious orientation." As for being an atheistic religion, that depends on whether you believe in being a good person or not.
Finding Buddha: Buddhism Criticized
Some people go to church, some a mosque, some a temple, others their own homes, either way they believe in something. Buddhism is an alternative to religion for those who do not believe in a God but want something to believe in even if it means simply believing in themselves. Everyone has a religion they just don't know what to call it. If you believe that life is lived by morals, wisdom, understanding and consequences of thoughts and actions then you are potentially a Buddhist.
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