Buddhism & God/s

Here is one view of God from a Japanese Mahayana perspective.
I do not agree with this totally. However it may be suitable for some
in the appropriate circumstances.

Source:
http://www.buddhanet.net/filelib/genbud/budagod.zip

IS THERE A GOD?  A BUDDHIST ANSWER
                                   by
                            Rev Taitetsu Unno

        IS THERE A GOD?

Yes, but a proper Buddhist answer requires some clarification.
In the depth of human awareness is a supreme reality who is boundless in
compassion and immeasurable in wisdom and who is involved in the endless
activity to enlighten all existence.

Amida Buddha is this fullness of compassion, and his sole concern is the
expression of unconditional love to every form of life.

        AMIDA BUDDHA

Amida Buddha differs radically from the traditional Judaeo-christian concept of
God, because of the following characteristics.

1.  Amida Buddha is not a creator, but he is a saviour who performs his
compassionate work without any condition whatsoever.
2.  Amida Buddha does not judge or punish man, for man is responsible for his
own acts and invites the consequences, good or bad, of his acts.
3.  Amida Buddha does not perform miracles, but he manifests his saving
compassion through the rhythem of natural laws.
4.  Amida Buddha is not transcendent, standing outside this world; but he is
immanent, for his very being is rooted in the limitations of this world which
will be transformed by the power of Amida's love.
5.  Amdia Buddha is not a wrathful or jealous God; rather, the power of
compassion fulfilled in his Original Vow completes tlhe promise that he will
not rest until all beings attain the same enlightenment, Buddhahood, as
himself.
6.  Amida Buddha does not discriminate in any form, whether of belief or creed,
moral good or moral evil, human life or animal life, but he embraces all in
Oneness with equal warmth.
7.  Amida Buddha does not show his love by the blood of crucifixion,
sacrificing his own being, but by making his compassion accessible to mankind
through the Nembutsu, his sacred name, which resounds throughout the universe.
Wherever his sacred name, Namu Amida Butsu, is pronounced, there he is.

Amida Buddha is the timeless content of enlightenment realized by the
historical Buddha, Shakyamuni.  Amida means boundless compassion and
immeasurable wisdom.  Immeasurable wisdom sees into the fragility of human
life, and boundless compassion is moved by this insight to actively embrace all
live into the timeless fulfillment of truth.

FRUITLESS QUESTIONS

Shakyamuni was asked many questions which are being asked today:  such as,
        Is there a God?
        Who created the world?
        Is there life after death?
        Where is heaven and hell?
The classic answer given by the Buddha was silence.  He refused to answer these
questions purposely, because "these profit not, nor have they anything to do
with the fundamentals of the religious life, nor do they lead to Supreme
Wisdom, the Bliss of Nirvana."

Even if answers were given, he said, "there still remains the problems of
birth, old age, death, sorrow, lamentation, misery, grief, and despair--all the
grim facts of life--and it is for their extinction that I prescribe my
teachings."

IS THERE A GOD?

No, not a God of fear and mercy, who is creator and judge; but for me there is Amida Buddha.  The fullness of compassion covers the horizon of my existential experience of reality, and my response is the reciting of the name in humbleness and gratitude, Namu Amida Butsu.

(Rev Taitetsu Unno was Assistant Minister at the Senshin Buddhist Church and UCLA lecturer when this piece was originally written.)


Important Note:
Apply Kalama Sutta

ariyamusafir

There are many gods but in Buddhism, there is no one almighty god creator of everything like the way Christians and Muslims believe. Rather, these gods or known as Devas will one day die too.

ariyamusafir

Please go to the link below that I have posted long time ago:

http://forum.cari.com.my/viewthread.php?tid=116059&fpage=3

Q:   Is there a god in Buddhism as in Christianity?
A:   It is difficult to compare Buddhism with Christianity. One would have to say, however, there is no God in Buddhism in the way that God in Christianity is commonly understood.

Q:   What does Buddhist believe?
A:   Different Buddhist believe different things, but the nature of belief is itself an important issue in Buddhism. Belief is to be seen as belief, not as fact. When we see our beliefs as facts, then we are deluding ourselves. When we see our beliefs as beliefs, then we are not. Seeing things in their true light is the most important thing in Buddhism. Deluding ourselves is the cause of much suffering. So buddhists try to see beliefs as beliefs. They may still believe in certain things - that is their prerogative - but they do not cling to those beliefs; they do not mind or worry about whether their beliefs are true or not, nor do they try to prove that which they know cannot be proved. Ideally though, a Buddhist does not indulge in any kind of belief.

[ Last edited by ariyamusafir on 8-6-2005 at 08:40 PM ]

KaiserPheonix

I have to agree with Arya. In Buddhism Scriptures, the religion stressess more on personal salvation, not the question of who is the God or not.

From what I know, Gods in Buddhism has close connection with Hindu Devas, but Buddha himself does not identify which God is to be revered. Anyone who attained Nirvana could be a God, as stated by the story of Kuan Yin.

If a creator could be defined, it is as Buddha liturgy stated, the Creation Budha. Buddha is not a single entity, such as Chrsit or Mohd, bot rather a generic form to address one whom has enlightened.

There are Maitreya Buddha, Healing Buddha, Mi-Lo-Fo, Buddha of the Western Paradise, Buddha of Exceeding LIght. So, Sphy, don;t pint-point.

Moreover, don't confuse Buddhism that is crossed woth Taoism, as proposed in Classic stories of China (Xi You Ji would be an example). Jade Emperor, Xi MU Wang, The Sages and Mu Er Lang that invites Buddha to suubdue Monkey must not confused with Buddhism tehology.

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