Buddhism

=**Buddhism **= = =
 * God: You may be surprised to hear that Buddhism is actually atheistic in nature. There is no God in the sense of classical theism. So, you may now be wondering why Buddhism is classified then under Theistic Worldviews rather than Atheistic Worldviews? The answer is that although Buddhism is more of an atheistic philosophical and psychological set of teachings rather than the standard “religious” system, it does hold that certain forms of supernatural beings do exist – there are gods and demons that exist in the eyes of Buddhists. However, these supernatural beings are not to be worshiped but are rather transient (temporal, finite) beings like humans. Some of those god-like beings are called bodhisattvas (which are beings on earth who desire and achieve “full enlightenment” and help others reach full enlightenment). [1]

The “concept” of God in Buddhism, aside from bodhisattvas and such is the idea of the Absolute, or unifying cosmic force of the universe. Similar to Hinduisms Brahman, the Absolute is the only true reality. The way to reach the Absolute is to free ones self from ignorance and attain nirvana (“perfect peace of the state of mind”).[2]

Before moving on, it is important to note that there are sects of Buddhism that are not as “atheistic” in nature and actually worship a God or gods. Mahayana Buddhists, Zen Buddhists, and Tantric Buddhists all elevate The Buddha (Siddhartha Guatama, the first bodhisattva) to near-divine or divine status.[3] As a result, these sects of Buddhists actually worship the Buddha as a god.


 * Humanity: The concept of a human being is radically different in Buddhism as compared to Western thought. Rather than “a person possessing an eternal soul or even an enduring substance that gives them identity” Buddhists assert that a person is nothing more than a “bundle of properties that are in constant flux.”[4] Furthermore because all living things have equal karmic presence, people and animals are not really different – they are both valuable on the same level.[5]


 * Salvation: Humans are in a continual state birth, death and rebirth known as samsara (pretty much a cycle of reincarnation). The only way to break the vicious cycle of samsara is to build up good karma (which is the laws that govern the reincarnation process). The more good karma you gain the closer you come to attaining nirvana and absolute enlightenment. In that sense, you eventually merge and become one with the Absolute.[6]

Overall, there are diverse views within the Buddhist sects as to how authoritative these scriptures are. Some believe they are all authoritative and should be followed strictly, others affirm that none are authoritative and still others take the stance that some are authoritative.
 * Authority: The primary source of authority for Buddhists is the Tripitaka (Pali Canon). The Tripitaka is a collection of scriptures that is broken down into three distinct groups of writings:[7]
 * 1) Vinaya Pitaka: a group of texts concerning rules of conduct that regulate the community of monks.
 * 2) Sutta Pitaka: a collection of suttas (teaching or discourses) said to have been spoken by Guatama Buddha or his close disciples.
 * 3) Abhidhamma Pitaka: a collection of the Sutta Pitaka texts that are organized to assist in the study of the nature of mind and matter.


 * Time: In Buddhism time is cyclical and eternal. Another words there is no real beginning and no real end. The only concept of “the end” would not be going to a heaven or a hell but rather finally attaining complete nirvana and then merging into the Absolute in a “perfect state of awareness and oneness.”[8] Some Buddhists even say that once you merge with the Absolute you cease to exist (a form of annihilation).


 * Jesus Christ: To Buddhists Jesus Christ is not the Son of God nor is He some Messiah. On the contrary, Buddhists simply believe that Jesus was perhaps an incarnation of The Buddha or even a bodhisattva (beings on earth who desire and achieve “full enlightenment” and help others reach full enlightenment).[9]

[1] Information in this section comes from: House, H. Wayne. // __Charts of World Religions__ //. (Grand Rapids: Zondervan 2006). Chart 9 and Chart 67 [2] Information in this paragraph comes from: Yeats and Blase. // __Worldviews__ //. pgs 89-90 [3] Yeats and Blase. // __Worldviews__ //. pgs 90 [4] House, H. Wayne. // __Charts of World Religions__ //. Chart 67 [5] Yeats and Blase. // __Worldviews__ //. pgs 90-91 [6] Information in this paragraph comes from: Yeats and Blase. // __Worldviews__ //. pgs 91 [7] The three major points come from: // __Charts of World Religions__ //. Chart 67 [8] Yeats and Blase. // __Worldviews__ //. pgs 93 [9] Yeats and Blase. // __Worldviews__ //. pgs 93