Do Buddhists believe in a god?

[Samson]

I'm wondering if Buddhists actually believe in a 'divine' being, god, or some other intelligence that governs the universe or do they just believe in the energy of the 'soul' which is released after death? I'm trying to see where a Buddhists view of everything differs from an atheists?

[Celtaur]

Buddhists believe in many things depending on what sect, including gods and goddesses, but I think they realize they are symbolic of forces in nature, only personified as a more tangible example that is understandable in human terms.

[Samson]

Would you know if the 'forces in nature' you describe are believed by Buddhists to have an intelligence rather than just random happenings?

Are there any Buddhists on this site?

[SyberPsych]

I came accross this video of the Dali Lama exppressing hisd wisdon about Inner Peace, Happiness, God and Money.



Check it out.

[Samson]

Thanks for you video. I'm getting the same thing. Seems Buddhists are atheists in a different wrapper.

[nventr]

After studying with the Buddhists for 10 years, it is my understanding that they understand energies as energies. Buddhists do believe in an overall essence or void from which all things come. This essence is sometimes referred to as, “That Which Is." We Christians call that God.

The Tibetan Buddhists are the exception. They do believe in Gods and Goddesses. I attended a gathering with one of the Dali Lama’s Rinpoches, each time he visited my city. During both visits he focused on worshipping the White Tara, a Goddess.

Buddhism is a Grace/White Energy-based religion. Buddhism is about building peace, hope, and joy. (Note: these are same essences Christians revere at Christmas time.) Buddha’s flower sermon can be equated with the Virgin/Grail path. Peace is the ultimate sign of Holiness for this path.

Buddhism is the exact opposite of the Passion/Kundalini-based religions of Protestant Christian and Hindu. These religions are all about dying to self and killing the flesh. They consider the crucifixion the ultimate sign of Holiness.

You are welcome to explore these two paths further on my website: www.JesusWedding.com

I hope this helps.

[Samson]

Thanks for reply and link.
I'm not seeing the 'void' as anything more than just the universe at work, which to me is not the usual notion of a God in the way a Christian would perceive one. More just like nature at work.

The Tibetan Buddhists believing in Gods and Goddesses is interesting I'll see if i can find more on that but again it's like a religion splintering and the new 'sect' making things up and adding things as it goes along.

I'll have a look at your link.

[Samson]

Posted by mistake.

[nventr]

Thanks for reply and link.
I'm not seeing the 'void' as anything more than just the universe at work, which to me is not the usual notion of a God in the way a Christian would perceive one. More just like nature at work.

The Tibetan Buddhists believing in Gods and Goddesses is interesting I'll see if i can find more on that but again it's like a religion splintering and the new 'sect' making things up and adding things as it goes along.

I'll have a look at your link.

True, most Christians consider God the guy with the beard sitting on the throne. However, in my church God is the same as “The Void.” It seems that once you get out of the duality of Heaven & Hell the only thing left to call God is the workings of the universe. This is the essence of the Jewish ban on images or names of God. Islam too refuses to allow graven images of the Most Divine.

I agree that the Tibetans are a splinter group off the main tree. I do like their “Book of the Dead.” I have had the 6th sense since childhood. I was amazed that there was a book that described almost verbatim what I had seen for years as to what the spirit or soul experiences after death. That helped me to see that I was not crazy. These things do happen.

It seems to me that the cultures that are creative have the most interesting stories and include Gods, Goddesses, and the lesser divine beings like nymphs and such. While the more scientific or logic based cultures refrain from all that creative “nonsense” and move toward a God is a Mystery and thus unknowable style stance.

As to "What is God?" You will have to decide that for yourself.

[Samson]

Can you expand on your '6th sense' experiences? This is where I get confused. It seems to me that Buddhists believe in the happenings in the universe as just a product of nature. In other words random events with no 'thought' behind them, ie, no intelligent design. You, however, seem to be saying that we human beings have a spirit and something happens to it after death.
How do you define 'spirit or soul' and what does it experience after death?