When approaching Buddhism from the perspective of theistic religions (such as Christianity or Islam), many people often ask: “Does the Buddha believe in God?” To understand this question thoroughly, we first need to consider the philosophical context of Buddhism, its view of the world, and the primary purpose of the teachings the Buddha expounded.
Is Buddhism atheistic or nontheistic?
Firstly, we should distinguish between “atheistic” and “nontheistic.”
- Atheistic: Completely denies the existence of any god or Supreme Creator.
- Nontheistic: Does not place emphasis on whether a Supreme Creator exists or not.
In Theravāda Buddhism and most other Buddhist schools, there is no doctrine that acknowledges a single, omnipotent God who created everything, as in Christianity or Islam. However, the Buddha also did not categorically state that “there are absolutely no gods.” In the Buddhist scriptures, he accepts the existence of multiple realms, including those of celestial beings (devas). Nonetheless, these devas are not a Supreme Creator who rules over the universe but rather sentient beings residing in higher realms than humans, still subject to the cycle of birth and death.
The purpose of the teachings: Ending suffering
One of the core teachings of Buddhism is the Four Noble Truths and the Noble Eightfold Path, which lead to enlightenment. The Buddha emphasized that human suffering (dukkha) arises from ignorance and attachment. His teachings revolve around how to bring suffering to an end and attain Nirvana.
When questioned about cosmological issues or the nature of the world, the Buddha often responded that being overly concerned with such matters does not directly help one in the path to liberation. From the Buddhist perspective, claiming or denying the existence of a Creator God is not central to spiritual practice. Instead, Buddhism focuses on eliminating suffering by training the mind and transforming how we perceive reality.
Buddhism’s perspective on “divine beings” and prayer
Although Buddhism does not recognize a single supreme God, in Mahāyāna or Vajrayāna traditions, there are various rituals and forms of chanting that revere Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, or celestial beings. However, these rituals are not performed with the belief that there is an omnipotent God who grants favors or delivers judgment; rather, they serve to cultivate wholesome affinities, direct one’s mind toward goodness, and awaken innate compassion and wisdom.
Acts such as prostrations, sutra recitation, chanting the Buddha’s name, or offering incense are regarded as skillful means to remind practitioners of their own potential for goodness and to help them develop mindfulness and moral conduct. There is no doctrinal insistence that “you must believe in an omnipotent God in order to be saved.” On the contrary, Buddhism emphasizes self-effort, supported by the guidance of spiritual friends and the monastic community (Saṅgha).
The “secret” of four verses in the Dīrgha Āgama
While the Buddha neither affirmed nor denied the existence of God, there is said to be a hidden secret in four verses recorded in Dīrgha Āgama I, which read:
“天上天下 唯我獨尊…”
These four verses have often been referenced as “secret words” laden with multiple layers of meaning. We invite you to explore the explanation of these four verses in order to understand who the Buddha truly is and to find out whether he believed in God or not.
👉 Buddhism contains many knots, with numerous mysteries yet to be fully unraveled. I highly recommend reading the book The Buddha Teaches Once More, compiled by author Minh Nguyet. This book is a treasure trove of wisdom for humanity, guiding practitioners on the path to enlightenment.
Conclusion
The question “Does Buddha believe in God?” partially reflects a perspective common in theistic traditions. In actuality, Buddhism is often considered nontheistic, because the Buddha neither completely confirmed nor categorically denied the existence of a Creator God. Rather than proving or disproving a Supreme Creator, he emphasized the importance of self-inquiry and practice to uproot suffering and break free from the cycle of rebirth.
- The ultimate goal of Buddhism is liberation, attained through the Four Noble Truths and the Noble Eightfold Path.
- Faith in, or the denial of, a divine being is not the decisive factor for enlightenment in Buddhism.
- The Buddha taught that true happiness arises from wisdom and compassion, developed through mindfulness and concentration practices.
Thus, referring to Buddhism as “atheistic” or “nontheistic” can both be seen as partly accurate, but more importantly, one should realize that the essence of the Buddha’s teachings focuses on self-realization and the transformation of suffering, rather than placing central importance on a divine being who judges, rewards, or punishes.
Deciphering the four verses in the Dīrgha Āgama, “天上天下 唯我獨尊…”, may shed further light on “who the Buddha truly is” and thereby provide additional insight into whether he believed in a Supreme God. Yet overall, the question of God is not at the heart of Buddhism’s path. The Buddha’s teachings consistently emphasize turning inward to transform the mind, thereby achieving genuine peace and freedom.
