BUDDHISM AND THE GOD - IDEA
by
Ven. Nyanaponika Thera
Elsewhere
in this issue, we carry a special tribute to Ven. Nyanaponika Thera who passed
away recently. Not only in his memory, but as a clear illustration of his remarkable
talent in analysing and explaining difficult Buddhist concepts with lucidity and
clarity, we reprint below extracts from one of his essays.
Quite contradictory
views have been expressed in Western literature on the attitude of Buddhism toward
the concept of God and gods. From a study of the discourses of the Buddha preserved
in the Pali Canon, it will be seen that the idea of a personal deity, a creator
god conceived to be eternal and omnipotent, is incompatible with the Buddha's
teachings.
Object of faith
As an attempt at explaining the universe,
its origin, and man's situation in his world, the God-idea was found entirely
unconvincing by the Buddhist thinkers of old. Through the centuries, Buddhist
philosophers have formulated detailed arguments refuting the doctrine of a creator
god. It should be of interest to compare these with the ways in which Western
philosophers have refuted the theological proofs of the existence of God.
But
for an earnest believer, the God-idea is more than a mere device for explaining
external facts like the origin of the world. For him it is an object of faith
that can bestow a strong feeling of certainty, not only as to God's existence
'somewhere out there', but as to God's consoling presence and closeness to himself.
This feeling of certainty requires close scrutiny. Such scrutiny will reveal that
in most cases the God-idea is only the devotee's projection of his ideal - generally
a noble one - and of his fervent wish and deeply felt need to believe. These projections
are largely conditioned by external influences, such as childhood impressions,
education, tradition and social environment. Charged with a strong emotional emphasis,
brought to life by man's powerful capacity for image-formation, visualization
and the creation of myth, they then come to be identified with the images and
concepts of whatever religion the devotee follows. In the case of many of the
most sincere believers, a searching analysis would show that their 'God-experience'
has no more specific content than this.
Buddhism and atheism
Buddhism
has sometimes been called an atheistic teaching, either in an approving sense
by freethinkers and rationalists, or in a derogatory sense by people of theistic
persuasion. Only in one way can Buddhism be described as atheistic, namely in
so for as it denies the existence of an eternal, omnipotent God or godhead who
is the creator and ordainer of the world.
Those who use the word 'atheism'
often associate it with a materialistic doctrine that knows nothing higher than
this world of the senses and the slight happiness it can bestow. Buddhism is nothing
of that sort. In this respect it agrees with the teachings of other religions,
that true lasting happiness cannot be found in this world; nor, the Buddha adds,
can it be found on any higher plane of existence, conceived as a heavenly or divine
world, since all planes of existence are impermanent and thus incapable of giving
lasting bliss. The spiritual values advocated by Buddhism are directed, not towards
a new life in some higher world, but towards a state utterly transcending the
world, namely, Nibbana. In making this statement, however, we must point out that
Buddhist spiritual values do not draw an absolute separation between the beyond
and the here and now. They have firm roots in the world itself for they aim at
the highest realization in this present existence. Along with such spiritual aspirations,
Buddhism encourages earnest endeavour to make this world a better place to live
in.
God-idea breaking down rapidly
Buddhism is not an enemy of religion
as atheism is believed to be. Buddhism, indeed, is the enemy of none. A Buddhist
will recognize and appreciate whatever ethical, spiritual and cultural values
have been created by God-belief in its long and chequered history. We cannot,
however, close our eyes to the fact that the God-concept has served too often
as a cloak for man's will to power, and the reckless and cruel use of that power,
thus adding considerably to the ample measure of misery in this world supposed
to be an all-loving God's creation. For centuries free though, free research and
the expression of dissident views were obstructed and stifled in the name of service
to God. And alas, these and other negative consequences are not yet entirely things
of the past.
The word 'atheism' also carries the innuendo of an attitude countenancing
moral laxity, or a belief that man-made ethics, having no divine sanction, rest
on shaky foundations. For Buddhism, however, the basic moral law is inherent in
life itself. It is a special case of the law of cause and effect, needing neither
a divine law-giver nor depending upon the fluctuating human conceptions of socially
conditioned minor moralities and conventions. For an increasing section of humanity,
the belief in God is breaking down rapidly.
Other worlds, other beings
Buddhism does not deny that there are in the universe planes of existence
and levels of consciousness which in some ways may be superior to our terrestrial
world and to average human consciousness. To deny this would indeed be provincial
in this age of space travel. Bertrand Russell rightly says: 'It is improbable
that the universe contains nothing better than ourselves.'
Yet, according
to Buddhist teachings, such higher planes of existence, like our familiar world,
are subject to the law of impermanency and change. The inhabitants of such worlds
may well be, in different degrees, more powerful than human beings, happier and
longer-lived. Further, it need not be denied that such worlds and such beings
may have their lord and ruler. In all probability they do. But like any human
ruler, a divine ruler too might be inclined to misjudge his own status and power,
until a greater one comes along and points out to him his error, as our texts
report of the Buddha.