Nontheism and Buddhism
Although Buddhism has a vast number of scriptures and practices, the fundamental core of Buddhism, the
Four Noble Truths and the
Noble Eightfold Path, are distinguished in the world of religion for not having any mention of any god(s) or any notion of worship of any deity. They are purely ethical and meditative guidelines based on the truths of psychological suffering due to
impermanence.
Since the time of the
Buddha, the refutation of the existence of a creator has been seen as a key point in distinguishing Buddhist from non-Buddhist views.
[7]
The Buddha said that gods (
Pali:
devas) exist, though he portrayed them as mortal and, in some cases, deluded. He did not center his teaching around these gods, but instead around the explanation of
dukkha (suffering, imperfection) and attaining freedom from it[
citation needed].
Although the Buddha did affirm a positive belief in the existence of gods, he stated that they are not to be worshiped and are themselves in the cycle of
samsara[
citation needed].
The question of a Creator God, however, was answered by Buddha in the
Brahmajala Sutta[
citation needed]. The Buddha denounced the view of a Creator and sees that such notions are related to the false view of eternity, and like the 61 other views, this belief causes suffering when one is attached to it and relates to these views with desire, hatred and delusion. At the end of the Sutta the Buddha says he knows these 62 views and he also knows the truth that surpasses them.