Are Buddhists really atheists?

Atheists in the West claim that Buddhists are atheists, so they (the atheists in the West) feel better that they are not the only atheists in the world.

My purpose is to ask Buddhists whether they really deny that God exists.

From my part, I know from my reason and intelligence that God exists.

So, paging Buddhists, please come over and let us discuss whether you Buddhists really deny God exists.

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yrger · 80-89, M

@SW-User

So, you don't know what is a religion and what is a philosophy, wherefore you don't know what is Buddhism to you.

And I was hoping to learn from you, in re how to enhance my life with Buddhism.

Anyway, tell me what Buddhistic acts or routines do you perform in your everyday life, aside from reading and thinking and thinking and thinking in re Buddhism?

TelegramSam · 70-79New
@yrger Sorry mate, I will not be dictated to by you. You wish me to categorise according to your own understanding and western conditioning. You can call it what you like, your privilege.

And please, I am not a "fan". The last thing "Buddhism" is is a soccer team.

SW-User

@yrger Hello again, no, I have been unclear. I do know the difference but I am simply saying that the Buddhadharma does not fall into either of the two categories.

And as I implied previously, I do not divide my life into categories either - spiritual, secular, "buddhist" acts, other acts. I do meditate but this is for me purely therapeutic. In the Pure Land way that I loosely follow, the dojo (training ground) is life itself, and any act designed to "gain" enlightenment is seen as self-power (Japanese jiriki) and is seen as unbeneficial. The way is more one of thankfullness for all that has been given.

In fact, giving a bit of background - as you seem interested - the Pure Land way is very much related to the interplay of self-power/jiriki and Other Power (Japanese Tariki)

As the Pure Land myokonin (loosely = saint) Saichi has said:-

O Saichi! Will you tell us of Other Power?
Yes, but there is neither self-power nor Other Power.
What is, is the Graceful Acceptance only.

Which really brings me back to my "erudite" ramblings in my very first response to you. Where is the dividing line between theism and non-theism? The Dharma has a very non-dual background.

Anyway, it's time for bed. It has been a long day.

All the best.