I don’t believe the Buddha was an atheist but I’m aware many Buddhists, particularly those from a Western background do. If Buddha was a theist why did He have so little to say about theism?
Buddhist Teachings emerged within Hinduism about 2 1/2 thousand years ago. The religions of the Indian subcontinent were not called Hinduism back then. Could it be that faiths on the Indian subcontinent were struggling to enable their followers to achieve enlightenment and had become overly concerned with obscure metaphysical discussions and concerns that had no practical benefit? Buddha instead taught the futility of such preoccupations and emphasised a path of practical living. The parable of the poisoned arrow depicts this well.
Parable of the Poisoned Arrow - Wikipedia
So on the matter of God or gods was Buddha undeclared?
The unanswered questions - Wikipedia
If not, what did He do or say that provided an answer to the existence or non-existence of God or gods?
I'm not a Buddhist but I have strong family connections with Buddhism. The question of Buddha and theism is an intriguing one. I'm interested to hear from Buddhists and non-Buddhists alike and have posted in the religious debates thread to enable open discussion. As I am a student in this area, I may or may not have much to say.
Buddhist Teachings emerged within Hinduism about 2 1/2 thousand years ago. The religions of the Indian subcontinent were not called Hinduism back then. Could it be that faiths on the Indian subcontinent were struggling to enable their followers to achieve enlightenment and had become overly concerned with obscure metaphysical discussions and concerns that had no practical benefit? Buddha instead taught the futility of such preoccupations and emphasised a path of practical living. The parable of the poisoned arrow depicts this well.
Parable of the Poisoned Arrow - Wikipedia
So on the matter of God or gods was Buddha undeclared?
The unanswered questions - Wikipedia
If not, what did He do or say that provided an answer to the existence or non-existence of God or gods?
I'm not a Buddhist but I have strong family connections with Buddhism. The question of Buddha and theism is an intriguing one. I'm interested to hear from Buddhists and non-Buddhists alike and have posted in the religious debates thread to enable open discussion. As I am a student in this area, I may or may not have much to say.