Buddhism

truebrit71

(20,805 posts) Mon Aug 13, 2012, 11:51 AM Aug 2012

Is atheism compatible with Buddhism? [View all]

Last edited Mon Aug 13, 2012, 01:58 PM - Edit history (1)

Because it doesn't worship an imaginary being, but rather the teachings of a person, or are they mutually exclusive?

I am a person that has recently finalized the journey to atheism (damn that whole "logic" thing), but I have always been curious about Buddhism from the personal enlightenment point of view. I like the idea of being self-aware, and seeing things 'even-bigger-picture', and wondered if that means I'm not actually not an atheist at all but simply ex-xtian/Buddha-curious..

Thoughts?

On Edit: Any suggestions as to what books I should be looking at?

58 replies

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Is atheism compatible with Buddhism? [View all] truebrit71 Aug 2012 OP

Good question libodem Aug 2012 #1

Thought... sansatman Aug 2012 #2

Buddhism is something you do and not something you believe. The myriad of images, both wrathful byeya Aug 2012 #3

Reincarnation is very important in Mahayana Buddhism, and reincarnation requires faith. ZombieHorde Aug 2012 #36

totally is, if you're not traditional Ted Meissner Aug 2012 #4

Welcome to DU! ellisonz Aug 2012 #20

I'd suggest reading a bit of Tibetan history. Neoma Aug 2012 #5

The barrister Christmas Humphries started The Buddhist Society in England in the 1920s. byeya Aug 2012 #6

I'm not an expert but I like some of the "American Zen" practitioners CJCRANE Aug 2012 #7

I'm not Buddhist but I don't see how reincarnation can be reconciled with atheism. rug Aug 2012 #8

#rug I'm not Buddhist but I don't see how reincarnation can be reconciled with atheism. iamnotyou Aug 2012 #11

Then what would happen to the notion of Karma and Enlightenment? rug Aug 2012 #13

Neither karma nor rebirth are necessary. You ask what if there is no rebirth? white_wolf Aug 2012 #14

Then, what of Nirvana? rug Aug 2012 #15

Nirvana is attained in this life. white_wolf Aug 2012 #16

I never heard that. rug Aug 2012 #17

Here is the link to the Sutta I mentioned where Buddha addresses the issue of death after Nirvana. white_wolf Aug 2012 #18

Thanks. I'll read up on it. rug Aug 2012 #19

Welcome to DU! ellisonz Aug 2012 #22

iamnotyou Aug 2012 #12

I am a non practicing buddhist atheist Shankapotomus Aug 2012 #25

Is the rearrangement subject to karma? rug Aug 2012 #26

of course, being a totally natural process, Shankapotomus Aug 2012 #28

I think physics would govern that, not karma. rug Aug 2012 #29

So what you're saying I think, is that while Buddhism is probably atheistic... GliderGuider Aug 2012 #34

Not quite. rug Aug 2012 #35

Buddhist karma tama Sep 2012 #52

Only those beliefs and practices that you can verify YankeyMCC Sep 2012 #53

Reincarnation does not require gods, so atheism and reincarnation can be compatible. ZombieHorde Aug 2012 #37

I keep coming back to this one thing. rug Aug 2012 #43

I don't know. I consider reincarnation to be a supernatural concept, ZombieHorde Aug 2012 #44

You can see the energy radiated from the sun and stars, the very same nightscanner59 Aug 2012 #45

"This is very, very difficult to put into words," ZombieHorde Aug 2012 #46

My only honest answer to both questions is: I don't know. nightscanner59 Sep 2012 #47

self reply... train of "experience" best I can recall in a timeline nightscanner59 Sep 2012 #48

Here' the short, easy answer Shankapotomus Nov 2012 #54

I'm a practicing Zen student and remain atheist YankeyMCC Aug 2012 #9

yes. marasinghe Aug 2012 #10

Correct IMHO ellisonz Aug 2012 #21

Buddhism is compatible with atheism, Christianity, Hinduism, Taoism, etc. bananas Aug 2012 #23

Not really, no it isn't. white_wolf Aug 2012 #24

In my experience, Buddhism is not compatible with an omnipotent being who is except from the laws byeya Aug 2012 #30

Yes. Manifestor_of_Light Aug 2012 #27

"Don't make gods" - Zen Master Seung Sahn. Fozzledick Aug 2012 #31

Please read my post a few above. Don't try to explain it, just read. nightscanner59 Sep 2012 #49

Red Pine's translation of the Heart Sutra declares all characteristics as empty. white_wolf Sep 2012 #51

Read "Confessions of a Buddhist Atheist" by Stephen Bachelor. Odin2005 Aug 2012 #32

hmmmm libodem Aug 2012 #33

I think so. I really like Buddhism, but since I do not believe in any of the supernatural aspects ZombieHorde Aug 2012 #38

Oooo....Dogen would not like you calling it Philosophy ;) YankeyMCC Aug 2012 #39

Dogen could use my post as an opportunity to learn patience. ZombieHorde Aug 2012 #40

Just having a little fun YankeyMCC Aug 2012 #41

I know you were just being silly, but I love to argue, and I took the opportunity to do so. ZombieHorde Aug 2012 #42

Sometimes I'm afraid to shut off the computer and go to bed nightscanner59 Sep 2012 #50

I just wanted to come back and say a big thank you to all those that took the time to answer... truebrit71 Dec 2012 #55

Old Ch'an saying: When you get to the top of the mountain, keep climbing byeya Dec 2012 #56

There is no top! Odin2005 Dec 2012 #57

Buddhism is not Compatible with Atheism or any religion. rabid_byter Feb 2013 #58