Welcome to DU!
The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards.
Join the community:
Create a free account
Support DU (and get rid of ads!):
Become a Star Member
Latest Breaking News
General Discussion
The DU Lounge
All Forums
Issue Forums
Culture Forums
Alliance Forums
Region Forums
Support Forums
Help & Search
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?
InfoView thread info, including edit history
TrashPut this thread in your Trash Can (My DU » Trash Can)
BookmarkAdd this thread to your Bookmarks (My DU » Bookmarks)
58 replies, 17433 views
ShareGet links to this post and/or share on social media
AlertAlert this post for a rule violation
PowersThere are no powers you can use on this post
EditCannot edit other people's posts
ReplyReply to this post
EditCannot edit other people's posts
Rec (2)
ReplyReply to this post
58 replies
= new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight:
NoneDon't highlight anything
5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
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
The barrister Christmas Humphries started The Buddhist Society in England in the 1920s.
byeya
Aug 2012
#6
#rug I'm not Buddhist but I don't see how reincarnation can be reconciled with atheism.
iamnotyou
Aug 2012
#11
Neither karma nor rebirth are necessary. You ask what if there is no rebirth?
white_wolf
Aug 2012
#14
Here is the link to the Sutta I mentioned where Buddha addresses the issue of death after Nirvana.
white_wolf
Aug 2012
#18
So what you're saying I think, is that while Buddhism is probably atheistic...
GliderGuider
Aug 2012
#34
Reincarnation does not require gods, so atheism and reincarnation can be compatible.
ZombieHorde
Aug 2012
#37
In my experience, Buddhism is not compatible with an omnipotent being who is except from the laws
byeya
Aug 2012
#30
Red Pine's translation of the Heart Sutra declares all characteristics as empty.
white_wolf
Sep 2012
#51
I think so. I really like Buddhism, but since I do not believe in any of the supernatural aspects
ZombieHorde
Aug 2012
#38
I know you were just being silly, but I love to argue, and I took the opportunity to do so.
ZombieHorde
Aug 2012
#42
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