is buddhism a monotheistc or polytheistic religion?

The more I study Buddhism, the more I meditate, the more I practice, the more I begin to realize that labels are divisive -- it puts me "here" and you "there." Does it really matter how one categorizes one's belief: monotheistic, polytheistic, atheistic, non-theistic, pantheistic? Is Buddhism a philosophy? A religion? A belief system? I don't think any of this is what the Buddha taught since none of it is meaningful.

"When we latch onto an identity, it's easy to take offense. But we offend ourselves. We lock ourselves into a rigid way of thinking. It doesn't have to be this way. The fact is, I'm not anything in particular. Nor are you. Nor is anyone." (Steve Hagen, "Buddhism Plain and Simple")

We are all essentially one; there is no "you" or "me" since we are both simultaneously independent of and interdependent upon each other and other sentient beings. This is the essence of The Heart Sutra. This is why Karma, the Four Noble Truths, and the Eightfold Path are so important as a guide to living. This, I believe, is the Buddha's teaching.

May all be at peace.

John

Technically, Buddhism is an oddball in being an Atheistic "religion" haha. Buddhism isn't really a religion, if you consider what a religion is. It has some points, such as believing in an afterlife, and some followers do make it more of a "religion" by deifying certain figures, such as Buddha. However, Buddha isn't really a "god", but was an enlighten Prince who ascended, reached the highest levels of enlightenment, and who reincarnates on Earth to help others reach the same state. It is somewhat a philosophy, and somewhat just a lifestyle. For some it has become a 'religion', for others it is simply a spirituality, and yet for others a philosophy. It has many interpretations and you'll likely find many different answers from different sources. Good luck, and I hope this helps! ^_^

Although some practice buddhism like a religion, and some believe in an entity along with that practice, buddhism in itself is not classified as a religion, but more as a philosophy, A person can be monotheistic, polytheistic or atheistic and be buddhist.

Buddhism is atheist, and the idea of killing people for being a 'polytheist' or 'monotheist' is completely absurd to Buddhists, so when missionaries tell the glorious stories of killing the polytheists by command of the one-god, they see it as conflicting with the one purpose of Buddhism- recognising suffering and then overcoming suffering.

Buddhism does mention supernatural elements and has 6 realms for the afterlife- that makes it a religion. It's just that there's noone in the heavens who cares or directs what happens here on earth. Buddhists say everything happens and happened by natural causes. So Buddhism's more like deism or agnosticism... Buddhism doesn't say there is or isn't a god, though because there's no proof of or need for god, Buddhists don't believe it.

Translations for westerners are a problem, because words like 'religion', 'god' and 'devil' automatically conjure up middle-eastern notions of what these words are. Buddhism refers to the 'devil' (Mara) several times. However Mara isn't like 'satan', Mara is just an embodiment of all that is bad and isn't a personality or being at all- Mara doesn't exist.

It isn't monotheistic or polytheistic. It's a way of life, a philosophy. The goal is to reach Nirvana. You do this by following the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path.

Hope this helps!

Have a nice day!

lil_twin_of_cork

Buddhism grew out of a polythestic society, but views the gods and godesses in that pantheon as part of "Samsara." The realm of death and rebirth that is to be transcended, as opposed to "Nirvanna" - the goal of Buddhism.

These gods and goddesses are subject to the same ills as humans - old age, sickness, and death - though it happens to them on a larger scale. They sometimes show up in the texts, but they hold no place of reverence. They are more like characters in the story of Buddhism, much like the greek gods are characters in "The Illiad' or "The Oddyssey."

The interactions between Buddha and the gods often shows Buddha as being their teacher. He was often referred to as "teacher of gods and humans."

This is not to say that the Buddha was a god or "above" the gods. Simply that he had transcended that realm.

"When asked, 'Are you a deva[a god]?' you answer, 'No, brahman, I am not a deva.' When asked, 'Are you a gandhabba?' you answer, 'No, brahman, I am not a gandhabba.' When asked, 'Are you a yakkha?' you answer, 'No, brahman, I am not a yakkha.' When asked, 'Are you a human being?' you answer, 'No, brahman, I am not a human being.' Then what sort of being are you?"

"..Like a blue lotus, rising up,

unsmeared by water,

unsmeared am I by the world,

and so, brahman,

I am awake.""

There are numerous bodhisattvas in some Buddhist sects, the beliefs are of a supernatural nature and 'god' is seen as a non-personified force...only Zen is even remotely atheistic...this is a delusion of some westerners that Buddhism is atheistic...to millions of Asians it is a religion...

Well it depends on what school of budhism you talk about . I refer to it as a school as the gaining of knowledge and enlightenment is central to budhism therefore you could refer to most of budhism being a philosophy . The few exceptions to the rule are some sects / schools of chinese budhism which have Gods in there belief.

There are two main forms of Buddhism: Mahayana and Theravada.

Mahayana believes in a god and has some aspects of Hinduism influencing its theology. Theravada believes in no god but the self-salvation of the individual.

There are no gods in Buddhism. Its more of a philosophy on how to reach nirvana.