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20110622

Buddhas are Not Gods



In the Buddhist sutras are often mention gods (devas) visiting the Buddha or vice versa.

Yet these gods are caught in samsara just like humans.

Nor are the devas omniscient or omnipotent. Indeed, the devas are imperfect beings.

For they are mortal, and do not create or shape the world.

Devas are not incarnations of the pantheistic One.

Thus they are unlike God above, beyond and outside of everything that followers of the Abrahamic religions worship.

For the devas are capable of learning and self-improvement.

Regarding bodhisattvas, yidams and Buddhas, they are not devas.

Bodhisattvas are destined to be reborn as Buddhas; and yidams, manifestations of enlightened mind with which the meditator intends to unite within context of the rituals of a particular Buddhist path (Vajrayana).

Since the ideal conditions for attaining supreme enlightenment do not exist in the deva-worlds, Nirmanakaya Buddhas do not physically incarnate in the deva-worlds.

Though Sambhokaya Buddhas may have the form of high-ranking devas, they do not exist in the universe as the devas do.

Finally, Dharmakaya Buddhas exist beyond all worlds and limitations.

Thus, Buddhas are not deities.


Reference:
Deva: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deva_(Buddhism)

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