Before I start this article, this is not referring to any theism nor monotheism. It’s only about the 330 million gods and Brahmas that is mentioned and related to pure Buddhist contexts. Therefore, it’s not any sort of insulting but a mere explanation.
Before I get to my point directly, I would like to clarify about a few misconceptions in the modern society. Buddhism is not a religion! This one of the most widely misinterpreted theories among the modern society. It is merely a set 84,000 scientific theories that were founded by Siddhartha Gautama, who had a developed his mind to a level where others have never reached.
Before I get to my point directly, I would like to clarify about a few misconceptions in the modern society. Buddhism is not a religion! This one of the most widely misinterpreted theories among the modern society. It is merely a set 84,000 scientific theories that were founded by Siddhartha Gautama, who had a developed his mind to a level where others have never reached.
When it comes to the topic of deities in Buddhism, Siddhartha Gautama rejected the theory of monotheism. Although there is no belief of an omniscient deity (Almighty Deva), the theory of polytheism applies due to the fact that gods exist, but in a different manner. According to the Triptaka, 3 types of worlds exists.
1. Realm of Desires. (6 Heavens, Earth/Human World and 4 Misery Realms)
2. Realm of Form(16 Realms)
3. Realm of Formlessness (4 Realms)
These are the worlds that exists in this very universe.
Now, why did I say that gods are aliens? Let’s recap the term “Aliens”. The word aliens means “Species not from this world or Earth.” So, are they in our world? It’s up to you to decide it.
Another common misinterpretation is that, most of us tend to think that gods have a higher state of mind than us, humans. Humans, by birth, inherits a powerful mind. But it is the way we use it that defines our power. However, comparatively, our minds can be pushed way beyond infinity unlike gods. They cannot push that far. Before I get to this clarification, I would like to give a brief intro about the realms I mentioned above for a better comprehension.
1. Realm of Desires. (6 Heavens, Earth/Human World and 4 Misery Realms)
2. Realm of Form(16 Realms)
3. Realm of Formlessness (4 Realms)
These are the worlds that exists in this very universe.
Now, why did I say that gods are aliens? Let’s recap the term “Aliens”. The word aliens means “Species not from this world or Earth.” So, are they in our world? It’s up to you to decide it.
Another common misinterpretation is that, most of us tend to think that gods have a higher state of mind than us, humans. Humans, by birth, inherits a powerful mind. But it is the way we use it that defines our power. However, comparatively, our minds can be pushed way beyond infinity unlike gods. They cannot push that far. Before I get to this clarification, I would like to give a brief intro about the realms I mentioned above for a better comprehension.
1. 6 Heavens-
The typical Gods that is commonly known in the society. These gods have the same types of desires as humans have. Such as Lust, Wrath and etc. But unlike humans, they are born with enhanced physical abilities and powers. However, they don’t have the capability of doing merits and being an Awakened One (Buddha). They are also known as Devas.
2. 4 Misery realms –
In brief they are the Animal world, Demon world, Preta World (ghosts and other super naturals) and the typical Hell.
3. 16 Form Realms –
Not much popular among the social norm but they have a higher mind state by birth. They have less desires compared to the desire realms. The species that lives in these realms are called Brahmas.
4. 4 Formlessness Realms-
These Brahmas have less desires relative to Form Realm Brahmas. They don’t have any sort of physical appearance. Hence, there are no sexism and gender separation. Everyone is equal.
The typical Gods that is commonly known in the society. These gods have the same types of desires as humans have. Such as Lust, Wrath and etc. But unlike humans, they are born with enhanced physical abilities and powers. However, they don’t have the capability of doing merits and being an Awakened One (Buddha). They are also known as Devas.
2. 4 Misery realms –
In brief they are the Animal world, Demon world, Preta World (ghosts and other super naturals) and the typical Hell.
3. 16 Form Realms –
Not much popular among the social norm but they have a higher mind state by birth. They have less desires compared to the desire realms. The species that lives in these realms are called Brahmas.
4. 4 Formlessness Realms-
These Brahmas have less desires relative to Form Realm Brahmas. They don’t have any sort of physical appearance. Hence, there are no sexism and gender separation. Everyone is equal.
I guess you have got a small idea about these realms. Now, coming back to our topic, the gods of the desire realm, they pretty much cannot live without the humans help. Otherwise, they’d lose their luxurious lives and powers. Why did I say that? Let’s get to the bottom of it.
Humans are the only species who are capable of choosing actions and shaping their lives according to it. The other species of other realms represents the consequences of these actions of humans. The birth of Realms of Misery are consequences of engaging in sins and the Realms of Desires (Heavens) are vice versa. Therefore merits. The rest of realms of Form and Formlessness are another topic for another day.
The gods of heavens can only retain there until their merits expires. In order to gain more merits they focus their vision to earth. Why? Only humans have the capability of transferring merits for an individual to another. They can transfer it among any realm across the infinite universe. Surprised? Here’s another fact. Only a human can become the Awakened One (Buddha), the person who gains universal knowledge. The power of the human mind is no second to the power of the Universe.
Humans are the only species who are capable of choosing actions and shaping their lives according to it. The other species of other realms represents the consequences of these actions of humans. The birth of Realms of Misery are consequences of engaging in sins and the Realms of Desires (Heavens) are vice versa. Therefore merits. The rest of realms of Form and Formlessness are another topic for another day.
The gods of heavens can only retain there until their merits expires. In order to gain more merits they focus their vision to earth. Why? Only humans have the capability of transferring merits for an individual to another. They can transfer it among any realm across the infinite universe. Surprised? Here’s another fact. Only a human can become the Awakened One (Buddha), the person who gains universal knowledge. The power of the human mind is no second to the power of the Universe.
Cause of these reasons, the gods tend to collect merits from humans who offers and in return they protect them. Hence it’s a very fair negotiation. The other misinterpretation in our society is the god worshiping in Buddhism. There’s nothing like that. I REPEAT. There’s nothing like that. Buddha solely rejected this method because it pushes you back from attaining enlightenment. Because some tend to think that the gods can help us achieve nirvana. WRONG! Only you yourself can do it. Not others.
What we should really do is to offer our merits to them and get the protection they are willing to offer. But since they have physically enhanced abilities than us, of course they can offer us special opportunities or special help. But that doesn’t mean that we should be dependent on them. Because eventually, we are one step further of reaching being awakened due to the fact that we are have a higher state of mind. And Yes! Offering merits will multiply (not add) your amount of merits.
For an example, when you try to light thousand oil lamps with just one oil lamp, the wick of it touches the oil surfaces of other wicks in its respective oil lamps and gets soaked more on oil and at the end, the oil lamps light brightens up make it prominent among others. It’s the same thing when offering merits.(Think what will happen when you offer it among 330 million gods).
What we should really do is to offer our merits to them and get the protection they are willing to offer. But since they have physically enhanced abilities than us, of course they can offer us special opportunities or special help. But that doesn’t mean that we should be dependent on them. Because eventually, we are one step further of reaching being awakened due to the fact that we are have a higher state of mind. And Yes! Offering merits will multiply (not add) your amount of merits.
For an example, when you try to light thousand oil lamps with just one oil lamp, the wick of it touches the oil surfaces of other wicks in its respective oil lamps and gets soaked more on oil and at the end, the oil lamps light brightens up make it prominent among others. It’s the same thing when offering merits.(Think what will happen when you offer it among 330 million gods).
Just because I cited that gods are a form of aliens doesn’t mean that I’m insulting nor letting everyone’s hopes down. This is just to educate you about the true fact about gods and to re-correct the common misinterpretations. As humans we have the ability to do what’s right and prevent from doing wrongs. We have that ability. Other worlds are just a reflection of what we do here. Worshiping gods should be a reflection of what you do in life and offer them merits so they will be satisfied. And in return they will surely provide us the protection that is needed since they are bound strongly to nature’s virtues.
Hence, worshiping should be defined this way so that people can get rid of these nesciences' and act wisely. Worshiping is merely an act of respecting each other bonding strongly with them. Nothing else.
But remember! Never ever insult any individual who believes in gods and other religions. Or else you will be strongly insulting the words of Siddhartha Gautama Buddha who advised us to live in harmony among each other. You should re-correct yourself other than re-correcting others.
Peace!
Hence, worshiping should be defined this way so that people can get rid of these nesciences' and act wisely. Worshiping is merely an act of respecting each other bonding strongly with them. Nothing else.
But remember! Never ever insult any individual who believes in gods and other religions. Or else you will be strongly insulting the words of Siddhartha Gautama Buddha who advised us to live in harmony among each other. You should re-correct yourself other than re-correcting others.
Peace!
Written by- Akila Randil Hettiarachchi
Sources
Baaren, T. P. v., 2013. Monotheism. [Online]
Available at: http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/390101/monotheism
[Accessed 9 December 2014].
Mahathera, V. S., n.d. The Thirty-one Planes of Existence. [Online]
Available at: http://www.buddhanet.net/pdf_file/allexistence.pdf
[Accessed 9 December 2014].
Smart, N., 2013. Polytheism. [Online]
Available at: http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/469156/polytheism
[Accessed 9 December 2014].
Available at: http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/390101/monotheism
[Accessed 9 December 2014].
Mahathera, V. S., n.d. The Thirty-one Planes of Existence. [Online]
Available at: http://www.buddhanet.net/pdf_file/allexistence.pdf
[Accessed 9 December 2014].
Smart, N., 2013. Polytheism. [Online]
Available at: http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/469156/polytheism
[Accessed 9 December 2014].