What does the Devadaha Sutta teach about a creator God?

The Devadaha Sutta rejects the idea that pleasure and pain are caused by the act of a supreme creator. The Buddha pointed instead to actions and conditions.

How does the Buddha argue against a creator in the Devadaha Sutta?

The Buddha argued that if a creator caused suffering, those who suffer terribly must have been made by an evil creator. A good creator could not be the source of such pain.

Who were the Niganthas in the Devadaha Sutta?

The Niganthas were Jain ascetics who believed painful austerities could burn away past kamma. The Buddha questioned both their view and the idea of a creator god.

Why do some people describe Buddhism as non-theistic rather than atheistic?

Buddhism does not mainly argue against God but simply finds God unnecessary for the path. Buddhists accept gods called devas but deny a creator who controls the world.

Edexcel GCSE Religious Studies B 1RB0

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Buddhism: Philosophy of Religion

Buddhist teaching on the non-existence of a personal God

3 things to know
Paper 3

Overview

The Devadaha Sutta's case against a creator and the Niganthas, non-theistic rather than atheistic, what the Buddha told his followers to rely on, Pure Land devotion to Amitabha, and a Christian disagreement.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

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Key term

What do Buddhists mean by denying a personal God, and why is none needed?

Key term

What do Buddhists mean by denying a personal God?

Key term

Why did the Buddha teach that belief in God is not needed?

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

1
What do Buddhists mean by denying a personal God?
Model answer
Buddhists do not believe in a creator God who knows, loves and judges each person. The Buddha taught a path to freedom that depends on no such being.
2
Why did the Buddha teach that belief in God is not needed?
Model answer
The Buddha taught that suffering and its end depend on causes within the mind. A person can follow the path to nibbana without the help of a creator.
3
What does the Devadaha Sutta teach about a creator God?
Model answer
The Devadaha Sutta rejects the idea that pleasure and pain are caused by the act of a supreme creator. The Buddha pointed instead to actions and conditions.
4
How does the Buddha argue against a creator in the Devadaha Sutta?
Model answer
The Buddha argued that if a creator caused suffering, those who suffer terribly must have been made by an evil creator. A good creator could not be the source of such pain.
5
Who were the Niganthas in the Devadaha Sutta?
Model answer
The Niganthas were Jain ascetics who believed painful austerities could burn away past kamma. The Buddha questioned both their view and the idea of a creator god.
6
Why do some people describe Buddhism as non-theistic rather than atheistic?
Model answer
Buddhism does not mainly argue against God but simply finds God unnecessary for the path. Buddhists accept gods called devas but deny a creator who controls the world.

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