Buddhism

[starcraftwinner357]

Salaam,
I haven't visited in some time and I'm sorry to say that I havent prayed in days, but to my point can you practice the belief system of Buddhism and not violate any Islamic rules.

If so, please answer idk if Buddhism is just the purity of the mind and soul or that and the worship of Gautama.

I've been checking nothing like that yet.

A-salaamu-alaikum brothers and sisters.

[Abu Abdallah]

Assalamu 'Alaykum,

Many Muslims believe that Buddha (as) was a prophet (nabi) and also a messenger (rasul) of Allah, possibly Dhu'l-Kifl in Quran. His message was one of Compassion (Rahman), sympathy for all creatures, and enlightenment/knowledge of the Void, the Transcendent. Ultimately, Buddhism teaches deliverance of the ego and passions, a concept that is common in all authentic religions.

He didn't use words like "god" because he was challenging aspects of Hinduism which saw a multiplicity of gods. So in a sense, he restored the awareness of One Transcendent Reality, without images, gods, etc.

I don't think he is worshipped, and I think there is value in his teachings, like those of Jesus (as), even if there are some practices Muslims stay away from in some streams of Buddhism and Christianity. His images are more like sacred art, and not idols to be worshipped.

There is a lot of wisdom in the books of Thich Nhat Hahn, a Zen Buddhist anti-war teacher from Vietnam, and of course others like the Dalai Lama.

In general though, the Islamic prayers and pillars are the best place to start. It is good to learn about other religions, and to stick with one of them. If you are Muslim then you can learn about Buddhism while practicing the Islamic rites.

wa salam,
Abu Abdallah

[Umar]

I live with a cousin of mine who is a buddhist. We often speak about religion and we get along very well. I respect his religion and his views and he respects mine. As far as Buddhism is concerned, I think it has some good values and teachings but they reject God, wich makes it unappealingly incomplete.

[Omar HH]

It is impossible that Buddha was a Nabi.

The reason for this is all Prophets after the exodus of Musa (`Alayhis Salam) until Sayyidina Jesus (`Alayhis Salam) were from Bani Israil.

Some Muslims say that it is possible Buddha was a wise man who taught monotheism. Obviously current Buddhism (in many of it's strands at least - saying there is no God, or it doesn't matter, or that Buddha is God - ASTAGHFIRALLAH) are corrupted and perverted versions of the original teachings.

:jazak:

[Omar HH]

You can practice cleansing your heart and purifying it (just like a Buddhist does) in Islam. Actually Islam promotes this - it's called Sufism. In Sufism you will find the struggle against the carnal appetites and purification of the soul even more than in Buddhism in my opinion.

:jazak:

[Umar]

Some Muslims say that it is possible Buddha was a wise man who taught monotheism. Obviously current Buddhism (in many of it's strands at least - saying there is no God, or it doesn't matter, or that Buddha is God - ASTAGHFIRALLAH) are corrupted and perverted versions of the original teachings

I don't know what the original teachings of Buddha were and if they were corrupted or not. I know that buddhists are atheists and explain the mystery of life through the karmas and the rebirths. Some even worship Buddha as a god and have all those statues of him to adore (reminescence of Hinduism? :rolleyes: ). It all seems quite idolatrous to me. They also hold that the Universe has always existed and always will which I find rather unreasonable.

But, aside from that, it's got some fine teachings and good human values. I agree with you brother, when you say that Buddha wasn't a nabi (prophet). His teachings aren't about God but more about reaching new levels of awareness through meditation.
For him to be a nabi, he should have spread the word of God and his sunna. For we shall find no difference in the sunna of God, as He stated in the Qur'an. And Buddha didn't spread it.

[Omar HH]

The teachings of the Buddha are about eliminating of desire, and attachment, etc. Just like Sufism, except the Buddhist teachings do not include Allah which is why a Buddhist cannot attain fana in Allah's attributes or any type of Ma`arifah what so ever.

Buddhists can actually - through their purification techniques - *emulate* some types of states of the mind etc. but there is really nothing there if there is no Allah in the picture.

:jazak:

[Umar]

Buddhists can actually - through their purification techniques - *emulate* some types of states of the mind etc. but there is really nothing there if there is no Allah in the picture.

Naturally. May He guide us to the straight path.

[Kareem]

Salaam,
I haven't visited in some time and I'm sorry to say that I havent prayed in days, but to my point can you practice the belief system of Buddhism and not violate any Islamic rules.

If so, please answer idk if Buddhism is just the purity of the mind and soul or that and the worship of Gautama.

I've been checking nothing like that yet.

A-salaamu-alaikum brothers and sisters.
salaams, i may be misunderstanding your question but if you are asking if one can worship this 'Gautama.' the answer is no, anyone who worships anthing or anyone besies Allah is an idolater and no longer a muslim. this is the worst sin there is and will not be forgiven if one dies upon this sin

may Allah make you and me steadfast on the deen, work on your prayers brother, its the most important duty of mankind. everything else is secondary to it.

[Nostradamus]

Salaam,
I haven't visited in some time and I'm sorry to say that I havent prayed in days, but to my point can you practice the belief system of Buddhism and not violate any Islamic rules.

If so, please answer idk if Buddhism is just the purity of the mind and soul or that and the worship of Gautama.

I've been checking nothing like that yet.

A-salaamu-alaikum brothers and sisters.


I'm not an extremist Muslim scholar or anything, I'm probably in the same boat as you, but 'Buddhism'? there is noting logical to the teaching of Buddhism, it has no answers. Its pointless rituals and pointless meditation. Its a draw back to intellectual progression. Its system is based on mythology it has not practicality or explanations.

My brain will not allow me to open-up to Buddhism, no matter how much a Buddhist would tell me you must believe I cannot simply just belief my brain will not allow it I have to analyze it from a logical prospective. Pointless philosophy is a waste of time.