Is Buddhism Atheistic?

佛教与无神论

Atheism is associated with a materialistic doctrine that knows nothing higher than this world.

无神论与唯物论的思维方式一致，他们的知识并没有超越这世间的知识。

The Buddha has condemned godlessness by which He meant the denial of worship and renunciation, the denial of moral and social obligations, and the denial of a religious life. He recognized most emphatically the existence of moral and spiritual values. He acclaimed the supremacy of the moral law. Only in one sense can Buddhism be described as atheistic, namely, in so far as it denies the existence of an eternal omnipotent God or God-head who is the creator and ordainer of the world. The word 'atheism', however, frequently carries a number of disparaging overtones or implications which are in no way applicable to the Buddha's Teaching. Those who use the word 'atheism', often associate it with a materialistic doctrine that knows nothing higher than this world of the senses and the slight happiness it can bestow. Buddhism advocate nothing of that sort.

There is no justification for branding Buddhists, as atheists, nihilists, pagans, heathens or communists just because they do not believe in a Creator God. The Buddhist concept of God is different from that of other religions. Differences in belief do not justify name-calling and slanderous words.

佛陀反对无神论，因为无神论者否定了礼敬圣贤、否定了出家，否定了道德与社会义务，也否定了宗教生活。佛陀特别强调道德和精神价值的存在，佛陀推崇道德的超越性。如果说佛陀也是一位无神论者，这仅仅是针对佛陀否认有一位全能的造物者──神的存在。但是，这种「无神论」经常带着讥讽和毁谤的含义，事实，这绝对不是佛陀的教义。一般人把无神论和唯物主义拧在一起，唯物论者主张，没有什么能超越对这世间的知识，他们所追求的只是眼前的少许成就。佛教并不支持这种短视的做法。

我们不能因为佛陀不相信这世间有一位全能的造物者──「神」，就把佛陀当作是无神论者、唯物主义者，佛教对「神」的观念，不同于其它宗教。其它宗教不能因为信仰不同而使用不合理的辱骂或中伤的字眼。

Buddhism agrees with other religions that true and lasting happiness cannot be found in this material world. The Buddha adds that true and lasting happiness cannot be found on the higher or supramundane plane of existence to which the name of heavenly or divine world is given. While the spiritual values advocated by Buddhism are orientated to a state transcending the world with the attainment of Nibbana, they do not make a separation between the 'beyond' and the 'here and now'. They have firm roots in the world itself, for they aim at the highest realization in this present existence.

佛教同意其它宗教所说的真实性和永久性的幸福，无法在这物质性的世间里找到。佛陀也认为，真实性和永久性的幸福，无法在较高或较低的生界(天堂或地狱)里找到。佛陀所提倡的精神价值，是超越世间的境界(涅槃)，这是不分来世、此时或此地的。涅槃扎根于这世间，是追求人世间最高成就的境界。

一切行无常

一切受是苦

一切法无我

若以慧观照

得厌离于苦

此乃清静道

《法句经》V.277,278,279