Is Buddhism Atheistic

　　佛教與無神論

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

　　無神論與唯物論的思維方式一致，他們的知識並沒有超越這世間的知識。

　　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.

　　佛陀反對無神論，因爲無神論者否定了禮敬聖賢、否定了出家，否定了道德與社會義務，也否定了宗教生活。佛陀特別強調道德和精神價值的存在，佛陀推崇道德的超越性。如果說佛陀也是一位無神論者，這僅僅是針對佛陀否認有一位全能的造物者──神的存在。但是，這種「無神論」經常帶著譏諷和毀謗的含義，事實，這絕對不是佛陀的教義。一般人把無神論和唯物主義擰在一起，唯物論者主張，沒有什麼能超越對這世間的知識，他們所追求的只是眼前的少許成就。佛教並不支持這種短視的做法。

　　我們不能因爲佛陀不相信這世間有一位全能的造物者──「神」，就把佛陀當作是無神論者、唯物主義者，佛教對「神」的觀念，不同于其它宗教。其它宗教不能因爲信仰不同而使用不合理的辱罵或中傷的字眼。

　　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 pine 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說的真實性和永久性的幸福，無法在這物質性的世間裏找到。佛陀也認爲，真實性和永久性的幸福，無法在較高或較低的生界(天堂或地獄)裏找到。佛陀所提倡的精神價值，是超越世間的境界(涅槃)，這是不分來世、此時或此地的。涅槃紮根于這世間，是追求人世間最高成就的境界。

　　一切行無常

　　一切受是苦

　　一切法無我

　　若以慧觀照

　　得厭離于苦

　　此乃清靜道

　　《法句經》V.277,278,279