Buddhism does not require belief in a creator God or deities. The concept of God or gods is not central to Buddhist teachings and is not necessary for attaining enlightenment.
Buddhism is a non-theistic tradition that focuses on the individual’s spiritual journey and the attainment of enlightenment through the cultivation of wisdom and compassion. It does not rely on faith in a higher power but rather on personal effort, understanding and realization.
Some forms of Buddhism, such as Mahayana Buddhism, incorporate the worship of bodhisattvas, which are enlightened beings who have postponed their own nirvana in order to help others achieve enlightenment. However, these bodhisattvas are not considered gods in the traditional sense and are not worshiped as creators of the universe.
Buddhism also recognizes the existence of other realms, such as heaven and hell, but these are not seen as eternal and are not governed by a creator god. Instead, they are seen as temporary states that are determined by one’s actions in this life.
It’s worth noting that even though Buddhism does not require belief in God, some people who consider themselves Buddhists may also believe in a god or gods, and that’s ok as long as it does not contradict the core teachings of Buddhism.
