Buddha and non-theism

In times of extreme ideologies, doctrines and isms wreaking havoc across the world, the Buddha's non-doctrinal approach comes across as an ideal antidote. Buddha went beyond theism and atheism. He was referred to as Eesh-Parangmukh by Ashvaghosh of Saket in his epic poem 'Buddhacharita', composed in the early 2nd c. CE.

Buddha was against all beliefs and ideologies because all isms restrict humans. He knew very well that the debate pertaining to the existence or non-existence of a god was futile and eternally inconclusive because both theism and atheism stand on false and indefinite premises. God cannot be proven or disproven.

Humans have been wasting their time arguing about whether or not god exists. This hasn't made us wiser. Rather, this perennial debate has left us mired in inertia and inactivity. Buddha believed that even the Truth was subjective and all the so-called realities were relative. Things that cannot be proven or disproven must be left behind. Moreover, what does one get out of an otiose debate like god's existence or non-existence?


Pragmatism is central, crucial and integral to Buddha's philosophy. It doesn't dwell upon anything that's vague and amorphous. Any knowledge that has no practical value or application is insignificant. Buddha's emphasis was on self-enlightenment. A truly enlightened human is an evolved and emancipated individual. He doesn't care whether god exists.

So, the Buddha never wasted his time on unimportant speculations about god's perceived and putative presence and existence. We can learn from Buddha and go beyond theism and atheism to become evolved beings. But are we ready? This is a million-dollar poser.