Expert: Alex Wilding - 10/11/2009

Question
how are you Alex,
sorry, i am not sure if you would like to discuss these question, my entire family with relative have worship Buddha since our grand-grandfather , we believe Buddha as a true god that can bring us peace and life now and even after dead .however, some horrible things happen between 1985-2007,it turn out we have to figure it out what is Buddha ? is he God or just a man ?

before I tell you what happened, would you mind tell me what made you commit you life forever to Buddha  ?

do you believe devil , ghost , can pretend gods deceive us   ?

have you ever thought who made our life and everything ?

thank

Answer
Hi Lee,
In a word: no.
Buddha is indeed "worshipped" as a guide, teacher, and representative of our own potential. He did not make the world and does not control it - can not control it.
If we make prayers to the Buddha and get a result, that is because of our own inspiration and the blessing that flows from our devotion.
I am committed to Buddhism as it shows me the most beneficial way to live, and a path that leads beyond suffering.
If there are devils and ghosts then no doubt they can deceive us - that is one reason for relying on the pure teachings of compassion, wisdom and the nature of our minds.
Who made our live and everything? I have no idea. Probably nobody. Not Buddha, and not, I very much hope, "god".
I hope that helps a bit.
AW