Om

I would like to say that Buddhism is not atheistic, for several reasons. First is the way the Buddha lived, and what he taught. The Buddha didn't talk about God. His main point wasn't whether there was a God or not. He taught compassion and wisdom, which is valid for anyone who is a believer or an atheist or anything else. Buddhist taught no-soul, but it wasn't his main purpose to make people not believe in God. In my opinion, you can't really come to enlightenment if you don't understand the soul. But then I would allow for discussion, but it's not my main point to try to convince people of this. The reason I go on about it is because I feel it's quite important. People have a negative view of God, yet the opposite- complete opposite- is true. God is the best thing in the universe. God, and Love, those are simply positives. But I have to go back because what I just said didn't convey the meaning or feeling behind the words at all. I know that it's important to share, because it's absolutely clear to me. Not that I know anything more than anyone else, but simply that I know that the infinite exists. I am nothing but something between nothing and the infinite. But what does that mean? It means I have no definition or existence at all except for in relation to the infinite. So this tells me two things; the infinite exists in my life and I can either go towards or away from it. And, since all is part of the infinite, nothing can die. All is simply forms and originations from the infinite, and it is being held up also by this infinite; which is the non-dualistic source of reality.

In my opinion, correct following of Buddhism will lead you to enlightenment. But it doesn't have to with God! It is simply understanding that in yourself is Buddha. Your very nature is buddha-nature -- [I]which means you affect every living creature in existence, and when you realize your true self you are surrounded by infinite variations of it.[/I] At your fundamental nature is buddha-nature. So you cannot go anywhere- inside you or outside- that is not Buddha, buddha-nature, or Buddha's teachings, Buddha lands, etc... when you know what all this is, you will not doubt that you could have a similar understanding of reality if you believed in the soul.