[scoussysows]

there are people who put Dhamma into practice and still have widely varying beliefs and viewpoints about all kinds of things, including God. The reason for this is that beliefs are not the point.

Yes, I agree that its not all about beliefs…that wasn’t why I was asking the question really.

Other people at a different place on the path, from a different background, might zero in on the God belief and turn that into a point of contention on discussion boards like this. I have read Thich Nhat Hanh’s ‘Living Buddha, Living Christ’ and feel its how we live our lives that matter, whether that be Christian, Buddhist or whatever. I don’t come from a religious background at all, and have great difficulty believing in God in the Christian sense of the word, and this is why I have always been drawn to Buddhism. I just wondered if Buddhists in general were opposed to the idea of God. I go to a Catholic Church but its more because it’s a spiritual place and it gives me a great sense of peace. I’ve been trying to find a way of blending the two together, and according to Thich Nhat Hanh its ok to do this - taking the best from many traditions to nourish us.

The Dhamma is about cultivating the wisdom to see any beliefs for what they are. I think there is a real danger in anyone, regardless of their belief system, concentrating too much on the ideas and theory behind the practice, when we all should just be trying to live in the moment. That was the real message coming through in 'Living Buddha, Living Christ'.

Thanks very much for your reply Jechbi.

Aasha