God

One of the first questions a person who knows nothing of Buddhism asks, "Is Buddha God?"

The answer is, of course, no.

But the question reveals something about the preconceived notions the questioner holds.

The vast majority of North Americans come to Buddhism with some deeply ingrained concepts. One of those concepts is who or what is God.

In the Abrahamic traditions of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam God is the creator of all things and, through prayer one can get him (never a her) to intervene in our particular life.

These ingrained concepts tell us God is judgmental, vengeful, and a whole host of other attributes all of which entitle him to be worshipped and revered, and feared.

There is no such being in Buddhism