is a religion without mystical supernatural things. He condemned all forms of divination, and fortunetelling and the like as 'low arts'. He seemed to acknowledge that the human brain was capable of some unexplainable things, though he discouraged seeking these things. Buddhism also rejected important views of Hinduism. It did not recognize the validity of the Vedic Scriptures, other sanskrit scriptures, nor the sacrificial cult which arose from it. It also questioned the authority of the priesthood. Also, the Buddhist movement was open to people of all castes, denying the rather concrete Hindu belief that a person's worth could be judged by their blood and background, that their place in society was set and determined on this basis, that aptitudes were hereditary. Buddhism also rejects the yogas; karmayoga and bhaktiyoga. He believed that ritual sacrifice and 'magic' are not a part of dharma. He disagreed with Bhaktiyoga because he believed that God, or personal Gods are irrelevant. It may have occurred to the reader that in our discussion thus far no mention has been made of God or an eternal deity. It is clear that Buddha did not claim to be divine. He claimed to be the one to point the way to Nirvana, but it was up to each individual to find his own way there. Buddha wasn't worshiped as a god, but as a human being who gained enlightenment. The concept of a personal God does not fit into the Buddhist system of religion. Today there are many sects of Buddhism. Many differ in their concept of the divine and of Buddha. In general, Buddhists are pantheistic in their view of God. Buddhism claims that gods have no role to play in human liberation, any more than any other person or spirit. Each person must find his or her own destiny and final path to spiritual redemption. Many view God as an impersonal force which is made up of all living things and holds the universe together. Since Buddhism in general does not believe in a p...
