The Buddha was a non-theist. He did not accept the view that there is a "God" who saves us from trouble. His position and that of Buddhism can be summed up in this simple phrase "if it's going to be, it's up to me." Articulating that position clearly is Korean Zen Buddhist, Venerable Ponmyun Sunim. Interviewed recently he spoke about the need for people to develop their sense of independence and inner strength saying that people make themselves weak and dependent upon others and upon some higher power. This is unfortunate and unnecessary.
"Most people don’t live their lives on their own, based on their own strength," he says. "Other animals, such as squirrels or rabbits, live according to their own strengths and abilities, but humans tend not to. People often ask for help—from other people, or from God. That’s why people complain and are often in pain, because they’re always asking for help and when help doesn’t come they start to suffer. And that’s how they begin blaming other people. Many people assume there is an almighty God who will listen to their wishes—that’s how they pray, to some kind of mighty force. This makes people feel dependent on God for their lives, and they lack the strength to live for themselves. So the first thing people need to do is to learn how to become independent beings. If rabbits and squirrels can do it, then so can humans!"
"Most people don’t live their lives on their own, based on their own strength," he says. "Other animals, such as squirrels or rabbits, live according to their own strengths and abilities, but humans tend not to. People often ask for help—from other people, or from God. That’s why people complain and are often in pain, because they’re always asking for help and when help doesn’t come they start to suffer. And that’s how they begin blaming other people. Many people assume there is an almighty God who will listen to their wishes—that’s how they pray, to some kind of mighty force. This makes people feel dependent on God for their lives, and they lack the strength to live for themselves. So the first thing people need to do is to learn how to become independent beings. If rabbits and squirrels can do it, then so can humans!"
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