WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF BELIEVING IN BUDDHA?

Saturday - 03/01/2026 23:29 Viewed: 91

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF BELIEVING IN BUDDHA?
Question:
"Hi, Venerable Master! I believe in the Creator, so when I die, my Divine Being will take me to heaven. So, if I believe in Buddha, will Buddha take me to heaven?"

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF BELIEVING IN BUDDHA?

Question:
"Hi, Venerable Master! I believe in the Creator, so when I die, my Divine Being will take me to heaven. So, if I believe in Buddha, will Buddha take me to heaven?"
Answer:
Hi sir! From what I've learned, Buddha didn't teach: “If you believe in me, I will take you to heaven.” This means that He didn't promise anyone that He would take them to heaven, if they believed in him. Why? Because He taught people to understand the law of cause and effect.
If you do evil, you will suffer evil consequences such as imprisonment or hell.
If you do good, you will receive good results such as status, fame, wealth, prosperity, etc.
If you cultivate purity, you will experience peace and happiness."
Therefore, no one can escape the law of cause and effect. If you do evil, you will be condemned to hell. Even though you believe in any divine beings, they cannot send you to heaven. If they had that power, and could send all evil peoples to heaven, would the judges and the King of Hell be out of a job? They would say to the divine beings, "How unfair!" This is contrary to the law of cause and effect.
Question:
Venerable Master! Many Creators can create humankind, this world, and all things. So, does Buddha have the power to transform this realm into paradise? Or can He transform evil people into good people, or can He put an end to war in this world?
Answer:
Who has the power to create this world, we must rely on their power to transform this world into paradise. Good and evil people are both created by the Creator, so we can only rely on their power to transform evil people into good people. Buddha did not say that He possessed these powers.
Question:
Venerable Master! If people believe in Buddha, what benefits do they gain?
Answer:
Buddha did not require anyone to believe in Him. Buddha aimed to educate people to cultivate virtue, to strive for higher ideals, and to achieve liberation from the suffering of birth and death. If people understand and follow Buddha's teachings, they themselves will escape prison and hell, and transform this world into paradise.
Question:
Venerable Master, how can people believe that?
Answer:
We know that throughout history, thousands of years ago, people made weapons and created wars and killed each other incessantly, and this continues to this day. In society, people suffer oppression from cruel kings and unjust regimes, and there are countless social evils such as theft, conflict, etc. Therefore, prisons and hell always have to open their doors to receive these wicked people.
Buddha taught humanity five fundamental things to do:
+ Transforming the Saha World into Paradise
The first principle is not to kill, meaning not to harm people or animals. Why did Buddha teach the precept of not killing first? First, let's understand the consequences of killing:
1. If you violate the precept of not killing human beings, the police will arrest you and bring you to court to judge your crime and put you in prison.
2. After death, the King of Hell will imprison you in hell.
3. Those who were killed by you, they will seek revenge for many lifetimes.
4. When you are reborn as a human, you will have many illnesses, encounter many accidents, die young, not live long, etc.
5. You will be born into a country at war and you will go the battle.
If people believe in the Buddha and follow his teachings of not killing, then this world will no longer have war, there will be natural peace, arms companies will close down, and no one will make weapons to kill people anymore. Because this helps people stop doing evil and show true love and compassion.
The second thing is to avoid theft and robbery. If people understand and act according to Buddha's teachings - avoiding theft and robbery of others' property - then this world will have no prisons or hell. The police and the courts will not have to worry about social evils. Banks can close, and we can go to sleep or go out without having to lock our doors and fear theft.
In short, if people practice these two things, it means that Buddha has taught people to transform this world into a peaceful one, where there is no theft, no prisons, and everyone lives happily. In other words, people have transformed this earthly world into paradise.
+ Building a happy Family
The third thing is to avoid adultery, or in other words, to protect family happiness. If you get married, you should only marry one wife or one husband, and not commit adultery. Because adultery, or having two husbands or two wives, will cause jealousy, conflict, and arguments within the family. Therefore, it's difficult for a family to achieve complete happiness. Thus, if you don't commit adultery, your family can be happier. However, whether you want to get married or not is your decision. Even whether you want to continue living together or divorce is your own choice. Why? Because marriage is meant to build happiness. If you get married and live in hell, then you can decide to divorce. After divorce, you can still marry someone else. That's your right to happiness. In short, Buddha taught that if people don't commit adultery, every home will be happy and peaceful.
+ Cultivating Moral Character
The fourth point is not lying. There are four ways to avoid lying:
1. Lying: Lying is to say something not true.
2. Double-tongued speech: Double-tongued speech is speaking ill of one person to another, causing discord, conflict, and even war.
3. Harsh speech: Harsh speech is cursing, swearing, or wishing death upon others.
4. Deceptive speech: Deceptive speech is using sweet words to entice or deceive others.
Buddha taught that people should not lie and, conversely, should speak truthfully. If everyone follows this, it is also a way of cultivating personal moral character. Lying to save someone or avoid social evils is acceptable. For example, if someone asks how much money your family has and where you keep it, you can't tell the truth. That's cleverness and wisdom.
+ Eliminating delusion and developing wisdom
The fifth thing is not to drink alcohol or use intoxicants. If you drink alcohol, it's a stimulant that will numb brain cells, weaken internal organs, and make you intoxicated. You won't be able to control what you're saying, doing, or thinking... once you're addicted to alcohol or intoxicants, you'll lose your ability to work and your memory, and you'll lose the seed of wisdom. Buddha taught people to stop using intoxicants. This way, they will always be alert and mindful in their present lives, and they can learn to develop knowledge, understanding, and wisdom. This is the benefit of progress in life.
Conclusion
Buddha taught the Five Precepts as the fundamental moral foundation of human life. It benefits humanity in many ways:
These five precepts help people stop killing, stealing, and committing crimes. If they stop doing evil and committing sins, it means no one needs to plead for their sins or atone for them.
These five precepts help people avoid being convicted or imprisoned in this life.
These five precepts help people avoid falling into the three evil realms: hell, hungry ghosts, and animals.
These five precepts help people be reborn as virtuous human beings in the next life.
If people apply these five precepts to world diplomacy, the world will be free from war, violence, conflict, armies, and arms trade; humanity will live in peace and love.
If people apply these five precepts to schools and social life, society will be free from theft, police, courts, lawyers, prisons, banks, closures, hoarding of property, etc.; society will be secure, and the country will be peaceful.
By applying these five precepts to family life, one's family will be faithful and happy.
By applying these five precepts daily, people will speak to each other truthfully and respectfully, possess moral character, and live together harmoniously in society.
In short, applying Buddha's teachings in this way is a very practical and effective prayer for world peace and human well-being.

Written at Khanh Anh Temple, December 17, 2025

TK Thich Hanh Dinh

Key: WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF BELIEVING IN BUDDHA