# “What's the Buddhist idea of God?”

- Teacher: Ajahn Brahm
- Type: Story
- URL: https://beingmindfulstories.com/stories/brahm-frank-brennan-buddhist-idea-of-god
- Themes: interfaith, God, love, truth
- Life situations: religious difference, interfaith friendship, questioning belief in God

## Synopsis (editorial summary)

At the same chaplains' conference, a well-known Jesuit (Frank Brennan, Ajahn Brahm thinks) asks him what Buddhists mean by God. Rather than quote scripture, Ajahn Brahm points to Abbot Placid beside him: in years of friendship Placid once said everyone is searching for God, meaning truth, love, peace, kindness. So, says Ajahn Brahm, call that God — and yes, I believe in that. The questioner is satisfied.

## The story, as told by Ajahn Brahm (verbatim captions)

But the same point, I think it was... the fellow is quite well known, Frank Brennan, I think he is quite famous, I think he is a Jesuit based over in East. And he asked me this question just afterwards, He asked, "What's the Buddhist idea of a God?" So I took it deeper rather than just quoting the scriptures. And I said, "Well look, the fellow sitting next to me, Abbot Placid, I've known him for such a long time. And we have these great discussions about Buddhism and Christianity and spiritual stuff. And I really respect him I never look down upon him. And I said one thing which he once... not told me once but used to tell me many, many times, he said, one of his core beliefs; one of the things which drove him throughout his life was the realization he said that everybody, everybody was searching for God. Now that's what he said, I respect this guy. So I said, Let's take that statement from someone I respect. So what was I searching for? What are you searching? What are people actually searching for in life? What people are searching for in life is truth, meaning, love, peace, kindness. Isn't that what you're coming here for? What sort of drives you in your life? The search for truth, love, peace, contentment. He said well, if this fellow sitting next to me said everyone is searching for God and this is what people are searching for. And that's what God must mean. So in Buddhism, I said, God means peace, love, contentment, fulfillment. Call 'that' God. I said Yeah, I believe in that. And I felt Father Frank Brennan was quite happy and satisfied with that. He said that was an answer which was meaningful.

## Teaching point

If 'God' means peace, love, truth and kindness — things you can actually touch — a Buddhist can believe in that.

## Reflection (in the spirit of Ajahn Brahm's talk)

Asked what Buddhists mean by God, Ajahn Brahm skipped the scriptures and passed on what his friend Abbot Placid had said: everyone is searching for truth, love, peace and kindness. Those you can actually touch, in a mother's care or a friend who drops everything to help. Whatever words you use, notice those moments and honour them.

## Source

- [Buddhism and Atheism | Ajahn Brahm | 16-04-2010](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eRutmoPEWaQ) (Buddhist Society of Western Australia) — watch from 15:24 to 17:23: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eRutmoPEWaQ&t=924s

Other tellings of this story:

- [How to Be Happy in Solitude | Ajahn Brahm | 1 February 2019](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3e-XqXPvmFo) (Buddhist Society of Western Australia) — watch from 54:12 to 57:29: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3e-XqXPvmFo&t=3252s
- [How to Deal with Difficulties | Ajahn Brahm | 29 April 2022](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=teELqB3MAG4) (Buddhist Society of Western Australia) — watch from 11:08 to 20:14: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=teELqB3MAG4&t=668s
- [Just Do It | Ajahn Brahm | 12 July 2019](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SneCXz51CJw) (Buddhist Society of Western Australia) — watch from 36:07 to 37:05: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SneCXz51CJw&t=2167s
- [Conflict! | Ajahn Brahm | 14-12-2007](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MCSh-2-JkLg) (Buddhist Society of Western Australia) — watch from 25:45 to 27:20: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MCSh-2-JkLg&t=1545s
- [How to be of Service | Ajahn Brahm | 11 June 2021](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QgKWRJ3Po44) (Buddhist Society of Western Australia) — watch from 23:54 to 24:45: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QgKWRJ3Po44&t=1434s
- [Word of the Buddha (Part 3) | Ajahn Brahm | 9 February 2025](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OVGb4Nn84lo) (Buddhist Society of Western Australia) — watch from 1:19:23 to 1:22:21: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OVGb4Nn84lo&t=4763s