Why is there no place for prayer in Buddhism despite practices of prostration and prayer in temples?
Synthesized from Source
definition
"Buddhism does not pray to an external God but invites you to awaken to the divine within, transforming yourself through meditation and responsibility rather than seeking favors from idols."
According to Osho, Buddhism leaves no room for prayer because it recognizes no external God to petition; only impersonal dharma—the law—exists, and the divine is within. Temple prostrations are human habits of bargaining and flattery, not Buddha’s teaching. Instead of asking favors, Buddha calls for awakening: meditation, responsibility, and self-transformation, dropping dependence on idols and intermediaries.
Since there’s no outside God to ask, stop bowing and bargaining—look within, meditate, and change yourself.
Why this matters practically
- Shifts you from begging for outcomes to taking responsibility for your life.
- Encourages meditation and awareness instead of superstition and bribery.
- Frees energy from rituals to focus on inner transformation and ethical action.
- Encourages meditation and awareness instead of superstition and bribery.
- Frees energy from rituals to focus on inner transformation and ethical action.
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