Question

Is the Buddhist branch of Vajrayana polytheistic?

Answer 1

Buddhism, no matter the branch is neither a polytheistic religion nor a monotheistic one, for it doesn't posit the existence of a supreme God. Tibetan Buddhism believes in the existence of deities, but those are supposed to be emerge from Emptiness, and as such are subject to impermanent existence, just like human beings. That alone sets them apart from the gods of polytheistic faiths. Those who follow the Vajrayana branch use deities as meditation aids, a way to develop desirable traits or to overcome undesirable ones.

Answer 2

Explanation:

Polytheism, the belief in many gods. Polytheism characterizes virtually all religions other than Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, which share a common tradition of monotheism, the belief in one God. Among the instances of dualistic structure in polytheistic religions are those that oppose celestial…