--- In Pali@yahoogroups.com, Nina van Gorkom <vangorko@...> wrote:

> Dear Mr. X,
> welcome to this group.
>
> op 17-08-2005 01:29 schreef xyz_g3 op xyz_g3@...:
> > I am interestested in matters relating to Bhikkhus and Bhikkhuni
> > Vinaya. And exactly what certain passages mean.
> -----
> N: You can mention which passages.
> ---------
> > As an intorductory enquiry I would like to ask does anyone know

if

> > there is a rule regarding the translation of the Pali word which
> > translates as god or God ?
> >
> > Is there ever a case where God in opposition to god is used? And

do

> > you know which word translates as G god.
> -----
> N: devas are divine beings in heavenly planes. Mahaa-brahma is the

chief of

> brahmas of the brahma planes.
> He is not eternal, but since he was first in the highest brahma-

plane and

> thought: I wish there were others, and then, since others arose

there

> because of conditions, he thought he was the creator.
> I also met with the word issaro in the commentary, meaning lord,

ruler,

> master.
> Nina.

Hi
Indeed it may need clarification, usually; these are found in the
Samyutas:
A Brahmin youth asks the Blessed One: `But are there gods?
And the Answer, (compassionate, truthful. peaceful as ever):
`It is customary to say that there are'.
I guess it simply means that anyone who does not want the god-thing,
May do without…
The historical spread of Buddhism always accommodated to the
beliefs, customs and habits of the people adopting it.
Seems to me that this attitude was introduced by the Buddha
himself, `from scratch' In the very first land that the Dhamma was
taught - India,
featuring the local names of gods And ways of belief.
The real message is the Dhamma, the observation and understanding
of Reality.
A G/god is valid, if believed in, as a guardian of the Dhamma.
Or as an obstructer,
Mara, `the evil tempter', let's not forget, lives in the highest of
the sense realms - `the abode of gods rejoicing in the creations of
others' and moreover, himself even designated as `lord of the
senses'.
See also Majjhima Nikaya 49. Brahmanimantanika Sutta.

Unfortunately,
As an answer to Dmitro and here too,
I do not have a copy of the Samyuta Nikaya, and do hope memory is
reliable…

Bhikkhu Jothiko