The obsession with exactly two levels

[vulcanlogician]

The Buddhists don't believe in creator gods.  It's all a function of karma which plane you are reborn into after each life, and what sort of being you become.  I'd have to do some research regarding Buddhist origins regarding existence and the various planes.  My understanding is that in Buddhism, gods are essentially just extremely accomplished and powerful beings.  The reason Buddhists likely don't concentrate on the gods is that the goal of Buddhism is nirvana, to be released from perpetual existence.  The gods themselves are too comfortable to be motivated towards attaining nirvana, so they are actually considered less likely than a human to achieve nirvana.

Buddhist rebirth in different planes of existence

In the case of bodhisattvas (like Avalokitesvara), they are enlightened beings who are a single step from attaining nirvana but who (out of compassion) choose to remain connected with the world to help other beings attain enlightenment.



Not very much aware of gods apart from bodhisattvas in the Buddhist tradition. Is that what you meant?