I post here an edited version of a my response to a question on Quora. That was my first and possibly my last time on Quora. I was browsing the site and found this question "What did the Buddha think about gods?" and read may incorrect and misleading answers by other readers. My response is short and doesn't include any links for more information. I can write more if any readers want detail or sutta references.
In the Theravada Buddhist tradition, the Buddha (the Blessed One) taught there are gods. He taught the way to achieving rebirth in heaven realms through wholesome action in body, speech and mind.
In the Theravada Buddhist tradition, the Buddha (the Blessed One) taught there are gods. He taught the way to achieving rebirth in heaven realms through wholesome action in body, speech and mind.
My comments here reflect my understanding of what I read in English translations of Buddhist discourses by Bhikkhu Bodhi and others. You may search this translator in Amazon or other places.
There are many discourses where the Blessed One conversed with gods, known as deva or devaputta (child of a god) in Pali language. Another translation of deva could be deity or spirit. There are six sensual heaven realms where gods enjoyed only pleasure. There are other more subtle form heaven realms where brahma gods with even longer lives (but not immortal) exclusively enjoy bliss of loving-kindness and other divine states. There are discourses describing the Buddha and other awakened beings visiting these various realms to teach the gods. None of the gods or any other beings mentioned in the teaching of the Buddha were immortal or omnipresent or all powerful. They are described as having various powers and capabilities that are limited in various ways.
The Blessed One taught followers to frequently recollect gods and pay respect to them as one might respect parents and ancestors. The wholesome conduct leading to heavenly rebirths includes avoiding unwholesome conduct, practising wholesome conduct. For example, no killing, stealing, sexual misconduct, lying and avoiding substances that confuse the mind and lead to the other four unwholesome forms of conduct. The Blessed One taught that generosity, non-cruelty, studying the teaching of the Buddha, respect for beings worthy of respect, and cultivating wholesome states of mind with various forms of meditation all may lead to either rebirth in a heavenly realm and ultimately to final liberation from the round of rebirths - nirvana.
Although the Blessed One taught these ways to rebirth in heaven realms, he most of all encouraged followers to aim for final liberation from the round of rebirths. After a long life-span in a heaven realm, beings inevitably will return to lower realms such as human, animal, ghost and hell realms where there is much suffering. Note that although the heaven realms are delightful, the human realm is favoured for the work of wholesome conduct leading to heaven realm rebirths or to final liberation.
