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Buddhism is a non-theistic tradition, meaning it does not revolve around a creator god. However, prayer and devotion are still important practices for many Buddhists. Here's why:

1. Respect and Reverence – Many Buddhists pray as an expression of deep respect for the Buddha, bodhisattvas, or enlightened beings. This is similar to how one might honor a wise teacher or ancestor.

2. Seeking Guidance and Inspiration – Prayers to Buddhas or bodhisattvas are often made with the intention of cultivating their qualities, such as wisdom, compassion, and patience, rather than asking for divine intervention.

3. Merit-Making – In many Buddhist traditions, acts of devotion, including prayer and offerings, are seen as ways to accumulate merit (good karma), which helps in one’s spiritual progress.

4. Intercession and Help – In Mahayana Buddhism, bodhisattvas, such as Avalokiteshvara (the bodhisattva of compassion), are believed to respond to prayers by guiding practitioners or easing suffering.

5. Cultural Influence – In some regions, especially where Buddhism mixed with local traditions, prayer took on forms similar to theistic religions, even though the philosophical foundation of Buddhism remains non-theistic.

So, while Buddhist prayer may look similar to theistic worship, it’s typically about personal transformation, reverence, and seeking guidance rather than appealing to a god for favors or miracles.

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“It’s foolish to call Chanakya an Indian Machiavelli. Rather, Machiavelli was possibly an Italian Chanakya.”
― Ashwin Sanghi

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The Grhasta blessed if house a bliss, wife speaks sweetly,
If wealth satisfies desire, sons able, enjoys wife’s company;
If servants obedient, has hospitality, Lord worshiped daily,
Delicious food, drink shared, finds joy in devotees’ company.
[209] 12.1 Chanakya”

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