“God is One” and Dependent Origination: Bridging Monotheism and Buddhism

Reading the works of Martin Heidegger and Paul Tillich has led me to believe that the gap between monotheistic religions and Buddhism is not as insurmountable as it may seem. Their reflections on God and existence suggest a deeper, shared metaphysical foundation.

At the heart of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam lies the affirmation that “God is One.” While traditionally understood as a statement of monotheism, this oneness points beyond mere numerical singularity — it speaks to the unity of all existence and the ultimate ground of being. This insight, when properly understood, resonates deeply with the Buddhist concept of Dependent Origination (Pratītyasamutpāda), which reveals the interconnected nature of reality.

The Oneness of God in Monotheism

Judaism: The Shema and the Unity of Being
In Judaism, the declaration Shema Yisrael (“Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is One” — Deuteronomy 6:4) affirms divine oneness. While often interpreted as monotheism, Jewish mysticism, particularly Kabbalah, sees this as an assertion of the unity of all things within the divine. God is not a separate being among others but the infinite (Ein Sof) that permeates existence. Thus, the oneness of God signifies the oneness of all reality.