Transtheism

Transtheism is a term in comparative religion and philosophy for a religious system in which gods may exist but are not the highest spiritual reality, because they are subordinate to a higher principle or state such as liberation (moksha) or nirvana. It differs from theism, which makes a supreme God central, and from atheism, which denies that gods exist. Its prefix trans- is Latin for “beyond.”

It is therefore not the same as atheism, since the existence of gods is not necessarily denied. It is also not simple agnosticism, since it makes a positive claim about what is ultimate.

Origin of the term:

The term appears in print in 1952 in Paul Tillich and in 1953 in Heinrich Zimmer. Because the two men knew each other, it is difficult to say which coined it, and neither used the word “transtheism” himself. Tillich's related idea of a “God above God” is usually cited in this connection. Zimmer's discussion is in his Philosophies of India (1953), edited by Joseph Campbell.

Application to religions:

Jainism: Zimmer applied the term to Jainism, in which the gods exist but become immaterial as they are transcended by moksha, so they are not the highest spiritual instance. Jainism rejects a creator God and holds that the universe is uncreated.

Buddhism: In Buddhism, gods (devas) exist within the cycle of rebirth but are impermanent, are not creators, and cannot grant liberation. In Theravada Buddhism, the state of Nibbana is held to transcend all realms of existence.