Exploring the Connection Between Buddhism and Tarot
Buddhism and the Hierophant: Tarot Archetype
Most people have a favorable view of Buddhism. They’ll often say they relate to it or that they’re interested in learning more about it. However, the truth is that very few people actually know much about it.
Part of the reason is that Western philosophers have made Buddhism seem more complicated than it really is. In a way, these pseudo-intellectuals have built an academic barrier that keeps most people at arm’s length. Folks are familiar with Buddhism, but they don’t really understand it.
I’m here to simplify things.
And you will understand how tarot and Buddhism naturally complement each other.
Is Buddhism a religion or a philosophy?
Although many people around the world pray to the Buddha, Buddhism is more of a philosophy than a religion. The Buddha never saw himself as a god—nor did he want to be worshipped like one.
When people pray to the Buddha, they’re really praying to their ancestors or the collective spirit of humanity. The Buddha wasn’t a god. He was just a regular dude who went on a mission to help humanity understand and end suffering. No big deal.
What he discovered is that suffering is inevitable. We can’t eliminate it completely—but we can limit and transform it by following the right path. That path is called the Noble Eightfold Path.
Think of it as eight simple rules for living. Or, more broadly, a path toward enlightenment.
You don’t have to convert
Because Buddhism is a philosophy, you don’t have to leave your religion to practice it. You can be Christian, Jewish, Muslim—or not religious at all—and still follow Buddhist teachings.
At its heart, Buddhism is a philosophy of mindfulness. If you're an overthinker (like most of us), I highly recommend reading The Heart of the Buddha’s Teachings by Thich Nhat Hanh. It’s a beautifully simple guide to Buddhist principles.
Or, you can just keep reading this blog.
So… who is the Buddha?
Siddhartha Gautama—known as the Buddha—was a prince in what’s now Nepal, around the 5th or 6th century BCE. He left his royal life behind in search of a way to end human suffering. After years of study and deep spiritual practice, he became “the awakened one” and spent the rest of his life teaching others how to free themselves from suffering.
(This is a very simplified version, but we’ll explore more in future posts.)
Eventually, he articulated The Four Noble Truths—or as I like to call them, four simple truths about being human:
There is suffering.
Your suffering has causes.
You can transform your suffering.
You can transform it by following a path. (That path is the Noble Eightfold Path.)
The Eightfold Path is a way of living with awareness, compassion, and wisdom. With each mindful step, we water the seeds of peace and healing—both in ourselves and in the world.
Throughout this blog series, we’ll explore the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path—and connect them to different tarot cards.
The Hierophant and the Buddha
The Buddha is a teacher. He never wanted to be a god—and that’s exactly why I believe the Hierophant is the best tarot card to represent him.
The Hierophant often symbolizes something sacred and traditional—usually in a religious or spiritual context. Sometimes it’s about conformity. But more than that, it’s about being a guide or teacher—someone who helps others access deeper truths.
The Hierophant from the Rider-Waite Smith Deck
And while Buddhism doesn’t promote conformity in the strict sense, it does emphasize community—living by shared values grounded in truth and compassion. The Buddha spoke often about the importance of sangha—the spiritual community—and living by ethical standards rooted in love.
In most tarot decks, the Hierophant looks like a pope or high priest. Two disciples sit at his feet, listening. There are two keys at his feet as well—symbolizing access to hidden knowledge or spiritual awakening.
Both the Hierophant and the Buddha illuminate a disciplined path toward spiritual insight.
The Hierophant in tarot echoes the Buddha as a sacred teacher—not because he enforces rigid beliefs, but because he offers a path. Both figures show us that true wisdom is not bestowed, but awakened—through discipline, reflection, and devotion to truth.
