Is Buddhism a Religion or a Philosophy?

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To me Buddhism is a religion - do you agree?

There is a long tradition in the West to regard Buddhism as a philosophy. This tradition was started by Enlightenment philosophers (those who like rational thinking so much) who saw in Buddhism an ancient religion which fit their ideal of a rational way of life.

Is Buddhism a religion or a philosophy? 

Buddhist religious debate

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So what do you think: is Buddhism a religion or a philosophy? 

Classic Buddhist religious debate

Is Buddhism a Religion or a Philosophy?

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Buddhism is a religion. Duh.

_Joan_ says:

I think that "religion" is in the heart of the one who is practicing it. When a person devotes themselves to a belief and commits to living their life in submission to a set of teachings, then that is their religion, regardless of whether it involves belief in the supernatural or not. The devotion to their practice that Buddhists follow in every area of their lives in their pursuit of enlightenment makes it a religion.

Posted November 21, 2009

zfk says:

It is a religion with some interesting philosophical and psychological aspects. What gives it away is the reliance on revelation for knowledge of the core teachings - the three knowledges that the Buddga attained on the night he was enlightened. Obviously this is not revelation from God but it is still a supernatural source. Then there is the substance of that knowledge, which is entirely supernatural: the law of kamma, insight into the rebirth of beings in other (supernatural) planes of existence, and the Four Noble Truths (although these are arguably the least supernatural). The Pali Cannon makes it clear that the Buddha and early Sangha believed in many dieties, and also in supernatural powers being obtained by those on the path. In terms of practice, the Theravada and maybe Zen schools are the least religious if by that you mean devotional. Although Zen is clearly the odd one out, by the time you get to the Mahayana a lot of sects are as plainly religios as you can get, even involving worship of a Buddha and Boddhisattvas understood to be very god like beings. It is easy to see why this level of religiosity has been criticised as a degeneration of the historical Buddha's teaching - in the Pali Cannon he is always referred to as just a man who has reached the end of the path, not someone divine.

I have an interest in Buddhism but I am an atheist. I think the challenge for people like me is whether Buddism still makes sense and has something valuable to offer without the law of kamma, rebirth, and dare I say it, Nibbana. What is left is fundamentally an analysis of existence in terms of the three characteristics of dukkha, no-self and impermanence, and a set of practices aimed at dampening down the dukkha, without there being a final, totally dukkha-free state of Nibanna. If those practices don't reduce suffering in this very life then what value are they?

Posted May 03, 2009

kizerkid says:

Buddhism is Religion. If we define "Religion" as the quotes..the knowledge or something that we can trust and will make our live better.

Posted March 02, 2009

cara Nova says:

I say a religion - because to me the definition of religion is anything people embrace to try to grow spiritually. Which will naturally be different in different cultures. Anything that makes us more aware of our spirit is a GOOD thing. When people become more aware of spirit, and less focused on material things, then whatever venue they choose to explore that process in is VALID.

Posted October 10, 2008

Margo_Arrowsmith says:

The people who say it isn't a religion are usually atheists who are more Christian centric than many Christians. Yes, there are philosophies within that can be practiced secularly, such as detachment, but you can't believe in reincarnation and pretend to be atheist, which is the claim.

Huston Smith has it was one of the 6 most practiced religions as does many theology departments.

Its a religion.

Posted October 06, 2008

spirituality says:

Buddhism is a religion. What else is it? There is a revered figure. There are rituals. There are hierarchies. There are doctrines.

Posted October 06, 2008

Buddhism is essentially a philosophy.

Layne says:

its totally a philpsophy !!!!!!

Posted November 07, 2009

DNH says:

Buddhists do not believe in God. Buddha is not a God. He was just a human being that was "enlightened" and shared his knowledge.

Posted July 23, 2009

kizerkid says:

Buddhism is Philosophy. If we define "Philosophy" is something reasonable. One of the main concept of Buddhism is to find causes and results.

Posted March 02, 2009

Amyji says:

My Thai Buddhist husband says there is no god. Buddha was a teacher and Buddhists are followers of those teachings. I tend to believe that there is an intelligent Creator. And I also believe that people warp the original intention behind a movement, be it political or religious. There are many superstitions and religious beliefs in Buddhism. In Thailand you'll see many people donning amulets to ward off bad luck and perfectly intelligent, educated Thais consulting fortune tellers for auspicious times to conduct important affairs. You'll encounter beliefs that have nothing to do with the Buddha's teachings whether you're in Tibet, Burma, Japan, Thailand or Nepal.

Posted February 28, 2009

cryptid says:

It is basically both. The teachings are primarily philosophical, however the followers follow it in a religious way.

Posted December 10, 2008

spirituality says:

The most interesting part of Buddhism is it's philosophy. Also: there is no belief in God in Buddhism - even though many Buddhists in Asia do believe in gods.

Posted October 06, 2008

 

Buddhist philosophy 

An Introduction to Buddhist Philosophy (Cambridge Introductions to Philosophy)

An Introduction to Buddhist Philosophy (Cambridge Introductions to Philosophy)

by: Stephen J. Laumakis

Amazon Price: $27.29 (as of 12/19/2009)Buy Now

Great introduction into the philosophy of Buddhism.

Buddhist religion 

Buddhism For Dummies (For Dummies (Religion & Spirituality))

Buddhism For Dummies (For Dummies (Religion & Spirituality))

by: Jonathan Landaw, Stephan Bodian

Amazon Price: $14.95 (as of 12/19/2009)Buy Now

Great introduction into Buddhism: history and current practice.

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