Is Buddhism a religion like Islam or Christianity? Could I be both Buddhist and Christian?

Question

I often write silly things in Answers but some things are of serious interest to me. Thank you for your serious (and silly) answers so far. It would be instructive for some to read the first answer and many of the other answers already written to formulate your thoughts more clearly. Some, particularly those of my Christian faith,do not understand Buddhism. Take a look.

Answer 1

The Buddha was not a God, Over 2,500 years ago He explained the origin of the universe, without the help of a supernatural force, an explanation which corresponds very closely to today's scientific theory (The Big Bang). He believed that the God-idea has its origin in fear, when he said: “Gripped by fear men go to sacred mountains, sacred groves, sacred trees and shrines”. Even today people tend to become more religious during crises.
We all deside things on facts , facts based on our sences , we have 5 of them. But some other animals have only one or couple of them. But still they have a world of there own. Basicilly what I'm explaning you is the buddist theory. This world is a illusion. We live here but its like a collection of ellements. Like building blocke get different shape. You have desided to seek something. May be you will find it with buddisum may be not. But its an interesting subject. You dont need to leave ur christianity to study buddisum. Its just another vision. But a vision with universal facts. Buddhas actual teaching have no fairy tales. The great german philosoper Charles Darwin have said ones, its only buddisum which have science. But now days nothing good will will long last.

Sorry my english is poor.

The ultimate goal of a Buddhist is to reach Nirvana, meaning literally “extinction”, freedom from desire and thus suffering. Effectively it is an end not only to suffering and action, but also to the cycle of rebirths. This permanent, causeless, effectless, and non-compound state can be reached through mental and moral self-purification, while a person is still alive, thus making his physical death the last one

"Now, don´t believe my words because a Buddha told you, but examine them well. Be a light onto yourselves." Buddha's words.

Buddisum is not a religion , Buddha is phillosoper , Now days we seek buddsum because it gave us so many influencial things like - Yoga , Meditation, rebirth also Kung fu.

The Buddha, based on his own experience, realized that each one of us has the capacity to purify the mind, develop infinite love and compassion and perfect understanding, and through meditation find solutions to all our problems. Buddhism does not force preset ideas on you, and furthermore all other religions are tolerated. By showing respect for another person's religion, a Buddhist demonstrates the confidence he has in the strength of his own religion.
As a Buddhist you are not dominated by an all-knowing, almighty, judging power. And you are definitely not expected to blindly believe in the things you read or study about Buddhism. Lord Buddha often asked people to go out themselves and find out if what he taught was correct.
For a Buddhist there is no god he can ask for forgiveness and thereafter carry on with his life as usual. He must learn to stand on his own two feet, and will pay for his mistake in either this life or the next. That fact might make it easier for you to understand, why seemingly innocent people are hit by tragedies in their lives apparently without reason.

Answer 2

People often debate whether Buddhism is a religion or a philosophy. Whichever it may be, a central goal is to end suffering in the world and to practice compassion - which is an alleged tenant of Christianity as well.

From a Buddhist perspective, yes you can be a Christian and study the Dharma.

But from a Christian perspective ... I'm not to sure on that.
(Edit: well, some others have said it's not possible from within Christianity, so ... Although one person confused Hinduism with Buddhism)

The Dharma is available for everyone, regardless of their chosen faith.

But - and this is based on my experience - you may find that some of the tenants of Buddhism may conflict with those of the monotheistic religions - Judaism, Christianity, and Islam - because Buddhism is an "atheistic religion"; the Buddha rejected the notion of a separate Creator God.

Answer 3

Hi i am a Theravada tradition of Buddhism, Some people see Buddhism as a moral teachings but the others see it as religions. You could, but it's only for morals teaching but not for concepts of God, life and creations.

Buddhism is an atheist, they don't care about God. Because God exist or not will not be a problem, because life, dead and suffering are decided by our actions(karma) plus the other law like nature law.

Buddhism has heaven like the heaven in christian, but they have about 26 heavens with different happines depend on your good karma. But heaven is not eternal, after a long-long time( so long so you will think it's eternal) people will reincarnate again and again to other realm until they get enlingthment (arahat) or become another Buddha. That condition of enlightment called Nibbana.

So if you worried that you won't go to heaven, just keep become a christian (you must believe in Jesus, right)but practicing the Buddhist moral teaching will be good even you are not a Buddhist (you don't have to be a Buddhist for heaven, just your karma(actions)).

Thats all i know, for a bit more just look to the wikipedia

Answer 4

I would consider Buddhism a religion. In Buddhism people follow the teachings of Buddha they dont worship him, they believe if they follow the teachings of Buddha they will become enlightened after many many reincarnations. I have heard of people partially following the religion and i would have to give them credit because i have studied many religions and Buddhism i would have to say would be the most difficult to follow. The main reason why i would say that is because they follow the saying that you can not desire anything, you basically just have to be. That is hard because I would have to say that 99.9 percent of all us Christians desire something in one way or another. As the same for other religions.

Answer 5

Buddhists don't worship Buddha. They do study his teachings and try to live a good live while minimizing suffering in the world. In that way it is more like a philosophy or a life-style.

There is no reason that a Christian (who by definition believes in Jesus as his savior) can't also follow Buddhist teachings and practices. They are highly compatible. Just like Christians who observe the Old Testament kosher rules, can still be good Christians.

I know lots of people who are Buddhist Christians.

Answer 6

Buddhism is a religion -- with a range of beliefs (ranging from polytheism to pantheism to atheism).

You can not be a 100% true Christian and a 100% true Buddhist at the same time. You would have to trade off some beliefs of one versus the other.

Cordially,
John

Answer 7

Although classified as a religion, Buddhism is really more of a way of life. There are plenty of Christian Buddhists. It's completely compatible with more liberal forms of Christianity.

Answer 8

I don't know the whole doctrine of buddhism, but I know that Christians are monotheistic so if there is an actual 'god' figure in buddhism, then no. However, I believe you can be a Christian with buddist characteristics, or vice versa.

Answer 9

I think it's possible to be a bit of both if you're not a fundamentalist of either religion. At this point, I consider myself an agnostic, with a Christian heritage and strong Buddhist tendencies.

Answer 10

yes it is a specific religion. to be a member of a christian church, you would not be allowed to be a member of another. same is true of buddhism. that does not mean you cannot believe both.