It's more of a life philosophy than anything. There is no worshipping, and you are constantly reminded to use reason over the Buddhist text. Whatever the case, it certainly is the perfect way to live!
2006-08-23 12:31:49 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Buddhism is a religion. There need be no god worshipping for something to be a religion. One definition is "a cause, principle, or system of beliefs held to with ardor and faith."
Philosophy, in any event, doesn't save the world. Unless you think, like, Karl Marx and Nietzsche brought about salvation or something.
2006-08-23 12:35:41 · answer #1 · answered by Gestalt 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Western Buddhists are more likely to consider it a philosophy, since in the West religion always incorporates gods. Eastern Buddhists will consider it a religion, since this is what they have learned is a religion--in other words, they do not feel a religion needs to include gods.
Basically, it's semantics and your viewpoint. It can be either or both to anyone. I would lean towards religion, simply because there is indeed a path of life-after-death lined out in Buddhism, but it works as a philosophy as well.
2006-08-23 19:37:48 · answer #2 · answered by angk 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ignorance, as there is no acceptance or love for God, therefore Buddhism can not be accepted as religious, Buddhism is atheistic and evolved out of the Vedanta philosophy of Sankara and the conclusive acceptance of undifferentiated monism, which is also atheistic.
The adwaita school of thought in Vedanta philosophy states the absolute ultimate truth is impersonal, a nameless, formless oneness known as Brahman, the Buddhist school of thought is that there is the "void" or non existence, both accept these to be ultimate reality and the rest of existence is actually non-existent.
It is only through the influence of the Kali-Yuga that anyone can accept such conclusions.
To understand all of these distorted adaptations of absolute truth, purchase one copy of the Bhagavad Gita As It Is translated from Sanskrit into English by HDG A C Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, this pure unadulterated text will provide a clear insight into the schisms of this original document, as the original text has been handed down in an unbroken chain of disciplic succession for 5,000 years and concludes the perfection of adwaita/dwaita philosophy, oneness and simultaneous difference, rather then impersonalism and voidism.
To discuss further:-Sriman Sankarshan Das Adhikari (sda@backtohome.com)
2006-08-23 20:03:11 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think calling Buddhism a religion is just more convenient than trying to explain over and over again. Millions of people are Buddhists, so its just easier to call it a religion. But doing this can lead people who don't know anything about Buddhism to think that Buddha is a god that is worshiped and that couldn't be further from the truth.
2006-08-23 19:37:26 · answer #4 · answered by SimonSays 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Buddhism is a western invention of the last century. Asians normally call their religious belief Buddhadharma.
Both aspects are not practical for me in daily life. I can not live according to an ism, because it seems to be an academic affair. The Asian rites and rituals connected with Buddhadharma are very strange to western people. Not to talk about their superstitious practices they believe to be Buddhist.
After a journey throw Buddhist sects (Theravada, Tibetan) I today prefer the spiritual sight of the old Chinese zen patriarchs and their modern heirs like Taisen Deshimaru.
2006-08-25 03:09:51 · answer #5 · answered by Werner 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sandy put it better than I could, and she's right. Buddhism is a religion. There are set buildings for worship, sets of rules and guidelines to live by, and has a purpose (i.e. to attain enlightenment). Also, in some countries there are smaller gods and spirits associated with Buddhism, which are considered pointless but harmless among the priests there.
2006-08-23 19:39:48 · answer #6 · answered by Qchan05 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Because the whole philosophy was started by a living man named Buddah who was 'enlightened'. "Religion" is a belief system that has rituals to it and the rules of that religion are adhered to. The buddists have daily rituals they must do - therefore it is a religion - not just a philosophy.
2006-08-23 19:38:32 · answer #7 · answered by longhats 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A religion does not have to have a god. Religion is a set of rules and principles and philosophies to guide a person's life. Sikhism, Jainism, Taoism are all philosophies that are termed religion.
2006-08-23 19:42:27 · answer #8 · answered by worldneverchanges 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Because it is. Although there is much controversy over this, I really think it is both a religion and philosophy.
2006-08-23 19:38:43 · answer #9 · answered by Rachel the Atheist 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I totally agree. It's such a simple philosophy.
2006-08-23 19:34:29 · answer #10 · answered by Casper 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋