2006-11-08 14:27:49 · 13 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
You are both right. It all depends on whether or not the practitioner is a believer or an atheist.
If the practitioner believes in the Buddhist deities, then Buddhism is his/her religion. But if the practitioner is an atheist, then Buddhism is his/her philosophy.
Its the same with Judaism. It all depends on whether or not the person is a believer or an atheist there too. If the person believes in God, then Judaism is his/her religion. But, if the person is an atheist, then Judaism is his/her culture.
2006-11-08 14:43:20 · answer #1 · answered by clusium1971 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Buddhadharma has developed as many sects & branches as Christianity. (the Dalai Lama is merely the head of one small sect within one branch - the Gelukpa school of Tibetan Buddhism) Unlike Christianity, faith is not required. Some people however, have lots of it, and some branches of Buddhism foster this as helping the practice. Additionally, there are temples, ordained people , statues, pictures, rituals & chants. Sounds like a religion! But wait - there is no god! Buddha is not worshipped. There are no sins. There is no soul. Hmm... I guess it depends on what you want to consider a requirement for being a religion.
Perhaps even more importantly, any external involvement is the smallest part of Buddhist practice. The important part is what you are trying to do with the mind, moment by moment. The religious trappings are merely supportive and not necessary for progress , as many American and European Buddhists can attest to.
Am I more calm & at peace with myself & the world this year than last? Have I reduced my negative tendencies from last year while increasing the positive? Am I more aware ? Do I practice lovingkindness any better ? What is happening in my mind right now? It doesn't seem to me that religion is involved at all in Buddhist practice unless one chooses for it to be so. So for some people it may be more like a religion; for most others - particularly westerners who did not grow up in a Buddhist household, Buddhism may be more of a way of life than anything else.
Peace to all,
;-)
2006-11-08 23:07:15 · answer #2 · answered by WikiJo 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes. it is. There are 4 major religions in the world.
1. Christianity
2. Islam
3. Hinduism
4. Buddhism
2006-11-08 22:33:13 · answer #3 · answered by naw m 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It depends on how you define "religion". Buddhism has no deities and by one definition, that means it's not a religion because religion means to believe/worship a god or gods (simplistically, of course). By a different definition, where god(s) is/are not part what is characterized by "religion", Buddhism is a religion.
Most nations that officially recognize religions recognize Buddhism as a religion and Buddhist temples receive the same tax exempt status as other religious organizations. If nothing else, government is good for defining stuff.
2006-11-08 22:52:53 · answer #4 · answered by Muffie 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, Buddhism is a religion with almost a billion adherents. The head of Buddhism is the Dali Lama. It's adherents are mainly in Asia but branches can be found with Asian diaspora and converts throughout the Earth, primary in Chinese communities.
2006-11-08 22:54:16 · answer #5 · answered by Professor Bradley 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Buddhism is a religion- originally it was a single facet of Hinduism.
One uniquity of Buddhism is that it is theoretically possible to achieve (or attempt) the ultimate Buddhist goal- Nirvana without believing in a higher power.
But generally when one gets close they can differentiate between impulses which constitute thoughts and the thoughts themselves-hence sensing a sort of divine intervention in their every breath or movement. This is called the Paramatma- the divine soul, and is recognised as an incarnation of God by most.
2006-11-08 22:53:25 · answer #6 · answered by Peter F 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Buddhism is A religion, yes.
2006-11-08 22:42:21 · answer #7 · answered by BekaJoy 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes Buddhism can be a religion or it can be practiced as a philosophy. But as a Buddhist I view it as my philosophy that I practice religiously.
2006-11-08 22:42:04 · answer #8 · answered by a_delphic_oracle 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
All religions are comprised of two things; Dogma (accepted belief) and Kerygma (religious experience). they go hand in hand, a spiritual experience becomes Kerygma once it is interpreted through a Dogma i.e. a man sees a light that speaks to him, if he is Christian he'll probably call it and Angel. If Buddhism has both of these then it is a religeon.
2006-11-08 22:44:35 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
in my opinion you are right. buddhism is a religion
2006-11-08 23:20:53 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋