Why do some consider Buddhism to be a philosophy, not a religion?

Question

If you disagree, post the reasons on which your opinion is based. If you agree, do likewise.

Answer 1

Can't it be both?

love and blessings Don

Answer 2

I think Buddhism is a philosophy inside religion. When I researched Buddhism I found much of my own religion in it to such an extend that I believe Buddha is a prophet. Some people believe Buddha is in my religion book.

He teaching of "The middle course" "karma" "Afterlife" "Meditation" " Good Deeds" and "Enlightenment" is very much the philosophy of my religion.
I think only people who have reached a certain higher level in their religion can see the oneness with the teaching of Buddha compared to most religions. I think he was inspired by God, no person can get inspired like that unless it is divine intervention.
I see nothing that contradicts the existence of God, or my religion in the teaching of Buddha.

When I first began studying Buddhism I thought, "Wow, this is what my religion teaches."

Answer 3

Buddha is the central figure of the religion and originally it was the philosophy for living that he adapted and then taught which grew into the religion... therefore to think of Buddhism as a philosophy is perhaps more correct than to think of it as a religion.

Buddha was a living philosopher and it wasn't until after his dearh that several fantastic statments were made about him... the most fanciful of these was that he meditated beneith a tree for a very bazzarr and unreal length of time (Rip Van Winkle-like). It was from stories like these that he became Godly to some.

This is a good beginning place to read more about him. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_life_of_the_Buddha

(((( r u randy? ))))
.

Answer 4

I am Buddhist but I accept it as a philosophy that has an attached mythological symbolism. I follow the words of the Buddha not because they come from a God. I try to follow them because they stand up on their own merit as a way to live. I do believe in the Buddha's explanations for human suffering and his methods. I believe them because I've tried them and they've worked for me. Thus, I accept them.

In the western sense religion is the worshipping of a deity and in Buddhism there is no supreme being. The Buddha does not forbid worshipping Gods but ultimately in the Buddhist cosmology and way of thinking, only you can free yourself from samsara(cyclic existence). The Gods may be able to help but they too are trapped just like you, bodhisattva's(enlightened beings that remain on Earth) can also aid you BUT ultimately the task is yours. And by having a Buddhist statue, you are not worshipping it, nor is it necessary. The statue is a symbol to remind you of the peace and calm of the Buddha.

If you choose to make it a religion you may worship Tara, Kuan Yin, etc. In worshipping them you may worship them as real assisting entities or as symbols of what you desire to change about yourself. Both are appropriate. In Buddhism the worlds and the Gods are also highly symbolic and can be accepted both ways.

An example of this is Mara the embodiment of unskilled actions. Mara is like a Buddhist devil but the interpretation is that you and I are both Mara and Buddha. With practice and discipline we realize our Buddhahood.

Or if you wish you may accept Mara as a real force.

As a philosophy in Buddhism you are overcoming the psychological Mara inside you. In a religious sense you could be overcoming the actual tempter Mara. Both paths are rooted in the same Buddhist teachings and are proper.

View Buddhism and take from it whatever helps you with your journey in life.

Note: I also did want to add that the Fat Buddha people see is the Chinese Chan monk, Hotei who has become to some a deity of contentment and abundance. The Fat Buddha is also a representation of Maitreya, the Buddha predicted to follow Guatama, the Buddha we're talking about. Guatama, from what we know was not obese.

Answer 5

Siddharta Gautama was a philosopher, whose doctrine was to encourage people to overcome their worldy desires to attained the state of enlightenment. He was a Indian prince, who was supposedly kept in a garden with only beautiful things. However, when he left his 'prison' he saw the world and he renounced his entire life, to seek salvation for mankind.
he was a good teacher, like Socrates, but he never claimed to be God. His worship grew rampant in the Chinese culture, as the Chinese had always practiced Ancestral Worship.

Much like the mythical Lao Zi and Confucius, who are now granted divine status, Buddha is now considered Divine and prayed to by masses who did not know the difference

Answer 6

Buddhism is a way of life, not a religion. We study from Buddha who was a real person and he said some amazing things. you should read some of the buddhas teachings and maybe you would understand a little better. we don't believe in a god we just follow the buddhas teachings.

Answer 7

Buddhism is a religion. Buddhism is a religion that has started in India thousands of years ago. like other religions, it has spread across various cultures, mostly in Asia.

For Christian, no meditation is necessary and the only self-denial there is to take up your cross and follow Jesus.

Believe in your heart that God raised Jesus from the dead and confess with your mouth, Jesus is Lord. (Romans 10:9)

Answer 8

Buddhism basically teaches a way of life. There is no central God head to worship or honour. As Buddha put it to his fellow men to try out his methods to see if its suitable to their daily lives and not just to follow wholheartedly his teachings.

Answer 9

i'm not positive on this, but i believ that buddhism was a way of life, not a religion. it didnt have anything to do with worship or god, it had to do with living a good life and being a good person.

Answer 10

This has to do with the fact that in some way it is similar to Confucianism, which is a philosophy for living life

Answer 11

all religion is philosophy. it's called theology buddy. take philosophy 101, you'll learn alot.