They have temples, schools of thoughts, Church hierarchies, a number of divinities (at least in Tibetan Buddhism), rituals, cosmological beliefs, prayers, monasteries...
What do people mean when they say Buddhism is not a religion? Is that a myth?
2006-12-27 07:08:14 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Buddhism is essentially a means to psychological and spiritual wholeness. In it's own language, Buddhism is the 'way to enlightenment' and the instrument of Higher evolution.
Buddhism is the teaching of a human being who transcended his own being, not by any divine intervention and purely altruistic in nature. Essentially it is a system of ethics, rather than commandments. The interpretation of the Dharma has been molded to fit each culture it has encountered, hence the various ways in which Buddhism is practiced.
The symbolism which one encounters in Buddhism is merely a way of recounting the Dharma, as are the practices, they are not a form of worship. The 'prayers' offered in Buddhist ritual do not ask for assistance, but for the clarity within oneself to achieve Nirvana.
Buddhism offers a clear path to improve, and eventually transcend, oneself, within the bounds of reality rather than fantasy...
2006-12-27 07:24:04 · answer #1 · answered by McAtterie 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Buddhism is not a religion, Buddhism is a way of life.
Buddhism teaches people how to live and be enlightened, it also teaches people how escape from suffering.
Alof of people thinks that Buddhist only chant and pray to statues, but that is those who is shallow. Have anyone askes why people chant?
Alot of Buddhist love to chant, It is belived especially chanting for someone and hoping that the one that you chant for gets the blessing and not to chant for ourself is just a part of practice to let go.
Example: Letting go has many defination, for example when we have friends that get a huge promotion but not us, we wont feel bad or sad as we learned to let go during the process of chanting.
Chanting also can help us practice patience, there are alot of hidden meanings in each practice.
I might not be able to answer all your questions here, but please do visit my blog or you can email me and we can further discuss on this matter.
The main thing in Buddhism is to practice the path the Lord Buddha has drafted for us.
2006-12-28 09:20:35 · answer #2 · answered by gerald j 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No.
Certainly Tibetan Buddhism is a religion.
Zen cannot be classified as such, as it simply doesn't address the question of god, afterlife, etc...
So, you can certainly practice some types of Buddhism without any reference to religion.
2006-12-27 15:11:59 · answer #3 · answered by Samurai Jack 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I don't think Buddhism would be considered a religion if it didn't deal with past lives. But it does. It is more philosophical than anything else though. Buddha is not a God, he is meditated upon to inspire enlightenment.
2006-12-27 15:13:10 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The idea of Buddism does not involve a God. Therefore some do not consider it a religion. It is about Self-Enlightenment through your environment. The New Agers have taken this idea and expanded on it with the false "Everyone is their own God" mentality.
2006-12-27 15:18:15 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
that they dont believe in god
2006-12-27 15:22:05 · answer #6 · answered by Remnants Of Yesterday 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋