Do you believe Buddhism is a religion or way of life?

Question

Why do you see it how you do?

Answer 1

Simply speaking, this is to avoid harming others and to help them as much as possible. Another way of expressing this is, Abandon negative action; create perfect virtue; subdue your own mind. This is the teaching of the Buddha. By abandoning negative actions (killing, etc.) and destructive motivations (anger, attachment, close-mindedness, etc.), we stop harming ourselves and others. By creating perfect virtue, we develop beneficial attitudes, like impartial love and compassion, and do actions motivated by these thoughts. By subduing our mind, we cut away all false projections, thus making ourselves calm and peaceful by understanding reality.

The essence of Buddha’s teachings is also contained in the three principles of the path: definite emergence, the dedicated heart and wisdom realizing emptiness. Initially, we seek definitely to emerge from the confusion of our problems and their causes. Then, we see that other people also have problems, and with love and compassion, we dedicate our heart to becoming a Buddha so that we are capable of helping others extensively. In order to do this, we develop the wisdom understanding the real nature of ourselves and other phenomena.

Answer 2

To believe in Buddhism makes it a religion, but to follow Buddhism makes it a way of life.

Every religion has one big "thing" that you simply have to take on faith as true, and Buddhism is no different. According to Buddhism, Prince Shakyamuni achieved enlightenment at the age of 34, becoming Buddha. To BELIEVE in Buddhism, you have to believe that a human being actually achieved a mental state in which he understood EVERYTHING all at once.

To follow Buddhism is to strive for enlightenment, and even without truly believing in achieving Buddhahood it is easy to foloow the WAYS of Buddhism. For example, it teaches that each person is only responsible for their own actions. This means that there is no "forgiveness" available, you simply have to think through your actions and be prepared to accept the responsibility of their outcome.

Buddhism also teaches the impermanence of the universe; that everything is in a constant state of change, and that birth, death, good times and bad times are natural occurrences that cannot be avoided. So enjoy the happy times as they happen, and understand that even the worst times will pass.

If there is one religion that I could follow, Buddhism would be it. It's just that I cannot logically swallow believing in yet another "super" human like Jesus.

Answer 3

Since Buddhism fits the definition of religion, I consider it a religion. I see it that way because I looked in the dictionary and read the definition of religion. Buddhism meets the criteria. I suppose that people who define religion as monotheistic belief in a supreme being will disagree. I go by the standard definitions.

Answer 4

Buddhism is a life philosphy rather than a religion, in my opinion, because to me 'Religion' equates directly to veneration and/or submission to a 'Supreme Being(s)'.

Since Buddhism couldn't care less about the status of a supreme being in its world view, and only regards the Buddhas as role-models of what everybody can achieve, it doesn't have that connection.

Personal opinion though. Many would argue otherwise.

Answer 5

As a Buddhist I believe nothing. This is what the Buddha told his students to do: to believe in nothing.

To some people Buddhism is a Religion. To some it is a life style. As long as they believe in something they are not practicing what the Buddha taught. Therefore the question: "What do you believe" is hard to answer

Answer 6

Buddhism is way of life. one is not forced to beleive in Buddha, he could care less, rather than viewing it as a religion, its more of a teaching or guideline to live by.

Answer 7

Plain an simple, it is a way of life because, you do not actually admire a certain religion you choose to be abstinent of a religion or you can do any/every religion.

Answer 8

Buddhism is NOTHING.

Buddha the great Philosopher said life cycles are never ending.

If you do good you have to reincarnate to receive good.

If you do bad you have to reincarnate to receive bad.

So, he said pray and practice to get to Nirvana (no more existence). Also, he said one day all inhabitants of this universe will perish when the universe collapse in its own cycle (where you achieve nirvana without practicing(become nothing and free of cycles)..

I pity you believers of Buddha for not seeing Satan's tricks to send you to eternal disappearance.

Answer 9

Any religion is a way of life if you practice it fully.

Answer 10

I think it is both. Some people see it and use it more as a philosophy, others as a practiced religion.