Buddhism - A religion or not?

Question

What do you think, and what are the reasons you think this?
Thanks.

Answer 1

Well, that's kinda a pickle. By tradition it is, but anthropologically, a religion consists of a myth (in this usage: a story, true or not, that interrelates, man, nature, and the divine) and a moral structure.

As Buddhism technically does not believe in a divine being, if it was to be said to have a myth, that myth would be missing a vital component. Further, Buddhism literally teaches that all things should be tested, that nothing should be taken on authority. This pretty much ruins any claim of Buddhism having a myth.

Technically, Buddhism is a philosophy, in the anthropological sense.

Answer 2

I like to think of it as a religion...

I am a Buddhist...

I go to temple, I pray, I have texts that I read, I have religious rituals. I have taken refuge... which is somewhat equatable to a baptism in other religions.

And a word to what some other people posted... Buddha was not a god... in Buddhism there is no "Creator god"... he was a monk... a simple man... who realized his teachings over many years of searching...

As far as reincarnation... you do not have to believe it to be a Buddhist... that is the nice thing about Buddhism... you are expected to research and learn before accepting something unlike other religions who expect a blind faith which is why some people tend to confuse it with a philosophy rather than a religion.

Answer 3

Buddhism can be a formal religion or a supplemental philosophy. It's possible, from the Buddhist point of view, to belong to another religion and still practice Buddhism.

The world would be a much better place if all religions embraced Buddhism.

Answer 4

Buddhism is not a religion because a religion is centered on a Supernatural Being, like God. The Buddha is a Great Teacher who has attained the position by his own hard work. Everyone can be like him by following his teachings.

The Buddha is not a Supernatural Power Deity. Every path of his can be traced and he taught us step by step how to attain his position.

The Buddha was born naturally from his father and mother. He had a wife, had a baby, he had money and had a body just like us. He struggled through all kinds of sins and temptations just like us. He wanted us to follow his teachings and not worship him as a deity.

Buddhism is a Way of Life, similar to Etiquette. It is an Education, similar to going to school to learn how to do math, how to do experiments, how to write an essay, how to plan for the future etc. Studying Buddhism is like learning how to live.

People like to worship heroes, their ancestors, the movie stars, the presidents, anyone with position, talent, beauty and power. But the Buddha never intended people to worship him. He just wished everyone to be a good student and follow his teachings, like a professor wants his students to get straight A's.

There are sets of rules and laws you have to follow in Buddhism, just like there are rules and laws at school, at work and in society. If you break it, you suffer the consequences.

This is best explained here:
http://www.amtb.tw/e-bud/releases/educati.htm

Answer 5

Buddhism is a religion that does not have a deity. They are a religion in the most classic sense of the term: they have a sacred text, a leader who is revered among the followers, feast days, etc.
Some Buddhists claim the original Buddha (Siddhartha Gautama) became a god after he died. This is in direct contrast with the teachings of the Buddha.

So, yes, Buddhism is a non-theistic religion.

Answer 6

A religion in the sense that it has institutions and a hierarchy but because it is based solely on practice rather than adherence to dogma or theology it can't be classed alongside conventional religions. I'd call it a system of practical philosophy. Buddhist rituals, symbolism etc. are not for devotion as in Christianity or Islam but to focus the mind for the purpose of meditation.

Answer 7

The animal sacrifice as stated in the Vedas is different from the unrestricted animal-killing in the slaughterhouse. Because the asuras or the so-called scholars of Vedic literatures put forward the evidence of animal-killing in the Vedas, Lord Buddha superficially denied the authority of the Vedas. This rejection of the Vedas by Lord Buddha was adopted in order to save people from the vice of animal-killing as well as to save the poor animals from the slaughtering process of their big brothers who clamor for universal brotherhood, peace, justice and equity. There is no justice when there is animal-killing. Lord Buddha wanted to stop it completely, and therefore his cult of "ahimsä" was propagated not only in India but also outside the country.
Technically Lord Buddha's philosophy is called atheistic because there is no acceptance of the Supreme Lord and because that system of philosophy denied the authority of the Vedas. But that is an act of camouflage by the Lord. Lord Buddha is the incarnation of Godhead. As such, he is the original propounder of Vedic knowledge.

Answer 8

Of course it is.

A religion is defined as:
1) a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe, esp. when considered as the creation of a superhuman agency or agencies, usually involving devotional and ritual observances, and often containing a moral code governing the conduct of human affairs.

2. a specific fundamental set of beliefs and practices generally agreed upon by a number of persons or sects: the Christian religion; the Buddhist religion.

Why would it not be?

Answer 9

Yes it is a religion - but religion is not the way to God. Start with a relationship with God and then ask Him what "religion" you should be a part of.

Answer 10

Here's my question. Why do you think it's not. Clearly you don't but why. Are only monotheistic religions, religions? I am somewhat taken aback by this question only because it appears to be a veiled shot at a non-theistic belief system. I could be wrong, but your question comes off that way.

If you are bothered by my asking you to justify this question, you now have an idea as to how your question sounds.