Is Buddisim a religion or teaching?

Answer 1

no, buddhism is not religion, at least, not like what we call religion at all. it is a philosophy, therefore, a teaching. it teaches that by letting go, that everthing becomes nothing, but then nothing becomes everything. it's good to let go. it is good to not waste time on religions that cause you worry over whether you are good enough for g-d, or bad, or whether you will go to heaven when you die (and by what deeds, or by following what faith), or if you will go to purgatory, or if you will go to hell.

there is no hell in buddhism, there is no heaven, there is no beginning and there is no end. i hope you see the wisdom in this, but either you will or you won't. no buddhist would be angry with you if you did not:

METTA SUTRA

This is what should be accomplished by the one who is wise, who seeks the good and has obtained peace:

Let one be strenuous, upright and sincere, without pride, easily contented and joyous.

Let one not be submerged by the things of the world. Let one not take upon one’s self the burden of riches.

Let one’s senses be controlled.

Let one be wise but not puffed up. And let one not desire great possessions, even for one’s family.

Let one do nothing that is mean or that the wise would reprove.

May all beings be happy. May they be joyous and live in safety.

All living beings, whether weak or strong, in high or middle or low realms of existence, small or great,

visible or invisible, near or far, born or to be born, may all beings be happy.

Let no one deceive another, nor despise any being in any state;

let none by anger or hatred wish harm to another.

Even as a mother at the risk of her life watches over and protects her only child,

so with a boundless mind should one cherish all living things, suffusing love over the entire world.

Above, below, and all around, without limit, so let one cultivate an infinite good will toward the whole world.

Standing or walking, sitting or lying down, during all one’s waking hours,

let one practice the way with gratitude.

Not holding to fixed views,

abandoning vague discussions,

endowed with insight,

freed from sense appetites,

one who achieves the way will be freed from the duality of birth and death.

Answer 2

Teaching

Answer 3

as with all religions it started with a teaching and became a religion. You can take the teaching, or you can take the religion.

It's the same with christianity. Personally i prefer the teaching.

Answer 4

I just took a religion course and learned it's more of a way of life than a religion.

Answer 5

Lord Buddha teachings were practiced and followers were Buddhist hence Buddhism came into existence.

Answer 6

faith is what you're making of it. human beings bypass to conflict over it, yet in addition they bypass into the poorest aspects in the international and grant charity through fact of it. human beings use it to excuse hate, yet in addition they use it instruct love. as nicely, religions many times replicate cultures. a faith does not help arranged marriages if the encircling custom did no longer. Many American Christian denominations settle for women persons as totally equivalent to adult men now. Why? Did the Bible without notice substitute? No, custom did. Christianity in the past pondered the patriarchal custom it stepped forward in, and now its reflecting - right here besides - modern values of equality.

Answer 7

I am not an expert at Buddhism but, as far as I know Buddhism is a philosphy of how to lead your life and that it does not have a central "god" that requires blind faith and worship like many other religions.

Answer 8

I vote for louiegirl's answer - Buddhism is NOT a religion - it is a spiritually dimensioned way of life

Answer 9

it's a teaching, in buddhism, there isn't any god to pray to unlike other religion.

Answer 10

religion