| Is buddhism a religion?
Posted: 6/4/2006 6:30:18 PM | Is buddhism considered a religion or a state of mind? What is the definition of religion (do you have to have worship or a god, for example)?
On a related note, is there a religion or a label for the following belief: This person believes in reincarnation. This person also doesn't believe in society's values and morals (perhaps a complete sociopath or sociopathic tendencies - meaning absence of conscience and inability to understand right and wrong)? Lastly, would a person like that be reincarnated as a slug?
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| Is buddhism a religion?
Posted: 6/4/2006 7:08:21 PM | First question: There are many different "schools" of Buddhist thought. Some of them act more like mainstream religions, and have supernatural entities, etc. Others do not.
Second question: What are "Society's Morals", exactly? What society? Right and Wrong are subjective terms, so it would help to have a basic outline of what Rights and Wrongs this person is having issues with.
And no, they wouldn't be reincarnated as a slug, all slugs do is eat, mate, and die. That seems too easy. :-P | |
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| Is buddhism a religion?
Posted: 6/5/2006 11:56:52 AM | | Unfortunately Buddhism has become a religion, it is filled with dogma too. Even though it has the wisdom of Gataum Buddha is still every bit as profound: Be a light unto yourself, will always mean create a your own path no matter how many theologists attack it | |
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| Is buddhism a religion?
Posted: 6/5/2006 12:48:17 PM | Offhand, Buddhism is not a religion, at least in the way we westerners think of the word religion.
However, if you think of religion as a way of life; rather than mearly as a collection of dogmatic gobbeldigook and impractical nonsence with no real value; then Buddhism could be considered a " Religion ". | |
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| Is buddhism a religion?
Posted: 6/5/2006 4:15:00 PM | I think of religion as a comprehensive worldview that is distinguished from a philosophical perspective by some element of faith (i.e., not a purely intellectual acceptance), even if that faith can be directly validated through personal experience, as in Buddhism.
So, Buddhism is a religion, in my view. I can appreciate Buddhism intellectually and see that it is reasonable, rational, and consistent, which supports my faith that I can eventually and ultimately experience ultimate reality directly by continuing to develop my practice. Knowing that this is possible based on the experiences of those who have gone before is also an incentive. | |
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| Is buddhism a religion?
Posted: 6/5/2006 7:57:33 PM | trippy_hare:
1. The school of Buddhism that does not believe in any deity is the one I'm talking about. Does the absence of something or someone to worship label Buddhism as something other than a religion?
2. True, morality can be subjective. But there are some clear boundaries in most societies - murder is wrong (absent self-defense, etc), adultery is wrong, intentionally inflicting pain on someone out of selfishness or pleasure, etc.
"All slugs do is eat, mate, and die." What if a person's life can be summed up in the same way? What would they have to do different? | |
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| Is buddhism a religion?
Posted: 6/6/2006 12:55:29 AM | There is something more that slugs do than eat, mate and die.
Can you think of what it is and how it applies ? | |
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| Is buddhism a religion?
Posted: 6/6/2006 3:43:41 AM | I have heard people argue for both sides of this question.
i think it acts like both in different circumstances
so now i wonder what buddha wouldda wanted | |
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| Is buddhism a religion?
Posted: 6/8/2007 4:56:34 AM | | No it is not.At least the original words of the fully enlighted Buddha Gautama.However it is recognized as one.Ask yourself this question.Did Jesus teach religion? No he did not.Instead he was much a philosopher like Buddha and was interested in helping humans rather than worrying about forming a "religion". Both asked to spread the good news they had taught during their experiences of enlightenment.Neither accepted all the beliefs of their own religion they were taught under (Judaism for Jesus and Hinduism for Buddha.)Instead they wandered the lands searching for god and both ended up being fully enlightened.They both were philosphers and spiritual masters not religious leaders.Believe it or not Jesus was actually a Buddhist.Of course you say this to a christian and they reject it.Buddhism is simply investigation and coming to a conclusion through it.This is exactly what Jesus did and rejected the old testament .He changed the eye for an eye philosophy to turn and give the other cheek.This would classify him as a seeker of enlightenment through investigation rather than blind faith through the beliefs in a supreme god or external creator as explained in the religion he was being origianlly taught under. | |
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| Is buddhism a religion?
Posted: 6/8/2007 11:11:30 AM | Buddha was just a dude and said so himself.
So he is not god nor worshipped. Nor did he leave a religious ceremony for worshipping .
In his time and place of teaching there were several religions and followers always asked him which is right. Who is God.?
He always sidetracked the issue by stressing what good is this God or that if you're a mess. Know yourself and know God. Look within not without.
To a westerner this seems backwards. We want to know of God first then we will work on ourselves(or pray for God to change us cus we're too lazy to do the heavy lifting reguired). And yet, how many "men of God" have sinned and done stupid stuff in the news recently?
Buddha's idea was more direct. You can't really know God until you know yourself. You are the fulcrum and starting point. His spiritual practice can be used by followers of any faith or those of no faith. One should think of Buddhism as one thinks of psychiatry. Freud was not god nor did Freud start a religion. He began a science of self examination that can be used by all.
Do you convert to psychonalysis?
Do you worship Jung?
Same deal with Buddhism. It is a spiritual method,
a means,
not an end.
As he once said:"Dharma practice is a boat you use to cross the river. Once on the other side you leave the boat behind. Why carry it further?"
I use Buddhist meditation to be a better follower of the teachings of Jesus. | |
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| Is buddhism a religion?
Posted: 6/8/2007 2:36:04 PM | | That is nice to hear.Jesus was teaching what the fully enlightened one was teaching 500 years before so therefore it is safe to say God exists as infinite love . | |
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| Is buddhism a religion?
Posted: 6/8/2007 3:08:06 PM | I believe Buddhism is a religion. My grandmother is Zen Buddhist. They have very elaborate rituals especially revolving around passing relatives. I've never been Buddhist but did attend a meditation course for almost a year and the teacher was Buddhist.
He talked a lot about non attachment. And the way i understood it was that we shouldn't latch on to things in our minds. we should just let them flow through. In this way we are free to experience instead of relive past experience in the present moment. He also talked about this in context to meditation and the fuzzy feeling we get when we begin meditating. He taught us that we need to move beyond this feeling and not get addicted to it as it is not the purpose of meditation. Beyond this feeling is a clear still point where clarity in all exists. I only went beyond and found this point and when i noticed i did it was gone.
crazylilting | |
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| Is buddhism a religion?
Posted: 6/8/2007 3:16:52 PM | | Well some view it that way but by definition a religion believes in the salvation of a savior or Almighty God through faith.Buddhism believes more in philosophy to become masters of ourselves through investigation. | |
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| Is buddhism a religion?
Posted: 6/8/2007 3:58:06 PM | I've been studying Buddhism for about 19 years now...
There are a few different sects, but the ones I've studied are Theravada, Mahayana, Pure Land and Zen...
Some have gods, some don't, but the ones that do, believe that a person is only ruled by gods until they are enlightened and that these gods are not higher in power than an awakened mind.
The Dalai Lama says they are all correct and that different things work for different people...
I would sum up Buddhism as the Art of seeing through the illusion of separation through the practice of living in the present moment, compassion and letting go with ease.
It's tough to say whether Buddhism is really a religion or not... It doesn't REALLY have too many set rules(Some sects have made so many rules that it can appear to be as dogmatic as some religions)...But it didn';t start out that way... All sects I've studied believe the Buddha (Sidhartha Gautama) always told his followers to look within for the ultimate truth...
Buddha always said, "Don't take what I'm saying, just try to analyse as far as possible and see whether what I'm saying makes sense or not. If it doesn't make sense, discard it. If it does make sense, pick it up."
"We don't search because we wish to be enlightened, we are enlightened because we wish to search" -- H.H. The Dalai Lama | |
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| Is buddhism a religion?
Posted: 6/8/2007 4:32:24 PM | | I just bought a book today on his biography Man,Monk,Mystic.I cant wait to read it.He sure gives hope in a world needing these days.I like the idea that he can bring together all religions even though he sometimes gets criticized.He even views Jesus as a fully enlightened being. | |
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| Is buddhism a religion?
Posted: 6/8/2007 4:41:59 PM | He's awsome!! I saw him speak in Toronto a year or so ago... What presence!
If I may, I wanted to suggest Thich Nhat Hanh as well... He's worked alongside the Dalai Lama for years and is such a gifted writer and teacher...
There are no texts or religions or people for whom I have ever been able to say "Yes... That is how I see things..."
H.H. The Dalai Lama and Thich Nhat Hanh are the only ones...
And they did it with a smile. | |
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| Is buddhism a religion?
Posted: 6/9/2007 11:36:45 AM | | Buddhism to me is a philosophy, not a religion. As others have stated, there are many different sects of buddhism and unforunately some have made it into a religion. Unfortunately with everything in life, if money is to be had, someone will pervert it. | |
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| Is buddhism a religion?
Posted: 6/12/2007 12:33:01 AM | Sadly, alot of people misinterpret the word religon into the belief of a power above.
I have had tons of people ask me if i worship buddha, and i only respond that i follow buddhist teachings and meditation.
I dont think the question should be is buddhism a religion, but what is a religion. | |
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| Is buddhism a religion?
Posted: 6/12/2007 12:37:01 AM |
I have had tons of people ask me if i worship buddha, and i only respond that i follow buddhist teachings and meditation.
I know what you mean... That's why I try not to label myself as a Buddhist really... More like my thinking is very Buddhist...
Does that make sense? Not clinging to Buddhism? Lol! | |
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| Is buddhism a religion?
Posted: 6/12/2007 12:38:21 AM | | I also try to not tell people im buddhist, but sometimes people ask me questions, and it is easier to cheat and just say " yeah im buddhist" | |
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| Is buddhism a religion?
Posted: 6/12/2007 7:43:33 AM | | Yea, I think Buddhism is considered a religion. The majority of China and Japan (I believe) are Buddist. It's not a strict religion, and I don't believe they necessarily worship anything. IMO Buddhism is an example of what a religion should be. It's more of a guideline to how you should live your life, rather than something that scares you into acting a certain way. | |
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| Is buddhism a religion?
Posted: 6/13/2007 10:06:44 AM |
trippy_hare:
1. The school of Buddhism that does not believe in any deity is the one I'm talking about. Does the absence of something or someone to worship label Buddhism as something other than a religion?
Technically, none of them are supposed to believe in a deity, but some sects of Buddhism still believe in supernatural entities and ghosts and weird crap like that. I think I get what you're saying, so we'll ignore all the crazies and stick to just the core of Buddhism as taught by Buddha.
Technically, Buddhism would be atheistic: though that doesn't necessarily exclude it from the title of religion, as there is stilla belief in unknowable forces and some form of post-death continued existence. It really depends on your own meaning of the word 'religion'.
2. True, morality can be subjective. But there are some clear boundaries in most societies - murder is wrong (absent self-defense, etc), adultery is wrong, intentionally inflicting pain on someone out of selfishness or pleasure, etc.
Not necessarily. Infidelity in polygamous cultures is difficult to define: and even in Western culture, it is seen as generally acceptable for young men to go sow their wild oats and have lots of sex all over the place, but inappropriate for young women to do the same. Murder is the same way... the word has different connotations. In many cultures in the developing world, 'honor killing' or 'counting coups' are still admirable goals: collecting fetishes taken from the bodies of one's victims/enemies is still practiced in tribal cultures. As far as inflicting pain... again, its very ambiguous. Look at the sexual fascination and indulgence in S&M... which has been around forever, it's just more widely talked about now.
I could go on, but you get the idea. My point is that, although every culture has its mores and taboos. Which society is the person in question disagreeing with, and what actions are they engaging in that go against the stated society's norms? It's hard to generalize about a topic that is as widely varied as societal standards.
"All slugs do is eat, mate, and die." What if a person's life can be summed up in the same way?
Lucky them. :-P
What would they have to do different?
I'm not sure what you're asking, but going back to the slug thing, I'm going to infer that you're asking what the eat-sleep-shag person would have to do to avoid being reincarnated as a slug. Is that about right?
I would imagine they'd have to elevate themselves above the self-gratification stage. If we use Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs (<3!), eating and sleeping are in the lowest tier [mating is, IMHO, somewhere between the the immeidate survival needs and the less-than-immediate survival needs. There are better reasons to have sex than solely for mating purposes]. There are several other levels, including familial needs, social needs, etc. I would imagine a person would have to demonstrate a clear desire to do something that would have a benefit to someone other than themselves (not to say the person in question won't get any benefit... but the motivation for the action is the benefit of others, even if that isn't the exact result). | |
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| Is buddhism a religion?
Posted: 6/14/2007 1:50:33 AM | | I don`t know what to call it, but if there were more buddhists in this world, it would be more peacefull. | |
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| Is buddhism a religion?
Posted: 6/26/2007 12:15:22 AM | Wow!
Some very good answers given here! 
To be a religion, strictly speaking, requires belief in deity and the practice of dogma and the original buddhist philosophy had no specific deity.
The book 'The Life of the Buddha' contains a story of how the buddha was approached by some of his monks and asked if the language and format the dharma was being taught in should be formalised. The buddha replied to the effect that the dharma should always be taught in the language of and according to the culture and current understanding of the audience it was being delivered to at any given time.
In that way buddhism became integrated into many other religions including the ancestor worshippers of Tibet and the Sufis of Islam. Most significant, to our own culture, was the integration of the core values of Love, Compassion, Joy and Equanmity to the previously very unequanimous religion of Deist Judaism by a certain Mr Jesus Christ. | |
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| Is buddhism a religion?
Posted: 6/26/2007 8:40:02 PM | I tell people that i was born, baptisted and confirmed catholic that i believe in god and jesus christ. I also tell them that I feel god has more important things to do with his time than be concerned with the moment to moment events in my life. Like peace on earth and any other world he created. With my pratice of Nichiren Buddhism I call on myself for the "little" issues in my life. And they are all small in comparrison to what god faces. It helps me to lead a life more in the image of Jesus by understanding where i am at in a given moment and reacting to that moment with his teachings in mind.
How many human beings were hurt or died today because so many peoople asked god to help them thru a situation that they could have handled by themself
We all have been given a free will to choose how we can be in his image.
Nichiren Buddhism does not worship anything so it probably is not a religion just a way of life.
What is religion anyway? Is it a way of life? A means to create order out of chaos? A set of rules that keeps us in line for fear of punishment or granting a reward for being good? Something to make us act as human beings. Is religion man made? Does religion exist on any of the other planets that sustain life in this never ending universe that god created? | |
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