Is Buddhism a religion?

[Mensch]

Re: Is Buddhism a religion?

I think of Buddhism as a religion because it has a set of practices that go with the philosophy. There are central tenets and a basic path of practice.

That's why I use to say that economy, science and maybe even sex are basically religions.

Re: Is Buddhism a religion?

I think of Buddhism as a religion because it has a set of practices that go with the philosophy. There are central tenets and a basic path of practice.

Oddly, by this definition, Protestant Christianity is more of a philosophy than a religion - as it has more to do with asserting belief in certain tenets than in any certain practice whereby one can know God.

[Mensch]

Re: Is Buddhism a religion?

Is Buddhism a religion?
Is Pluto a planet?
Is a Toyota RAV4 an offroad vehicle?
Is Europe really a continent?

Who cares – really?
When someone says Buddhism is a religion, I reply: No, it isn’t. When somone says no, I insist it is. Beyond that I never bothered.

Regards,
Mensch

[Hans]

Re: Is Buddhism a religion?

Hello Gautami!

IMHO Buddhism is definitely a religion. If one subtracts the idealized and highly intellectualized mainly western ideas about what Buddhism as a whole is or should be (meaning the last 100 years basically), and if one then turns to the hundreds of millions of practitioners with hundreds of years of continuous tradition who still represent the majority of Buddhists by far, one will find in daily life all the mindsets, rituals, regalia, superstitions etc. to rival any catholic convention.


Gassho, Hans


P.S. Haven't read Mr. Heine's latest essay collection yet, but "Zen Ritual" is supposed to present a certain side of Zen buddhist reality in Japan which couldn't be further from our lovely idealistic notions of "just my zafu and the universe".

[Kanno]

Re: Is Buddhism a religion?

Hmmm... That is truly an interesting question.

The answer (as I would think of it), has been posted earlier. Even so, I'd like to make my voice heard.

It depends on what you think of it. To me, the word "religion" has the same connotation as "faith". Whatever the definition (and those were some very interesting links), if an ideology is based on faith (rather than observation) then it is a religion. If I use that as my marker, then buddhism isn't a religion... At least to me. It focuses on observing the world and yourself (and the lack of boundary between one and the other), rather than believing in a supernatural force.

Thinking of it in another way, if you are faced with the death of a loved one, buddhism would invite you to realize that death is something that simply must happen as a natural part of life. In addition, the teachings would suggest that by "wishing" the person back instead of letting them go, you would be causing yourself more sorrow.

Alternately, Christianity (at least in my experience) would tell you that "they are in a better place now", something which you would simply have to take on faith. Usually, the person involved would also say "it's part of god's plan", again requiring faith in the existence of said god. Now, I am willing to admit that both of these can bring comfort to one who believes. But if you do not, they sound hollow indeed. Most other religions would have similar reactions to the situation (again, in my limited experience).

As for the comment on prayers, I have a story which I rather enjoyed at the time. (Plus I like to tell it.)

My mother (a very devout christian) once asked me "So, you're not christian?"
I responded "No. I am a buddhist."
She was somewhat taken aback and said "So, who do you pray to?"
I was honestly confused for a moment, then replied "You are making a basic assumption which is incorrect."
Mom: "What's that?"
Me: "You are assuming that I pray. I don't."
Mom: "So what are you doing while you're meditating?"
Me: "Ummm... Meditating."

She seemed to think I was being a smartass, and it took some explaining to convince her that it was an honest answer.

In any case, I'll end the wall of text now.

Gassho

-Kanno

[Fuken]

Re: Is Buddhism a religion?

Hello Jordan...

As for prayer, why do I have to pray to something/someone? I pray to reaffirm my own intention.
Gassho,
Jordan

Actually she was responding to the popular name of Tibetan "Prayer Flags"... a pieces of cloth with printed Tibetan "prayers", to be strung outdoors, usually between stupas, privately in gardens and between trees. They are beautiful and a complement to Tibethan "Prayer wheels"... Yes, Tibethan Buddhism use prayers, although I can not relate to the practice. To me they are more one of the symbols of generally Buddhist traditions I love.

I like the flags too, I think to me they represent an intention too :wink:

Gassho,
Jordan

[Gautami]

Re: Is Buddhism a religion?

Hello Jordan...

As for prayer, why do I have to pray to something/someone? I pray to reaffirm my own intention.
Gassho,
Jordan

Actually she was responding to the popular name of Tibetan "Prayer Flags"... a pieces of cloth with printed Tibetan "prayers", to be strung outdoors, usually between stupas, privately in gardens and between trees. They are beautiful and a complement to Tibethan "Prayer wheels"... Yes, Tibethan Buddhism use prayers, although I can not relate to the practice. To me they are more one of the symbols of generally Buddhist traditions I love.

[Gautami]

Re: Is Buddhism a religion?

chicanobudista... hi...

[/quote]
I would answer with my reason for puttin' it up. Curious, what's your reason?[/quote]

My reason for puting up prayer flags is the same as having Buddha's picture and a statue in the house. It reminds me about the path and practice, it gives me comfort of being grounded in the Buddha's teaching. It brings a sense and feeling of peace and beauty.

Her question was "Who do you pray to if you don't believe in God (and these are 'prayer flags' " ... it stopped me in my tracks for a minute...

My answer, actually, was "I don't pray to somebody for something. I pray by turning my thoughts to the source of guidance and comfort, which is, to me, Buddha's teaching"

Thanks with Gassho
G.

[chicanobudista]

Re: Is Buddhism a religion?

Sorry I got a little carried away, :wink: I actually think that weather or not it is a religion in the eye of the individual.

For me it is a religion and not a religion. Go figure :?:

Gassho,
Jordan

On the contrary, the links you gave us were pretty good in giving a perspective in how defining "religion" can get dicey.

I have met some folks, though, that came from a very fundamentalist Xtian background and now are exploring Buddhism. From my experience, they are a bit hesitant from calling it a religion. I think it makes them feel like they have fallen from the wagon. :wink:

[Fuken]

Re: Is Buddhism a religion?

Webster is wrong on this one.

:shock: Whhhhat!

Not Merriam!
Not Webster!

:mrgreen:


FWIW, I do think Buddhism is a religion. But. That in itself does not tell us much beyond trying to putting a label on a label.

Sorry I got a little carried away, :wink: I actually think that weather or not it is a religion in the eye of the individual.

For me it is a religion and not a religion. Go figure :?:

Gassho,
Jordan

[Fuken]

Re: Is Buddhism a religion?

cant cut and paste this one

http://books.google.com/booksid=vOzNo4MVlgMC&pg=PA193&lpg=PA193&dq=the+latin+root+of+the+word+religion&source=web&ots=6xI3s61A8r&sig=T4nDjF_sqwC7x3eB8Rvw-djQ5Ic&hl=en&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=2&ct=result

[chicanobudista]

Re: Is Buddhism a religion?

Webster is wrong on this one.

:shock: Whhhhat!

Not Merriam!
Not Webster!

:mrgreen:


FWIW, I do think Buddhism is a religion. But. That in itself does not tell us much beyond trying to putting a label on a label.

[Fuken]

Re: Is Buddhism a religion?

I like this one:

The first set of words are related to the word that is the basis of the word “religion”. This word is
the Latin word “religare”, which means to tie up, to unite, to bind together. The second set of
words are related to the word that is the basis of the antonym of the word “religion”. This word is
the Latin word “scindere”, which means to cut, to split, to tear apart, to divide, to separate.

http://hmct.dk/religion-antonym.pdf

:wink:

[Fuken]

Re: Is Buddhism a religion?

More fun

The word religion is derived from Latin "religio" (what attaches or retains, moral bond, anxiety of self-consciousness, scruple) used by the Romans, before Jesus Christ, to indicate the worship of the demons.
The origin of "religio" is debated since antiquity. Cicero said it comes from "relegere" (to read again, to re-examine carefully, to gather) in the meaning "to carefully consider the things related to the worship of gods".
Later, Lucretius, Lactancius and Tertullianus see its origin in "religare" (to connect) to refer "the bond of piety that binds to God".
Initially used for Christianity, the use of the word religion gradually extended to all the forms of social demonstration in connection with sacred

http://atheisme.free.fr/Religion/What-is-religion-1.htm.

[Fuken]

Re: Is Buddhism a religion?

Another interesting one

http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Discuss:What_is_the_root_meaning_of_the_word_Religion

Gassho,
Jordan