Is Buddhism a religion?

[Gautami]

Hello Sangha... What do you think? If yes, what makes it so? How do you define "religion"? Are some Buddhist traditions more "religions" than others? What makes it so?

Another question: I have prayer flags hanging over my front door, and someone asked me "what is this?" and I answered "Prayer flags"...
Then she asked "if you don't believe in God, who do you pray to?" Help me with this... what would you answer to a conservative Christian, with approx. 10th grade education... (my understanding would not make any sense to her).

Curious of your responses
with Gassho
G.

[chicanobudista]

Re: Is Buddhism a religion?

Another question: I have prayer flags hanging over my front door, and someone asked me "what is this?" and I answered "Prayer flags"...
Then she asked "if you don't believe in God, who do you pray to?" Help me with this... what would you answer to a conservative Christian, with approx. 10th grade education... (my understanding would not make any sense to her).

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

[Fuken]

Re: Is Buddhism a religion?

The word Religion, at its roots comes from two latin words meaning to bind again, or to bind tightly.

So, I would say simply;if your bound to it, it is a religion.

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

Gassho,
Jordan

[chicanobudista]

Re: Is Buddhism a religion?

The word Religion, at its roots comes from two latin words meaning to bind again, or to bind tightly.

FWIW...this is the Merriam-Webster abridged defition:

Etymology:
Middle English religioun, from Anglo-French religiun, Latin religion-, religio supernatural constraint, sanction, religious practice, perhaps from religare to restrain, tie back — more at rely
Date:
13th century

1 a: the state of a religious b (1): the service and worship of God or the supernatural (2): commitment or devotion to religious faith or observance2: a personal set or institutionalized system of religious attitudes, beliefs, and practices3archaic : scrupulous conformity : conscientiousness4: a cause, principle, or system of beliefs held to with ardor and faith
— re·li·gion·less adjective

[Fuken]

Re: Is Buddhism a religion?

Webster is wrong on this one.

The root of the word "religion" is usually traced to the Latin religare (re: back, and ligare: to bind), so that the term is associated with "being bound." The idea may reflect a concept prominent in biblical literature. Israel was said to be in a "covenant" (berith) relationship with its God (Yahweh). In a sense, the nation was "covenanted" or "bonded" to the deity. But what does being bound or bonded mean? Is a slave who is bound or bonded to his or her master in a "religious" relationship? Is a business agreement which binds partners in a legal covenant a form of "religious" binding? At one time in human history, such "bindings" may have had religious sanction, but today, in America, slavery is outlawed and business contracts are made in legal settings. This particular notion of religion as "binding" doesn't really fit and therefore this interpretation of the root meaning of the term proves not to be particularly helpful.

On the other hand, one might argue that the religious person is one "bound" by choice or by commitment to the tenets of a particular faith system. Once again, the parameters of this definition can be broadened to include any commitment to a particular way of life. Such an expansion would embrace concepts like "philosophy" or "psychology" or even any chosen way of living. One's religion then becomes "how one lives one's life" or "how one lives in the light of a particular commitment" or, in popular vernacular, one's "life style." Obviously, while the term "commitment" may provide some insight into the concept of "being bound," it is far too inclusive to be acceptable.

http://www.teachingaboutreligion.org/Wh ... ligion.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

[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?

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:

[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?

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

[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

[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:

[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.

[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.

[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