Religion or Philosophy or Way of Life

MindGate

Is Buddhism a religion, philosophy, way of life, or something else?

zenff

It is liberation.

MindGate

Can people give me a more practical answer? I'm tired of all these answers which twist the original OP and give unpractical answers. Everyone does that in my threads. Fuck.

FOR EXAMPLE:

Guy: "Hey, Jarred, what is your religion?"
Me: "Oh, I don't have one."
Guy: "But I thought you were a Buddhist."
Me: "No, thats liberation, not a religion, a way of seeing things, a way of life, or anything of the sort."
Guy: "What the hell?"

SEE? Just doesn't work.

Wednesday

Buddhism can be seen as a religion. I prefer to see it as more psychological. It has philosophy and even more,a chosen way of life.

Sabre

All of those, but it is not a belief like most other religions.

SeMich

I think that we treat Buddhism as a religion in the West. But it is difficult to speak of even "Western Buddhism," because quite apart from the influence of the various schools there is a sharp division on some metaphysical matters between liberals and traditionalists, and of course an ethnic division. Just from what I see, at any rate, when matters like rebirth, kamma or materialism and reductionism are at issue, or when you look at who attends various temples. Of course, I do not think that those matters are relevant to the practice itself, and we need to remember that our own taxonomy (philsophy, religion, diet, exercise as distinct matters) reflects our own cultural baggage, not the Vedic context where dharma practice developed. Nor are the ethnic divisions unique to Buddhism and much of it is explained by language barriers as opposed to doctrinal ones.

So it has aspects of all of these things; religion, lifestyle and philosophy. It is highly syncretic and adaptable. I just don't think that we can superimpose our expectations onto a practice like the one that we have chosen. It is what it is.

Epicurus

It all depends on what you consider to be a religion, now doesn't it? As far as most ignoramus are concerned it's a religion, because it's been labelled as such for long enough and by a sufficient number of people.

ShiftPlusOne

For me, it's more along the lines of:

Guy: "Hey, (name here), what is your religion?"
Me: "Don't have one."
Guy: "But I thought you were a Buddhist."
Me: "Ok"
Guy: "What?"
Me: "If my actions tell you that I am a Buddhist, then so be it."
Guy: "What are you on about?"
Me: "Why must everything be labelled and categorised?"
Guy: "...huh? Forget it."


The answer is personal, but when you're speaking to other people, you have to speak their language. To someone who's not into Buddhism, it is just another religion, so you might as well say that. If they ask what it entails, you can talk about the four noble truths. You don't have to force your labels on other people, so go along with theirs.

compassionate_warrior

For Easterners, it's a religion, and has all the trappings of a religion; temples, monasteries, ritual, and many followers pray to the Buddha as to a god. For many Westerners, it's a philosophy or psychology, and has few, if any, of the trappings of religion. Many sanghas are located in people's homes rather than temples. Some Western practitioners never see a monastic, only lay teachers. Some followers practice on their own at home, and study from books. I think this has a lot to do with why they perceive Buddhism in a more secular way, as a philosophy or psychology.

Cloud

Buddhism is many things to many people.

Some people use it just like other religions as stories to believe in, and so Buddhism can be a "religion". They believe in all the realms of existence, in literal rebirth, but may not be particularly interested in liberation. They do follow the precepts and "make merit" for a better rebirth. They may believe in these things and combine them with beliefs from other religions.

Some people use it as a tool or method of liberation, as I believe the Buddha meant it to be. They pick it up for as long as they need it, walk the Path and exert the right effort in purifying their minds, and then let it go when they're done with it.

Some people view it as a philosophy, a way of looking at life and describing our reality, that doesn't rely on the commands of a God/god(s) but is reasonable and logical based on observation. They may be atheists, they may or may not seek to become "enlightened". They're all for non-violence and compassion.

Some view it as a science of the mind, a psychology, describing how the human mind develops due to conditions and conscious choices that we make.

Usually it's some combination of the above, but it doesn't have to be any of those in particular. Really how you view it and what you call it is up to you, but what you do with it has the greatest potential!

Talisman

What is Buddhism for you?

patbb

a method to develop skills in order to be able observe the true nature of reality.

turn out that it also happen to transform your mind, end suffering and the way you relate to your reality.

also noticeable side effect is to make you behave differently (peacefully).

federica

Buddhism is often seen as both.
I personally see it as a philosophical religion.
Philosophical, because the object of the exercise is to tame the Mind and all its distractions, and religion, because - well, try telling all the countless monks and nuns worldwide, practising in temples and monasteries, that Buddhism ISN'T a religion....

The definition of religion, according to the Greater Oxford online dictionary, is:

Pronunciation:/rɪˈlɪdʒ(ə)n/
noun
[mass noun]
the belief in and worship of a superhuman controlling power , especially a personal God or gods:ideas about the relationship between science and religion

[count noun] a particular system of faith and worship:
the world's great religions

[count noun] a pursuit or interest followed with great devotion:
consumerism is the new religion

Particularly items 2 & 3.....

taiyaki

Buddhism in the zen tradition is simple. Pointing to your true nature.

formermonkJohn

obviously all three OP its a religion, a belief system, a philosophy, a way of life, even a political manifesto IMHO that dwarfs carl marx

And it is a belief, i just visited the temple and asked a lay temple elder what was the most important thing to teach of the buddha, he stated simply"belief, to beleive in buddhas is the most important thing because then you follow his way" without belief you tend not to follow

cranreuch

I'm tired of all these answers which twist the original OP and give unpractical answers. Everyone does that in my threads. Fuck.

I feel your pain MG.

There is a slight difficulty though with the terms. "Religion", "philosophy" and "way of life" aren't exactly precisely defined. And that's notwithstanding attempts to get a dictionary definition from somewhere and wagging it in our face. Words mean what we use them to mean. "Gay" now means something different from what it used to mean.

Take "religion". If we could easily say that religion involved belief in one or more deities, we could knock that off the list quickly. But "religion" means whatever people mean when they use the word, and most people would allow for non-theistic religions.

Also, the terms overlap. Is Christianity a religion? Yes. Is it a way of life? Yes.

So what is it you're really asking? For example, do you have an idea as to the essential differences between the three terms? What are they? That would help do the conceptual analysis required to answer your question.

C.

MindGate

I'm tired of all these answers which twist the original OP and give unpractical answers. Everyone does that in my threads. Fuck.

I feel your pain MG.

There is a slight difficulty though with the terms. "Religion", "philosophy" and "way of life" aren't exactly precisely defined. And that's notwithstanding attempts to get a dictionary definition from somewhere and wagging it in our face. Words mean what we use them to mean. "Gay" now means something different from what it used to mean.

Take "religion". If we could easily say that religion involved belief in one or more deities, we could knock that off the list quickly. But "religion" means whatever people mean when they use the word, and most people would allow for non-theistic religions.

Also, the terms overlap. Is Christianity a religion? Yes. Is it a way of life? Yes.

So what is it you're really asking? For example, do you have an idea as to the essential differences between the three terms? What are they? That would help do the conceptual analysis required to answer your question.

C.

I know theres many definitions for each word: I am asking what you guys consider it to be and would call it when using it in a conversation.

cranreuch

I know theres many definitions for each word: I am asking what you guys consider it to be and would call it when using it in a conversation.

Ah OK. You didn't originally say you were looking for that. So, if someone asked me in a conversation: "Is Buddhism a religion, philosophy, way of life, or something else?"

I'd reply: "[shrug] Depends what you mean by those words"

Sorry. Don't know what else to tell ye! :-/

compassionate_warrior

Can people give me a more practical answer? I'm tired of all these answers which twist the original OP and give unpractical answers. Everyone does that in my threads. Fuck.

FOR EXAMPLE:

Guy: "Hey, Jarred, what is your religion?"
Me: "Oh, I don't have one."
Guy: "But I thought you were a Buddhist."
Me: "No, thats liberation, not a religion, a way of seeing things, a way of life, or anything of the sort."
Guy: "What the hell?"

SEE? Just doesn't work.

But MG, this works! See, it makes people think--it throws them off balance and makes 'em scratch their head and think. (And if they're not up to making the effort, then they're not worth your worrying about how to communicate with them.) Like Roger tells people, it's not a religion, the Buddha was "just a guy" (unlike Jesus, believed to be the son of God), who figured out some stuff and taught people how to be happy. Anyway, I see it as a method to leave your neuroses behind (liberation), and be happy. (Psychology) If you want to get heavier, you can say it's a method for realizing the true nature of reality (very cryptic--that'll really make 'em scratch their heads :scratch: ) Do YOU think it's a religion? If not, then tell people it isn't. On the very rare occasion people ask me, I tell them I'm not religious.

vinlyn

Is Buddhism a religion, philosophy, way of life, or something else?

My answer would be "yes". And I'm not being a smart ass.

Early on, after becoming interested in Buddhism, I asked a Thai Buddhist monk almost exactly the same question you asked. He told me that while it is a philosophy, it is often practiced as a religion. And, that I could remain a Christian while also believing in some or all of Buddhist doctrine. And, in some ways, I practice it as a way of life (for example, I always try to be mindful of why and how I am doing something).

I like Federica's definition of it as "a philosophical religion".

But above all, it is -- to some extent -- a question of semantics.

MindGate

Gnostic Christians are very much like Buddhists (just wanted to add that in there(.

compassionate_warrior

Gnostic Christians are very much like Buddhists (just wanted to add that in there(.

yes, I think they're pretty cool.

Cloud

"A path to awakening to reality" if you want to know what I'd call it.

Disney

It is encompassing and yet is emptiness bliss as well :thumbsup:

Daozen

If i was asked which it was, i'd say "All of the above". Because for different people at diferrent times, it is/has been/will be all of these.

Personally, none of the above quite feel right for one reason or another. But that's OK.

Namaste

IronRabbit

Is Buddhism a religion, philosophy, way of life, or something else?

Something else....a way to die....

Cloud

...while still being alive.

TreeLuvr87

Sorry to repeat what others have said above, but it's whatever it looks like in YOUR life at any given time. Which changes often.

I consider Buddhism to be a path, a way of life. It's my way of taking care of my little piece of the spirit that runs through all of us, Buddha Nature.

Found this pretty cool quote yesterday: “Religion is for people who believe they are going to hell. Spirituality is for those who have already been there.” ~ Joe Keyes

Cloud

Beautiful quote @TreeLuvr87, will have to remember that one. *bows*

Vincenzi

a religion if you take refugee in the Triple Gem, a philosophy if you don't.
both religions and philosophies are way of life.

zenff

Mindgate said: "I am asking what you guys consider it to be and would call it when using it in a conversation."

You seem to wonder what to tell people if they ask you “what is Buddhism”, and not to ask the question for yourself.
Well, what is best to say to a person depends.

The Buddha supposedly knew the right approach to each person.
(And I for one have demonstrated not to have the same ability!)

My guess is that sometimes it is good to give an answer that is in line with expectations, but at other occasions it is be better to take those expectations away.
All of this in the pursuit and the spreading of "liberation". Sorry, but that’s the best word I can find for it.

So if a person wants to hear that Buddhism is a religion, tell them it’s the ultimate religion (or say that religion is opium for the people).
If a person wants to hear that Buddhism is a way of life, tell them it’s the ultimate way of life (or say that they can do whatever they want because it has nothing to do with it).
And if someone wants to hear that Buddhism is a philosophy, tell them it is the ultimate philosophy (or say that philosophy is a mind-fucking ego-trip that has nothing to do with it).

And what is the truth?
I really don’t know.

still_learning

For me, it's more along the lines of:

Guy: "Hey, (name here), what is your religion?"
Me: "Don't have one."
Guy: "But I thought you were a Buddhist."
Me: "Ok"
Guy: "What?"
Me: "If my actions tell you that I am a Buddhist, then so be it."
Guy: "What are you on about?"
Me: "Why must everything be labelled and categorised?"
Guy: "...huh? Forget it."


The answer is personal, but when you're speaking to other people, you have to speak their language. To someone who's not into Buddhism, it is just another religion, so you might as well say that. If they ask what it entails, you can talk about the four noble truths. You don't have to force your labels on other people, so go along with theirs.

I agree with you ShiftPlusOne. If it's somebody who's probably not listening to you anyway (I'm assuming), don't bother putting that much effort into explaining what buddhism really is. It is important to speak their language. Don't wanna drag out a quick question-and-answer into a long discussion where he wouldn't understand you at all and you've both wasted time. There's no need to reveal your complete self to everyone.

hermitwin

Buddhism is a religion, philosophy n way of life.

taiyaki

to the buddha it is an existential realization.

for the dogmatic buddhist it is a religion.

for the intellectual it is a philosophy.

federica

a religion if you take refugee in the Triple Gem, a philosophy if you don't.
both religions and philosophies are way of life.

Vincenzi, just to help....
'Refuge' is what you take.
'Refugee' is the person who does it...

A Refugee takes Refuge.....