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    pmh383388's Avatar
    pmh383388 Posts: 58, Reputation: 2
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    #1

    Aug 8, 2007, 11:52 PM
    Is Buddhism a religion ?
    Some friends say Buddhism is not a religion, it is a philosophy, it is a way of life. What's your
    Point of view ?
    Fr_Chuck's Avatar
    Fr_Chuck Posts: 81,301, Reputation: 7692
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    #2

    Aug 9, 2007, 06:51 AM
    A religion should be a way of life,
    ashley19's Avatar
    ashley19 Posts: 69, Reputation: 6
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    #3

    Aug 9, 2007, 07:17 AM
    Yes Buddhism is a religion its also a way of life and a philosophy as are all religions
    macksmom's Avatar
    macksmom Posts: 1,787, Reputation: 152
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    #4

    Aug 9, 2007, 07:34 AM
    Yes it is a religion... the reason most people think it's not is because Buddhism does not fit the usual definition of a religion... it does not recongnize a "supreme creator". Most people say Buddhism is a philosophy, or way of life, because we focus on forming the mind, focusing on the self, for the ultimate goal of enlightenment, not for a "supreme being". But it is a religion, as any formed set of beliefs is, it just varies in beliefs as all other religions do.
    nicespringgirl's Avatar
    nicespringgirl Posts: 1,237, Reputation: 187
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    #5

    Aug 9, 2007, 08:05 AM
    Does it matter if you are interested in what it teaches you?
    Gautama Buddha was the founder of what we know as Buddhism, a spiritual tradition that is recognized throughout the world as one of compassion, peace, and understanding.
    He is not considered a "GOD".
    Thomas1970's Avatar
    Thomas1970 Posts: 856, Reputation: 131
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    #6

    Aug 9, 2007, 08:55 AM
    Though Buddhism has acquired many religious trappings over the centuries -- implements and rituals -- it was never expounded as such by Gautama Buddha. Neither did he consider his teachings a "philosophy" of sorts. They are most accurately described by practitioners as "skillful means" or a unity of "wisdom" and "emptiness."
    The best analogy often used is that of a raft to cross a swift-flowing river. The teachings are a vehicle to ferry us to the far shore of enlightenment -- a state beyond dualistic conceptions. Once we reach that shore, we send the raft back for the benefit of others, as only a fool would continue on with the raft tied to his back. Upon attaining enlightenment, we no longer need the benefit of words as our guide. We have perfection of wisdom, something Buddhism believes is already at the core of every being, simply obscured by our false comprehensions and limited views.
    There is also a very apt Zen parable about a devout meditator. One day his teacher took a seat in front of him and began polishing a floor tile. Distracted by the seeming absurdity of the act, the student broke his focus to inquire of the master's act. The master stated he was attempting to make a mirror. Outraged the student said, "You can't make a mirror by polishing a tile!" His teacher replied, "You can't become a Buddha through meditation!"
    The point of this story is, that as long as we have strong attachment to anything, be it concepts, teachings or methods, enlightenment is scarcely possible. The myriad methods of Buddhism are meant to be treated as reverential signposts along a guided path.
    nicespringgirl's Avatar
    nicespringgirl Posts: 1,237, Reputation: 187
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    #7

    Aug 9, 2007, 09:19 AM
    I prefer to call it "wisdom".:D
    Athos's Avatar
    Athos Posts: 1,108, Reputation: 55
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    #8

    Aug 14, 2007, 10:36 PM
    Buddhism is not a religion in the generally accepted sense of the word. It is a psychology - a way of looking at or understanding life. Some Buddhism, over the years, has degenerated into a kind of religion, but original Buddhism grappled with the difficulties of ordinary life and never claimed a 'god".

    Of course, much depends on your definition of "religion". All religions are psychologies, but not all psychologies are religions.
    ubharedev's Avatar
    ubharedev Posts: 134, Reputation: 1
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    #9

    Dec 22, 2008, 03:08 AM

    Buddhism is a religion for other people than Buddhist.

    It is a Dhamma for Buddhist.

    Dhamma means path to attain Nirvana.

    And religion means Dharma which has another definition.

    Please read "Buddha and his Dhamma" by Dr. B.R.Ambedkar

    Thank you.
    Choux's Avatar
    Choux Posts: 3,047, Reputation: 376
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    #10

    Dec 22, 2008, 12:30 PM

    Buddhism is considered one of the great religions of the world; however, many Buddhists consider it a religion without a God.

    Buddhism is a Path. A Path for a person to take through life toward Enlightenment or Wisdom.
    ubharedev's Avatar
    ubharedev Posts: 134, Reputation: 1
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    #11

    Dec 22, 2008, 09:52 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by Choux View Post
    Buddhism is considered one of the great religions of the world; however, many Buddhists consider it a religion without a God.

    Buddhism is a Path. A Path for a person to take through life toward Enlightenment or Wisdom.
    Your are right dear,

    But it shows the real aim of the life. The life of peace, kindness and love to all. That everybody want.

    Since God is virtual entity. That is created by human for human. Where the human mind is stopped thinking and can't find answer they all leave it to God.

    We are praising God from thousand of decades but nobody has ever seen it. Faith and feeling are live water where you dig the canal they take that path. So if you feel and keep faith on God you will feel like that.

    If someone in your family near/dear one passed away, and if we feel that they are near to us we feel they are near to us.

    That is what the mystery of MIND.

    One thing that nobody notice about Buddhism is that it teaches to take full control of mind so that your desire, evils, bad intention never entered your mind. That nobody emphasis on this. Where today almost every leading writer on personality development saying the same thing to take control of mind.
    Example: The Monk who sold his Ferrari by Robin Sharma

    This is only the one example many are there.

    It is the religion that satisfy the need of today and future need of religion.

    Most of the techniques that uses today to personal/personality/yoga/meditation/peace is from origin of Buddhism. You will find more resemblance among them.

    Namaskar

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