Buddhism

white_wolf

(6,257 posts) Sat Dec 1, 2012, 06:07 PM Dec 2012

Do you view Buddhism as a religion or a philosophy? [View all]

I would be interested to hear what DU thinks of this issue. Whether you practice it as a religion or philosophy doesn't matter to me I would just like to hear opinions on this matter. Even if you don't practice, I'd still like to hear your view. For the philosophy side we have the fact that the 4 Noble Truths and 8-Fold Path are devoid of any supernatural elements. We also have the fact that Buddhism is atheistic or at the very least agnostic and that the Buddha discouraged blind faith. Faith is important, but it's a faith that begins with doubts and is confirmed through practice.

For the religious side we have the doctrines of Karma and rebirth. Now Karma could be viewed as a purely natural phenomena, as in if I'm a jerk people will be a jerk to me back or at least not like me. Rebirth is a bit harder to justify, but I suppose it is possible. Beyond that, there is the issue that several branches of Mahayana Buddhism have a very faith "deity" centered approach. Pureland springs to mind.

Either way, I'd love to hear opinions on this issue.

41 replies

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Do you view Buddhism as a religion or a philosophy? [View all] white_wolf Dec 2012 OP

Philosophy Of Life - Not Religion cantbeserious Dec 2012 #1

Buddhism is accepted and practiced as both throughout the world randr Dec 2012 #2

depends on the sect mzteris Dec 2012 #3

I don't know of any that worship Buddha white_wolf Dec 2012 #4

but the "worship" mzteris Dec 2012 #7

Religion. bananas Dec 2012 #5

Don't forget the monks, monasteries, temples, rituals, etc bananas Dec 2012 #6

i am really facinated at the really serious misconceptions about Buddhism. rabid_byter Feb 2013 #21

Is there a difference between the two? ellisonz Dec 2012 #8

I think so. white_wolf Dec 2012 #9

Many would argue that this is a distinction without a difference... ellisonz Dec 2012 #10

Many Buddhists are atheists obamanut2012 Dec 2012 #18

to paraphrase Bill Clinton - who now visits Buddhist temples in NYC, fairly regularly .... marasinghe Dec 2012 #11

Buddhism is both a religion and a philosophy! WanderingYogini Dec 2012 #12

Welcome to DU and I hope you enjoy the site. hrmjustin Dec 2012 #13

On a tangent, sort of, I view religion as distinct from spirituality in that religion is organized byeya Dec 2012 #14

There are variants depending on tradition. Some seems like religion mmonk Dec 2012 #15

I think... SoapBox Dec 2012 #16

Ethical path obamanut2012 Dec 2012 #17

For me it's all in how one responds to doctrine. GliderGuider Dec 2012 #19

actually Buddhism is a 'Psychology'. rabid_byter Feb 2013 #20

I never thought about it from the angle of Psychology, but it makes sense. white_wolf Feb 2013 #22

I view it as spiritual, value-based psychology JudyM Mar 2013 #31

I think the Buddha would say that it is a path leftyladyfrommo Mar 2013 #23

You said it well libodem Mar 2013 #24

It is so flexible Newest Reality Mar 2013 #25

I believe Buddhism is a religion for several reasons. ZombieHorde Mar 2013 #26

I think the Dalai Lama called himself a Compassionate Agnostic. leftyladyfrommo Mar 2013 #27

Sure, but none of that means Buddhism is not a religion. nt ZombieHorde Mar 2013 #28

Depends on your definition of religion. leftyladyfrommo Mar 2013 #29

I think of religion as supernatural answers to life's "big" philosophical questions. ZombieHorde Mar 2013 #30

I've been reading the Delai Lama book on Anger leftyladyfrommo Mar 2013 #32

Although reincarnation is not worshipped, belief in reincarnation is belief in the supernatural. Pterodactyl Apr 2013 #35

I guess I don't spend a lot of time thinking about what it is. liberal_at_heart Mar 2013 #33

In my view, it is a religion. Pterodactyl Apr 2013 #34

I think most people refer to it as a religion. leftyladyfrommo Apr 2013 #36

Yes. grantcart Apr 2013 #37

Philosophy Of Life just like AsahinaKimi Jun 2013 #38

Religion, at least in Asia. M.G. Oct 2013 #39

either, both, and more. MasonDreams Oct 2015 #40

Philosophy and psychology vlyons Oct 2015 #41