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People always quote only part of the Kalama Sutta and take it out of context. The Buddha went on to affirm the existence of the afterlife in the form of a wager (which two MilenaIAater would be set forth again by Pascal who didn't know the Buddha had done it first):
Having discussed with the Kalamas those things that can be known directly for themselves in this lifetime, the Buddha then begins a discussion of the four assurances, which do touch upon the possibility of rewards and punishments in the afterlife; but even here the appeal is made to common sense and not to blind faith.
?When, Kalamas, this noble disciple has thus made his mind free of enmity, free of ill will, uncorrupted and pure, he has won four assurances in this very life.
?The first assurance he has won is this: ?If there is another world, and if good and bad deeds bear fruit and yield results, it is possible that with the breakup of the body, after death, I shall arise in a good destination, in a heavenly world.?
?The second assurance he has won is this: ?If there is no other world, and if good and bad deeds do not bear fruit and yield results, still right here, in this very life, I live happily, free of enmity and ill will.?
?The third assurance he has won is this: ?Suppose evil befalls the evil-doer. Then, as I do not intend evil for anyone, how can suffering afflict me, one who does no evil deed??
?The fourth assurance he has won is this: ?Suppose evil does not befall the evil-doer. Then right here I see myself purified in both respects.? [In that he does no evil and no evil will befall him.]
?When, Kalamas, this noble disciple has thus made his mind free of enmity, free of ill will, uncorrupted and pure, he has won these four assurances in this very life. (Numerical Discourses of the Buddha, p. 67)
The Kalamas were very impressed with this reasoning and immediately expressed their agreement and delight at having their confusion cleared up. They then took refuge in the three jewels and became lay-disciples of the Buddha.
The whole article is here:
http://fraughtwithperil.com/ryuei/2010/06/19/the-buddha?s-wager-concerning-the-afterlife/
The other articles dealing with whether Buddhism is a religion or philosophy in a Western sense can be found here:
http://fraughtwithperil.com/ryuei/what-is-the-buddha-dharma/
The Buddha believed in the Vedic deities and the heavens and hells of the six paths of rebirth and all the rest. This was not added on later, it can be found throughout the Pali Canon. However, he did teach that it does no good to believe in all this if you don't verify things for yourself through meditation and direct experience, and taking care of your life here and now. It's only second-hand knowledge that may or may not be true until you know for yourself. That was the intention of his teaching to the Kalamas about not going by authority or revealed scriptures or tradition. He was not advocating atheism or agnosticism or rationalism. He was advocating that one practice and see for oneself.
If you want to set aside the teachings on karma and rebirth and the six paths (or worlds) of rebirth or only take them as metaphors and just focus on the eightfold path here and now, that would be in line with what the Buddha was telling the Kalamas. If you sincerely follow the eightfold path you'll find out for yourself how things are. Does it really matter if its "philosophy" or "religion"? What difference does it make how you or others want to label it? The important thing is to really practice and really find out for yourself.
Namu Myoho Renge Kyo,
Ryuei
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Real Buddhist should follow the Buddhism as philosophy?
