would you personally consider Buddhism a religion or a life style?

i think it's more of a life style
i don't want to know what your friends think or their friends and i don't want more info on the subject.
I've already studied it i just want to know your opinion
JUST YOUR OPINION

It depends on how the particular Buddhist in question considers it.

Most of the Buddhists I know consider it their religion--not my place to tell them they are wrong.


Edit: See? What Sassy said....


(((Sassy)))

Edit: And like I said, my opinion is that it's not for me (or you) to decide whether someones religion is "really" a religion.

its really more of a lifestyle, like satanism

I'm looking at my answers low rating and it shows me that most people don't even know what satanism really is, look it up, you-ll be surprised that its not about Halloween and goblins or devil worship like everyone thinks.

relic but CHOOSE JESUS!!

There are millions of religious Buddhists and I imagine that most of them consider it to be a religion.

And there are just as many millions of non-Buddhists who consider it to be a philosophy, or in your words, a lifestyle.

<edit> I personally practice it as a religion. Before I began doing so I was more or less a philosophical Buddhist.


And what Magpie said =)

((((Magpie))))

it is a religion which does not discuss the existence of god.

Every eastern religion is way of life because they are natural.

Their aim is not to COLLECT GREAT POPULATION OF BRINWASHED Rather their aims are to free humanity from religions.

Concept of religion is far different in east its way of life here.
HOW CAN A PERSON LIVING IN MONSOON REGION FOLLOW RELIGION OF DESSERTS?!!

ISNT CONVERSIONS FOOLISH.!!

Can you reason why religions like Hinduism and Buddhism did not reached to desserts and cold countries?!
Simple because Hinduism and Buddhism give firm voice on observing Good habits like bathing twice in a day not eating flesh etc. Such hard RULES OF LIVING CANT BE SATISFIED BY People living in frost and desserts.
So they remained within monsoon regions.

WHY WE ARE CALLING NOW A DAYS BUDDHISM IS RELIGION BECAUSE OF WESTERN SUPERIORITY . IT IS SIMILAR TO THAT YOU CANT LIVE ON EARTH WITHOUT BELONGING TO ATLEST ONE NATIONALITY.
So if they say its religion we have to accept their view because system is theirs..

Most Westerners do not really
know Buddhism in depth.

It IS a religion.

It consists of many beliefs,
practices and rituals that
are far more religious than
I think many are aware of.

In fact, most of the people
I know aren't even aware
that Buddhism has many
gods - although they are
more like guides, they
do exist.

I've even answered questions
here where people have
been under the impression
that Buddhists do not
pray - but only meditate.
This is quite incorrect.

So, as I've said - yes, it IS
a religion.

>>> Well then, my OPINION is that it
IS A RELIGION. DOES USING CAPS
MAKE ANY DIFFERENCE?

I DON'T BELIEVE YOU'VE STUDIED IT.
I THINK YOU JUST WANT TO VALIDATE
YOUR OPINION.

I agree with Bharat Swabhimaan

Eastern religions are more like way of life than a religion

I would suggest you consider this story, it has an answer to your question

A Brahman called Dona encountered the Buddha shortly after his enlightenment and, struck by the Buddha?s serenity, asked him:
?Sir, are you a god??
?No, Brahman.?
?Are you an angel??
?No, Brahman.?
?Are you a Sakha?
?No, Brahman.?
?Are you a human being??
?No, Brahman.?
?When asked, ?Are you a god?? you answer, ?No, Brahman?? When asked, ?Are you an angel?? you answer, ?No, Brahman..? When asked, ?Are you a Sakha?? you answer, ?No, Brahman?? When asked, ?Are you a human being?? you answer, ?No, Brahman?? Then what sort of being are you??
?Brahman, the defilements by which ? if they were not abandoned ? I would be a god: those are abandoned by me, their root destroyed, made like a palm tree stump, no longer subject to future arising. The defilements by which ? if they were not abandoned ? I would be an angel? a yakkha? a human being: those are abandoned by me, their root destroyed, made like a palm tree stump, no longer subject to future arising.
?Just as a blue or red or white lotus born in water, grows in water and stands up above the water untouched by it, so too I, who was born in the world and grew up in the world, have transcended the world, and I live untouched by the world. Remember me, brahman, as a Buddha.?



PS. So who do you think Buddha is: Human, God, Angel, etc.? After answering this question, the question "What Buddhism is" should not take you long to answer
PPS. My opinion: Buddhism is lifestyle, religion...everything actually and at the same time nothing.

Hi Sam,

Yes, I would have to agree with you that it is a lifestyle!

There are so many sects of Buddhism that is why it is usually defined as a religion. As Buddhism spread throughout the world people of different belief systems accepted the Buddha's teachings and integrated with their own religions.

There are even some sects that do revere the Buddha as a god-type figure, but this doesn't seem to be what the Buddha intended.

The Buddha, himself, described his teaching as a "system of training" designed to help alleviate the suffering in the world. He also used the analogy of "a finger pointing to the moon" to describe his system of training. In religion, people most often enshrine the finger - making it the most important thing. The Buddha wanted us to see the truth to which he pointed and not to waste time worshiping the pointer.



Thank you for your question!

Well, I'm a Buddhist and actually, I don't really care whether is Buddhism a religion or philosophy.
I just live my life by it and things go on smoothly. So why bother?