Originally posted by FabianFnasIt is not a religion! You can be a Buddhist and be an atheist or to have not a specific religion, no matter if that religion is monotheistic or polytheistic. There are Buddists that are good Christians etc, there are Buddhists that they follow religions related with supernatural axioms, there are Buddhists that their approach is dualistic or non dualistic.
Buddhism is a religion, allright.
However, they have no god in standard Buddhism, as Buddha is not a god.
There is not such a thing as "standard Buddhism"!
Originally posted by black beetleBe a Buddhist or 'do Buddhism'?
It is not a religion! You can be a Buddhist and be an atheist or to have not a specific religion, no matter if that religion is monotheistic or polytheistic. There are Buddists that are good Christians etc, there are Buddhists that they follow religions related with supernatural axioms, there are Buddhists that their approach is dualistic or non dualistic.
There is not such a thing as "standard Buddhism"!
Originally posted by black beetleThis is a quote from Wikipedia:
It is not a religion! You can be a Buddhist and be an atheist or to have not a specific religion, no matter if that religion is monotheistic or polytheistic. There are Buddists that are good Christians etc, there are Buddhists that they follow religions related with supernatural axioms, there are Buddhists that their approach is dualistic or non dualistic.
There is not such a thing as "standard Buddhism"!
# Religion Number of Adherents
1 Christianity 1.9 billion
2 Islam 1.1 billion
3 Hinduism 781 million
4 Buddhism 324 million
5 Sikhism 19 million
6 Judaism 14 million
7 Bahá'í Faith 6.1 million
8 Confucianism 5.3 million
9 Jainism 4.9 million
10 Shinto 2.8 million
Saying that Buddhism is the fourth largest religionn in the world. Religion.
By "Standard Buddhism" I mean core Buddhism. The part of Buddhism that all Buddhists share.
Buddhism is an atheistic religion.
Originally posted by Bosse de NageWell, I have my own definition of a religion. Using this definition theism, Buddhism (I don't know much about Confucianism) and other standard religions but also astrology and defaitism together with other things fall within.
By some definitions, neither Buddhism nor Confucianism are religions.
What definition do you use?
Other things that is usually part of religion fall outside.
Tha main part of the definition is about believing in supranatural phenomenon, but a bit more complicated than that.
Nirvana and reincarnation are important phenomena in Buddhism, they are supernatural, therefore Buddhism is a religion.
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Originally posted by FabianFnasIt would seem that not all Buddhists agree on that.
Nirvana and reincarnation are important phenomena in Buddhism, they are supernatural, therefore Buddhism is a religion.
"What Reincarnation is Not
Reincarnation is not a simple physical birth of a person; for instance, John being reborn as a cat in the next life. In this case John possesses an immortal soul which transforms to the form of a cat after his death. This cycle is repeated over and over again. Or if he is lucky, he will be reborn as a human being. This notion of the transmigration of the soul definitely does not exist in Buddhism."
http://www.buddhanet.net/e-learning/reincarnation.htm
Speaking of what all Buddhists presumably have in common, "Although Buddhism has a vast number of scriptures and practices, the fundamental core of Buddhism, the Four Noble Truths and the Noble Eightfold Path, are distinguished in the world of religion for not having any mention of God(s) or any notion of worship of any deity. They are purely ethical and meditative guidelines based on the truths of psychological suffering due to impermanence" (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nontheism#Buddhism).
So it seems that according to your definition, Buddhism might or might not be a religion, depending on the individual practitioner.
Originally posted by Bosse de NageIf they use another definition than mine, that's fine by me.
So it seems that according to your definition, Buddhism might or might not be a religion, depending on the individual practitioner.
If they find it important that Buddhism is a religion, or not a religion, that's also fine with me.
I find Buddhism as a religion, an atheistic religion, and that's fine with me.
On the other hand, what is the ultimate Truth in this question? Who can tell...
Originally posted by FabianFnasWell, that's very laid-back.
If they use another definition than mine, that's fine by me.
If they find it important that Buddhism is a religion, or not a religion, that's also fine with me.
I find Buddhism as a religion, an atheistic religion, and that's fine with me.
Do Buddhist ethics & yours overlap much?
Originally posted by FabianFnasIt is not a religion because a Buddhist does not have to worship nothing at all. But many followers of Buddhist systems believe in supernatural axioms, and they believe in supernatural existences which they worship them due to the fact that they permit to the social and religious tendencies of their environment to mix with the philosophical ascpects of the Buddhism. Nevertheless a Buddhist can be a theist and have a religion (Islam, Christianity, Hinduism etc. and therefore to worship his "god" or "gods"😉, or to be a non theist;
Well, I have my own definition of a religion. Using this definition theism, Buddhism (I don't know much about Confucianism) and other standard religions but also astrology and defaitism together with other things fall within.
Other things that is usually part of religion fall outside.
Tha main part of the definition is about believing in supranatural ph ...[text shortened]... n are important phenomena in Buddhism, they are supernatural, therefore Buddhism is a religion.
Originally posted by black beetleIf religion is 'to worship something', then Buddhism is not a religion. I and Wikipedia is of another meaning.
It is not a religion because a Buddhist does not have to worship nothing at all. But many followers of Buddhist systems believe in supernatural axioms, and they believe in supernatural existences which they worship them due to the fact that they permit to the social and religious tendencies of their environment to mix with the philosophical ascpects of ...[text shortened]... tianity, Hinduism etc. and therefore to worship his "god" or "gods"😉, or to be a non theist;