Is Buddhism a Religion ?

[Sinyalan]

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Yes! Because Buddhism does not concern itself with what most Atheist busy themselves with: superstition and divinity! what is important here is you better yourself!

Pre, I don't pretend to know it all but when someone has the idea of associating atheism to religion, it get's even confusing or worst to think about. I don't disagree entirely your posts but I would just like to know if an atheist believes there is no god then there is no reason to connect atheism and buddhism. Correct?

[Red.Emano]

like i said, i did not associate atheism to religion,neither did i associate buddhism as a religion but simply presented how and what are the different sides of buddhism whether religion, science, philosophy or lifestyle, etc.. superstition is not related to religion alone.

Superstition as quoted from Merriam-Webster:
1 a: a belief or practice resulting from ignorance, fear of the unknown, trust in magic or chance, or a false conception of causation
2: a notion maintained despite evidence to the contrary

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in its most fundamental form, Atheism, or an Atheist rejects the ideas that plague a Theistic person. which means, atheist assert that there are no dieties. there is no one ideology or set of behaviors to which all atheists adhere.

Yes & No, Sinyalan. Yes, There is reason to connect Atheism to buddhism. Some schools of thought like Jainism and Buddhism do not require belief in a personal god, thus most Atheist find the philosophies of these schools as quite 'acceptable' to an atheist's motions. Most Atheist even find rituals, prayers, etc. as useless if directed towards a diety or something unknown! but in Zen Buddhism as taught by Bodhidharma, prayers, rituals, scriptures, etc...are all useless and corrupt, just cloud the mind!

[Hellblazer 2.1]

How can Buddhism be a Religion since it Reject the Concept of God ? Is there a Religion without God ?

for me, i think Buddhism is more of a way of life. maybe it's religion. but not "A RELIGION".

[Hellblazer 2.1]

How can Buddhism be a Religion since it Reject the Concept of God ? Is there a Religion without God ?

Buddhism DOES NOT reject the concept of God. but simply avoids a discussion concerning God. they don't have the luxury to assume that God is this or God is that like most organized religion. i think they simply know God as the Unknowable.

[bisan-unsa]

Buddhism, generally a way of life... However, it ranged from two extremes like being unattached to the worldly matters in order for the search of oneself and to the BEING as equated to GOD...

[bisan-unsa]

Buddhism DOES NOT reject the concept of God. but simply avoids a discussion concerning God. they don't have the luxury to assume that God is this or God is that like most organized religion. i think they simply know God as the Unknowable.

You are partly correct, in saying they avoid discussing God, in fact that's one of their ultimate goal, but in reaching that goal they MUST refrain or moderate the worldly needs to attain nirvana.

Sadly to say one of the pitful of Religion or almost everything is the conceptualization of a/the GOD or the Supreme Being. Especially to those who do not who to dance ideas, which they were like being put in a box...

[flying fish]

Buddhism DOES NOT reject the concept of God. but simply avoids a discussion concerning God. they don't have the luxury to assume that God is this or God is that like most organized religion. i think they simply know God as the Unknowable.

Hinayana budhism- teaches no soul & god
Mahayana budhism- teaches existence of soul but doesnt talk about god

But both teaches Universal Values & principles
right conduct, right livelihood, right speech, compassion ,etc.

Religion is a "way" or a path to becoming a better person, or a highly evolved person,
as such budhism is a religion, they dont make avail the concept "god" as ther refernce point to make a person a better person & they have proven it from time to time since they are peace & loving human being as compared to the theistic religion.

now if thers realy god, i guess he/she would be happier w/ the budhist in general since they are practicing true christianity, love, forgvness, etc

[Red.Emano]

Hinayana budhism- teaches no soul & god
Mahayana budhism- teaches existence of soul but doesnt talk about god

But both teaches Universal Values & principles
right conduct, right livelihood, right speech, compassion ,etc.

Religion is a "way" or a path to becoming a better person, or a highly evolved person,
as such budhism is a religion, they dont make avail the concept "god" as ther refernce point to make a person a better person & they have proven it from time to time since they are peace & loving human being as compared to the theistic religion.

now if thers realy god, i guess he/she would be happier w/ the budhist in general since they are practicing true christianity, love, forgvness, etc

What? All schools of Buddhism accept the Doctrine of Anatta! Hinayana & Mahayana both attest that there is no such thing as soul. The Buddha emphasized that, the doctrine of non-self. Both of them don't even bother much talking about God or different things that lead but to a different question.

As the Buddha hath said for those who concern themselves with Metaphysical ideas and even addressed to those who debate of the idea of God, they are like a sick person who has been hit by an arrow that even before the doctor treats him, he wishes to know who hit them, what hit them, where it came from, etc..etc..and by then, he has already died with the arrown still in him.

That is how the Buddha responded to questions that simply lead to nothing. Which means, strive to realize & experience truth FIRST HAND. Don't just go reason out everything..That is why we have meditation, so you can reach enlightenment and reach the different stages of jnana!

[flying fish]

What? All schools of Buddhism accept the Doctrine of Anatta! Hinayana & Mahayana both attest that there is no such thing as soul. The Buddha emphasized that, the doctrine of non-self. Both of them don't even bother much talking about God or different things that lead but to a different question.

As the Buddha hath said for those who concern themselves with Metaphysical ideas and even addressed to those who debate of the idea of God, they are like a sick person who has been hit by an arrow that even before the doctor treats him, he wishes to know who hit them, what hit them, where it came from, etc..etc..and by then, he has already died with the arrown still in him.

That is how the Buddha responded to questions that simply lead to nothing. Which means, strive to realize & experience truth FIRST HAND. Don't just go reason out everything..That is why we have meditation, so you can reach enlightenment and reach the different stages of jnana!

The mahayana teaches existence of the soul, the whole doctrine of reincarnation would be useless w/o an encarnating entity, the bodhisatva level is the highest level according to budhism that a man can attain in this earth scheme; hinayana on the other hand teaches no soul & existence of god.
Hinayana budhism according to Dr. D.T. suzuki, who popularized zen budhism in the west;budhist scholar & considered as one who attain a certain "awakening" considered (mahayana) as carrying the esoteric side of budhism; of course it cant be avoided that thers budhism for public consumption(hinayana).

[Red.Emano]

What? What suttra are you referring to? There are many doctrines of reincarnation, from the school of theosophical society to authentic buddhism per se.

Ofcourse, it doesn't mean that if there is no reincarnating soul the "whole doctrine of reincarnation" would be useless. it doens't have to be like that. the sutras clearly explain in both hinayana and mahayana that what we are are merely an accumulation of experiences, both past and present. We are false to believe there really is a soul. It is illusion. That is what we mean.

The Esoteric Side of Buddhism is in the Mahayana School, it is Vajrayana. Not Hinayana.

Mahayana emphasizes more on Boddhisatva ways, delaying enlightenment for the benefit of all sentient beings.
Hinayana emphasizes more on the Arahat. Those who have attained enlightentment for their cause. Going straight to enlightenment.