Why Buddhism is NOT a Religion

The essence of Buddhism is not religion as we commonly understand religion, but education: education for awakening.

Buddha is our very good teacher who teaches us how to awaken and be liberated from all suffering in LIFE.

Buddhism reveals the Truths of life and the Universe.

Buddha provides us with many methods to help us become liberated from suffering. Different branches of Buddhism simply represent different methods taught by the Buddha.

In the sutras, Buddha recommends that everyone should practice Amitabha recitation in order to seek rebirth to the Pure Land. This is the easiest method to help us attain liberation from all suffering in life. One can exit the cycle of reincarnation without first obtaining enlightenment.

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🙏 Namo Amitabha Buddha 🙏
🙏 Namo Amituofo 🙏

[tsbelmeruuu]

A person who accepted the teachings but does not put into practice is like a vase with a hole in the bottom, everything it receives just leaks right back out again.
A person who is truly awakened will have a very calm and contended mind.

Buddhism is a teaching of practicing within.
Buddhism is a way of teaching as it teaches us how to regain our true wisdom.
Buddhist practitioners must broaden their mind and care for all beings.
The broader the mInd, the greater the good fortune.

[TCGill]

Thank you for sharing.
I hear the kindness in your voice.
It draws me closer to the Buddhist wisdom

[wasnikashish]

Thanks for so nicely explaining Buddhism.

[hookbeak]

"Namaste". Your spoken British English is excellent, even though I understood every single word you pronounced, it did help me concentrate on the complexity of your presentation.

[sekarmaltum]

Oh really?
-prayers and mantras? YES
-saints? YES
-gods and spirits? YES
-holy texts? YES
-theocracies run under such teachings? YES
-moral/ethical frameworks? YES
etc

buddhism IS a religion, obviously

[tsbelmeruuu]

Buddhism is not a religion.
Buddhism is an education of wisdom.
Buddha is our Teacher.
Teach us how to leave sufferings and attain happiness.
Teach deluded to become awakened.
Teach ignorance to become wise.
Teach selfish to become compassionate.
Teach greedy to become generous
Teach shallow minded to become magnanimous.
Teach superstitious the truth.

All these benefits will bring you instant happiness.
These are the current benefits one will obtain.
If one cannot enjoy these benefits now, what is the point of learning?

[alidalavezzari]

May all living beings obtain illumination.

[songshancat]

One could spend all day comparing dictionary definitions, religion or teaching, for any system of beliefs. However, I feel one needn't do so. Buddhism needn't necessarily be set apart from Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Folk Religion, Judaism, or any religion, or any denomination of any of these in any way. I look at each as a refuge where one can find solace. Each one has an element of faith. I am a simple not so intellectual person. I have been at times afraid of what might happen to me when I die. Each religion has the capability to alleviate this fear when one has faith. Pure Land Buddhism, practicing Nianfo offers me a clear and easy to understand path to not feel afraid, and so I have chosen to follow this path. It is my religion.

[tsbelmeruuu]

The different between Religion and Buddhism.

In religion, one is told to believe in God without any doubt. No question.

In Buddhism, first one must believe in oneself without doubt.
What's believing in onesleves ?
Believe one was originally a Buddha.
Then only one believes in them.
Believing in them? Who?
Them, refer to our Teachers Sakyamuni Buddha and Amituofo.
These Buddhas told us, and we were originally a Buddha like them.

[AverageBuddhist]

I disagree here. Buddhism is a religion. Not only does it fit the definition of a religion, but especially Pure Land Buddhism is 100% a religion. I used to practicie it before switching to Tibetan Buddhism, so I know that it is fully a religion. And I have nothing against that, I love all forms of Buddhism, I would just rather people class it as a religion because then westerners wouldn't be shocked when they see people praying to Amitabha for rebirth in Sukhavati, or praying to Quan Yin for guidance and protection

[LolLol-cwdw]

what is differense between amitabha buddha and gauntam buddha

[PrimitiveOverland]

If the buddah is the buddah because he is the enlightened one and he wants others to reach enlightenment too does that mean there can be more than one living buddah?

[joyfulflame]

That's why I try to say people that it's most scientific philosophy... 😸

[Kwamekyi]

It doesn't make sense to say Buddhism is not a religion. It is a religion insofar as they have belief system as you spouting out. Your explanation itself is a belief system. You have faith that there is no God. Isn't that a belief or faith? The fact that Buddhists do not have a sacred text does not mean it is not a religion. No, you have unwritten sacred text as you are spouting out on this video.  "You can fool all the people some of the time and some of the people all the time, but you cannot fool all the people all the time."

[JamesJackson-hefs]

I agree so tell Thailand you can’t make a philosophy your national religion! As that is what they want to do and that is never something that the Buddha wanted.

[israelalvarez]

It became a religion the moment others started to add ingredients that the Buddha never spoke of. An example is the amitabha practice. Spoiled the brorth.