That truly is odd, because my Buddhist teacher (who is a Buddhist) did say that Buddhism is a philosophy, which explains why it is practiced so differently across sects: it absorbed the gods of the region and placed them within the framework of Buddhism.
There are several different schools of Buddhism which vary in their asceticism and their philosophical stance. The original form of Buddhism, Theravada, is extremely philosophical. It wasn't until it moved eastward, to China that Mahayana started making Buddhism more like a religion, which finally solidifed in Tibet.
Not all Buddhism is a religion. If you examine its Theravadan tenets, it sort of fails some of the important litmus tests of religion. :)
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momijizukamori
no subject
Date: 2004-05-21 10:04 (UTC)There are several different schools of Buddhism which vary in their asceticism and their philosophical stance. The original form of Buddhism, Theravada, is extremely philosophical. It wasn't until it moved eastward, to China that Mahayana started making Buddhism more like a religion, which finally solidifed in Tibet.
Not all Buddhism is a religion. If you examine its Theravadan tenets, it sort of fails some of the important litmus tests of religion. :)