Hi All,
A fascinating and thought-provoking topic. It's a long time since anything has been posted here so I hope it's okay to respond to the question raised in the introduction: Is Buddhism a religion?
Speaking from the point of view of an ordinary Buddhist I would say it is a way of life. There are texts (ritual, philosophy, hagiography, eschatology, instructions for religious adepts - monks, nuns, initiates) which are used in particular contexts usually rites performed in temples, monasteries or even private homes. There is no single organized central church which ordains adherence such as compulsory attendance in temples or monasteries. Most of the rituals and ceremonies are organized by donors/benefactors, who come from all kinds of background.
The ordinary household too sponsors rituals and ceremonies according to the calendar for the year on auspicious days like the birth, death or enlightenment anniversaries of the historical Buddha and other religious-historical figures particular to the country or society.
The concept of karma - that one's actions of merit or demerit determine one's rebirth and also that one alone is responsible for the course one's life takes is the defining principle which drives much of the observances of rituals and decision one makes like joining the monasteries or nunneries for a life of meditation and learning. A monk and nun can opt out of the religious life and training and become a lay person, often performing rites in the villages as trained adepts.
In case I give the impression that Buddhists are ritual-orientated I must qualify that this again is down to how much one can afford to do devote time, effort and money and how one perceives that such acts will work towards good or bad karma.
Compassion for all sentient beings is again linked to the principle of inter-relatedness of things. That all beings share a common existential suffering as shown in the Four Noble Truths. Also, humans can be reborn as animals, insects etc depending on one's karma. We often say, we never know if a fly is one's grandmother.
The greatest goal is to go beyond this cycle of karmic rebirth where all experiences as we know cease and we see the Clear Light. This goal is not only for a chosen few but for anyone who wants to devote their life and efforts to achieve this.
I don't know if any of this makes any sense at all.
A fascinating and thought-provoking topic. It's a long time since anything has been posted here so I hope it's okay to respond to the question raised in the introduction: Is Buddhism a religion?
Speaking from the point of view of an ordinary Buddhist I would say it is a way of life. There are texts (ritual, philosophy, hagiography, eschatology, instructions for religious adepts - monks, nuns, initiates) which are used in particular contexts usually rites performed in temples, monasteries or even private homes. There is no single organized central church which ordains adherence such as compulsory attendance in temples or monasteries. Most of the rituals and ceremonies are organized by donors/benefactors, who come from all kinds of background.
The ordinary household too sponsors rituals and ceremonies according to the calendar for the year on auspicious days like the birth, death or enlightenment anniversaries of the historical Buddha and other religious-historical figures particular to the country or society.
The concept of karma - that one's actions of merit or demerit determine one's rebirth and also that one alone is responsible for the course one's life takes is the defining principle which drives much of the observances of rituals and decision one makes like joining the monasteries or nunneries for a life of meditation and learning. A monk and nun can opt out of the religious life and training and become a lay person, often performing rites in the villages as trained adepts.
In case I give the impression that Buddhists are ritual-orientated I must qualify that this again is down to how much one can afford to do devote time, effort and money and how one perceives that such acts will work towards good or bad karma.
Compassion for all sentient beings is again linked to the principle of inter-relatedness of things. That all beings share a common existential suffering as shown in the Four Noble Truths. Also, humans can be reborn as animals, insects etc depending on one's karma. We often say, we never know if a fly is one's grandmother.
The greatest goal is to go beyond this cycle of karmic rebirth where all experiences as we know cease and we see the Clear Light. This goal is not only for a chosen few but for anyone who wants to devote their life and efforts to achieve this.
I don't know if any of this makes any sense at all.