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Definitions of religion tend to suffer from one of two problems: they are either too narrow and exclude

many belief systems which most agree are religions, or they are too vague and ambiguous, suggesting that just about anything and everything is a religion. A better way to explain the nature of religion is to identify basic characteristics common to religions. These characteristics may be shared with other belief systems, but taken together they make religion distinct. According to John Hospers Author of Introduction to Philosophical Analysis (Routledge, 1956) religion is characterised by the following: 1. Beliefs in supernatural beings 2. A distinction between sacred and profane objects 3. Ritual acts focussed around sacred objects 4. A moral code believed to be sanctioned by the Gods 5. Characteristically religious feelings (awe, sense of mystery, sense of guilt, adoration etc) which tend to be aroused in the presence of sacred objects, and during the practice of ritual, and which are associated with the gods. 6. Prayer and other forms of communication with gods 7. A world view that is, a general picture of the world as a whole and of the place of the individual in it, including a specification of its overall significance 8. A more or less total organisation of ones life based on the world view 9. A social organisation bound together by the previous characteristics

BUDDHISM IS NOT A RELIGION. According to the the above characteristics Buddhism cannot be classified as a religion.. According to the Websters Dictionary, the definition of religion is as follows. An organized system of beliefs, rites, and celebrations centered on a supernatural being power; belief pursued with devotion.

Buddhism is not a religion because: First, the Buddha is not a supernatural being power. The Buddha is simply a person who has reached Complete Understanding of the reality of life and the universe. Life refers to ourselves, and universe refers to our living environment. The Buddha taught that all beings possess the same ability to reach Complete Understanding of themselves and their environment, and relieve themselves from all sufferings to attain utmost happiness. All beings can become Buddhas, and all beings and the Buddha are equal by nature. The Buddha is not a God, but a teacher, who teach us the way to restore Wisdom and Understanding by conquering the greed, hatred, and ignorance which blind us at the present moment. There is no almighty God in Buddhism. There is no one to hand out rewards or punishments on a supposedly Judgment Day.

Second, No saviour concept in Buddhism. A Buddha is not a saviour who saves others by his personal
salvation. Although a Buddhist seeks refuge in the Buddha as his incomparable guide who indicates the path of purity, he makes no servile surrender. A Buddhist does not think that he can gain purity merely by seeking refuge in the Buddha or by mere faith in Him. It is not within the power of a Buddha to wash away the impurities of othersthe

belief in the Buddhas teachings is not blind belief, or blind faith.

Shakyamuni Buddha taught us not to blindly believe what he tells us, he wants us to try the

teachings and prove them for ourselves. The Buddha wants us to know not merely believe. The Buddhas teachings flow from his own experience and understanding of the truth, and show us a path of our own to taste the truth for ourselves. The Buddha uses a perfectly scientific way of showing us reality in its true form.

Third, Buddhism is not a religion because all the rites and celebrations are not centered on a supernatural being, but rather the people attending the assemblies. The ceremonies and celebrations in Buddhism all serve an educational purpose, a reminder of the Buddhas teachings and encouragement to all students who practice it. The point of the ceremonies is to help others awaken from delusion and return to Wisdom and Understanding

.Finally, Buddhism is not a religion because the devotion used in Buddhism is not one based on emotion, but one based on reason. Students of the Buddha are devoted to their practice of maintaining Purity of Mind because this practice brings true happiness. We are devoted to helping both ourselves and others attain Complete Understanding and Wisdom. Our devotion is to become Buddha

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