From Ozzy After talking about this in class yesterday, I still don’t know what to think. I still haven’t decided if I think it is a religion or not because I don’t know if I know everything that makes a religion a religion. I do think that we are not in the right place to tell people that what they believe is not a religion. If they want to believe that, then that is their belief and who are we to tell them it’s not? I think that it is optimistic though because they are bettering themselves for the afterlife.
I believe that Buddhism is a religion. I believe that a religion is a belief system and a way of life for an individual. I believe that Buddhist have their own belief system which they follow religiously. I don't believe that humans necessarily need religion in their lives to have a good life. However I believe that religion is a way of life that that an individual chooses to have in their life. Lastly I agree that Buddhism is an optimistic religion because the individuals that follow it, and live a good life are bettering themselves for when they die.
I am not quite sure if I believe that Buddhism is a type of religion. Like Ozzy stated, I do not know all the parts that constitute a religion, but I do believe that any belief system that can withstand the test of time deserves to be looked at. Because millions of humans have placed their faith in this unique system of beliefs for thousands of years, it, at the very least, demands respect and thoughtful study. As I realized when answering the question about medieval Christianity, there are many similarities between Buddhism and Catholicism – which leads me to wonder if Buddhism could be considered a religion (despite the obvious lack of a “higher power” to worship). I believe that humanity does need religion (and if not religion then at least a system of beliefs in which to place their faith). No matter how much science can prove, there are aspects of human existence that can only be explained by a higher power, and humans need to believe in a higher power to shoulder the grief and strife that seems to always be a part of this world. If we can believe that there is a purpose to our lives, we are much more likely to be able to bear the weight that life often places on us.
I think Buddhism is religion, simply because it is a belief system. It does differ from other religions, and it may not have all of the parts that consist of a religion but that idea is an opinion. Who's to say that Christianity or other religions have all of the proper parts that make a religion? Just because Christian and Catholics believe in a "higher power" and Buddhists don't have that "higher power" does not make their belief a religion.
After our discussion in class I still hold to my beliefs that I feel like Buddhism is a religion for though they do not have a "god", however, they do have a higher goal to reach (i.e. Christian's heavens, etc.), they also have a moral/ethical code, as do all other "religions". Though I constitute it as a religion, I do not feel like I have the power, nor should I have the right to say/judge what is/is not a religion; that is up to the individual themself. I feel that religion in and of itself is a made up idea that people who needed to explain the incidents that were happening created. I also feel like religion is necessary, depending on the individual. Some people feel like they need an explanation to instances and therefore relate it to a higher power, others need someone to blame and therefore decide to believe in a God just for sheer anger purposes; others do not need the “comfort” of a God and explanations and therefore do not need a religion, it all is situational really. I feel like religion is not something that one should be judged for because it is a personal preference, to me it is similar argument of determining when someone should have a child or not, it is all whenever/however comfortable the person is with their decision that matters.
Religion is defined by the dictionary as a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe, especially when considered as the creation of a superhuman agency or agencies, usually involving devotional and ritual observances and often containing a moral code governing the conduct of human affairs. Although there are probably several definitions, I feel this basically sums it up. Buddhism is considered a religion in my eyes because it has a moral code, has rituals, and contains a set of beliefs that many follow to gain a better understanding of the world and how they should act while in it. Even though no definite superhuman agency is present such as a 'god', their belief of reincarnation proves that some superhuman force is present. Buddhism is optimistic because those who practice it are optimistic about their future and obviously to attract followers it would need to be positive. It's in our human nature to do what makes us happy.
I consider Buddhism a religion because it involves the elements of belief, faith, and self-transformation. Similar to other religions, Buddhism presents a transformational goal, a desire to improve one's situation, and a distinct moral code. I would like to believe that humans need religion, but honestly, I’m not sure. I have a few friends who claim to have no religion, and they seem to get by alright in life. People often turn to religion because they want to take greater comfort in life or to improve their life, their self, or their moral conduct. It offers understanding, which gives comfort to us, especially during hard times.
"Religion is a collection of cultural systems, belief systems, and worldviews that establishes symbols that relate humanity to spirituality and moral values."
I think that the above definition sums up a lot of the argument in this blog. Buddhism fulfills all the above statures that define what a religion is made up of. I think that people argue that Buddhism is not a religion because it is possible to be both Buddhist and Christian, because it is also a way to view life and the world. The idea of karma and dharma are respected throughout the world. I think that people have trouble accepting the fact that you can follow more than one practice of living. People stress the need to know what ONE religion a person is because that is what has been ingrained in them. I think that culturally we are socialized to adhere to one type, but realistically, if we look at our beliefs and practices we would see that they are all based around the same values. Who is to say that it is wrong to use one or multiple religions if we are leading good moral lives?
My opinion remains the same, even after the in-class discussion last week. It all comes down to the individual practicing Buddhism and how they choose to interpret it. It could go either way. If they choose to treat it as a religious identity, that's exactly what it will be. However, as Thich Nhat Hanh explained, Buddhism is not limited to being interpreted as a religion. It can just as well be a moral code on top of another religious practice. There exist plenty of Christians who also follow the 8-fold path. Again, it all comes down to the individual and their set of beliefs.
I was confused whether Buddhism was a religion or not. After our discussion I came to the conclusion that it is in fact a religion. To me, a religion is some kind of belief system, not necessarily a God, but some kind of belief in a higher force. In this incident, the Buddhist believe in the after life and Nirvana. I believe that a person is not limited to a religion. Someone is able to choose what they believe, or if they believe anything at all. Religion works for some people, and for others it doesn't. It is all up to the individual, and as a society, we should not judge people based on if they belong to a certain religion or not.
I personally view Buddhism as a religion. Buddhism as its own set of beliefs that in their opinion bring them to a higher purpose or a better place. I feel that just because it doesn't have a higher being that it should be excluded as a religion for it serves the purpose that all other religions serve and that is to bring meaning to life and give some explanation as to what happens when people die. It not to say that someone can't be happy without religion but it is to say that people need meaning in their life and their minds are more at ease when they have some explanation as to what happens when we die. I say that religion is essential to life because religion brings meaning and people need some form of meaning in life otherwise they would find living pointless.
I belive that Buddhism can be considered a religion and way of life because religion gives people beliefs to live their life by. Even though Buddhism doesn't have gods for people to believe in, it gives them something to look forward to. People want to live a good life so they can finally reach nirvana some day. Personally for me, my Catholic faith is the basis of what my morals are today besides what my parents have taught me as I grew up. Religion is a way of life even though people consider them different things.
I agree with the people who said that Buddhism is considered a religion because it was formed to help explain the meaning of life. I think people choose to be members of a religion because they want to feel that they have a purpose in life. In Buddhists’ case they believe that by living a simple life and avoiding desires and temptations, they will eventually be reincarnated into a selfless being. It is because of this that I believe Buddhism is a religion and not just a way of life.
I consider that Buddism is a religion because in a sense, religion is man made. Anyone can make up a ridiculous story about how we were made, get a following of people and call it a religion. Look at pastafarianism. If it gives people a sense of purpose and something to beleive in then thats great.We all need to beleive in something and have meaning in our lives. I would have to agree with Kammi when she said "Religion works for some people, and for others it doesn't. It is all up to the individual, and as a society, we should not judge people based on if they belong to a certain religion or not". I feel like her statement really sums it up as to whether humans need religion or not.
According to www.merriam-webster.com there are a few different definitions of religion: -the state of a religious( religious=relating to or manifesting faithful devotion to an acknowledged ultimate reality or deity) -the service and worship of God or the supernatural -commitment or devotion to religious faith or observance -a personal set or institutionalized system of religious (religious=relating to or manifesting faithful devotion to an acknowledged ultimate reality or deity) attitudes, beliefs, and practices -a cause, principle, or system of beliefs held to with ardor and faith
Buddhism fits all of the definitions of a religion according to Merriam Webster, except the second one. This is the only definition that bases religion off of having a God or a supernatural being. Buddhism, while does not have a deity as mentioned in the definition of religious, it does acknowledge an ultimate reality, nirvana. It also has beliefs, practices, a cause and principles. So while there may be a debate over if Buddhism is a technical religion or not, does it really matter? I believe it can be considered a religion but one could classify it as a philosophy of life. Does it matter though? I personally don’t believe it really does.
After listening to the presentation on Buddhism I do consider it a religion. I personally do not understand all of the points presented or all the beliefs that the Buddhists hold. However, a religion can mean anything to anyone and for Buddhists, this is their religion and their set of beliefs. I think it is very interesting that Buddhists believe that your present life and present behavior will determine your after life or next life. I have never really thought about that before. When the class was discussing child abuse it could come to mind that if someone behaved immorally in a previous life, that they could come back as a child with misfortune, or another sad life. It is odd to think that all the bad in the world could come from our previous life. If someone is "bad" in their life, does that mean they will have an afterlife full of sadness and cruelty? Does it mean they will be born into a family of abusive parents? I don't know. Personally I do not believe that to be true but it is a very interesting topic and Buddhism has many important points.
From Ozzy
ReplyDeleteAfter talking about this in class yesterday, I still don’t know what to think. I still haven’t decided if I think it is a religion or not because I don’t know if I know everything that makes a religion a religion. I do think that we are not in the right place to tell people that what they believe is not a religion. If they want to believe that, then that is their belief and who are we to tell them it’s not? I think that it is optimistic though because they are bettering themselves for the afterlife.
I believe that Buddhism is a religion. I believe that a religion is a belief system and a way of life for an individual. I believe that Buddhist have their own belief system which they follow religiously. I don't believe that humans necessarily need religion in their lives to have a good life. However I believe that religion is a way of life that that an individual chooses to have in their life. Lastly I agree that Buddhism is an optimistic religion because the individuals that follow it, and live a good life are bettering themselves for when they die.
ReplyDeleteI am not quite sure if I believe that Buddhism is a type of religion. Like Ozzy stated, I do not know all the parts that constitute a religion, but I do believe that any belief system that can withstand the test of time deserves to be looked at. Because millions of humans have placed their faith in this unique system of beliefs for thousands of years, it, at the very least, demands respect and thoughtful study. As I realized when answering the question about medieval Christianity, there are many similarities between Buddhism and Catholicism – which leads me to wonder if Buddhism could be considered a religion (despite the obvious lack of a “higher power” to worship).
ReplyDeleteI believe that humanity does need religion (and if not religion then at least a system of beliefs in which to place their faith). No matter how much science can prove, there are aspects of human existence that can only be explained by a higher power, and humans need to believe in a higher power to shoulder the grief and strife that seems to always be a part of this world. If we can believe that there is a purpose to our lives, we are much more likely to be able to bear the weight that life often places on us.
I think Buddhism is religion, simply because it is a belief system. It does differ from other religions, and it may not have all of the parts that consist of a religion but that idea is an opinion. Who's to say that Christianity or other religions have all of the proper parts that make a religion? Just because Christian and Catholics believe in a "higher power" and Buddhists don't have that "higher power" does not make their belief a religion.
ReplyDeleteAfter our discussion in class I still hold to my beliefs that I feel like Buddhism is a religion for though they do not have a "god", however, they do have a higher goal to reach (i.e. Christian's heavens, etc.), they also have a moral/ethical code, as do all other "religions". Though I constitute it as a religion, I do not feel like I have the power, nor should I have the right to say/judge what is/is not a religion; that is up to the individual themself. I feel that religion in and of itself is a made up idea that people who needed to explain the incidents that were happening created. I also feel like religion is necessary, depending on the individual. Some people feel like they need an explanation to instances and therefore relate it to a higher power, others need someone to blame and therefore decide to believe in a God just for sheer anger purposes; others do not need the “comfort” of a God and explanations and therefore do not need a religion, it all is situational really. I feel like religion is not something that one should be judged for because it is a personal preference, to me it is similar argument of determining when someone should have a child or not, it is all whenever/however comfortable the person is with their decision that matters.
ReplyDeleteReligion is defined by the dictionary as a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe, especially when considered as the creation of a superhuman agency or agencies, usually involving devotional and ritual observances and often containing a moral code governing the conduct of human affairs. Although there are probably several definitions, I feel this basically sums it up. Buddhism is considered a religion in my eyes because it has a moral code, has rituals, and contains a set of beliefs that many follow to gain a better understanding of the world and how they should act while in it. Even though no definite superhuman agency is present such as a 'god', their belief of reincarnation proves that some superhuman force is present. Buddhism is optimistic because those who practice it are optimistic about their future and obviously to attract followers it would need to be positive. It's in our human nature to do what makes us happy.
ReplyDeleteI consider Buddhism a religion because it involves the elements of belief, faith, and self-transformation. Similar to other religions, Buddhism presents a transformational goal, a desire to improve one's situation, and a distinct moral code. I would like to believe that humans need religion, but honestly, I’m not sure. I have a few friends who claim to have no religion, and they seem to get by alright in life. People often turn to religion because they want to take greater comfort in life or to improve their life, their self, or their moral conduct. It offers understanding, which gives comfort to us, especially during hard times.
ReplyDelete"Religion is a collection of cultural systems, belief systems, and worldviews that establishes symbols that relate humanity to spirituality and moral values."
ReplyDeleteI think that the above definition sums up a lot of the argument in this blog. Buddhism fulfills all the above statures that define what a religion is made up of. I think that people argue that Buddhism is not a religion because it is possible to be both Buddhist and Christian, because it is also a way to view life and the world. The idea of karma and dharma are respected throughout the world. I think that people have trouble accepting the fact that you can follow more than one practice of living. People stress the need to know what ONE religion a person is because that is what has been ingrained in them. I think that culturally we are socialized to adhere to one type, but realistically, if we look at our beliefs and practices we would see that they are all based around the same values. Who is to say that it is wrong to use one or multiple religions if we are leading good moral lives?
From SPADA
ReplyDeleteMy opinion remains the same, even after the in-class discussion last week. It all comes down to the individual practicing Buddhism and how they choose to interpret it. It could go either way. If they choose to treat it as a religious identity, that's exactly what it will be. However, as Thich Nhat Hanh explained, Buddhism is not limited to being interpreted as a religion. It can just as well be a moral code on top of another religious practice. There exist plenty of Christians who also follow the 8-fold path. Again, it all comes down to the individual and their set of beliefs.
I was confused whether Buddhism was a religion or not. After our discussion I came to the conclusion that it is in fact a religion. To me, a religion is some kind of belief system, not necessarily a God, but some kind of belief in a higher force. In this incident, the Buddhist believe in the after life and Nirvana. I believe that a person is not limited to a religion. Someone is able to choose what they believe, or if they believe anything at all. Religion works for some people, and for others it doesn't. It is all up to the individual, and as a society, we should not judge people based on if they belong to a certain religion or not.
ReplyDeleteFrom Megan Greishop
ReplyDeleteI personally view Buddhism as a religion. Buddhism as its own set of beliefs that in their opinion bring them to a higher purpose or a better place. I feel that just because it doesn't have a higher being that it should be excluded as a religion for it serves the purpose that all other religions serve and that is to bring meaning to life and give some explanation as to what happens when people die. It not to say that someone can't be happy without religion but it is to say that people need meaning in their life and their minds are more at ease when they have some explanation as to what happens when we die. I say that religion is essential to life because religion brings meaning and people need some form of meaning in life otherwise they would find living pointless.
I belive that Buddhism can be considered a religion and way of life because religion gives people beliefs to live their life by. Even though Buddhism doesn't have gods for people to believe in, it gives them something to look forward to. People want to live a good life so they can finally reach nirvana some day. Personally for me, my Catholic faith is the basis of what my morals are today besides what my parents have taught me as I grew up. Religion is a way of life even though people consider them different things.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the people who said that Buddhism is considered a religion because it was formed to help explain the meaning of life. I think people choose to be members of a religion because they want to feel that they have a purpose in life. In Buddhists’ case they believe that by living a simple life and avoiding desires and temptations, they will eventually be reincarnated into a selfless being. It is because of this that I believe Buddhism is a religion and not just a way of life.
ReplyDeleteI consider that Buddism is a religion because in a sense, religion is man made. Anyone can make up a ridiculous story about how we were made, get a following of people and call it a religion. Look at pastafarianism. If it gives people a sense of purpose and something to beleive in then thats great.We all need to beleive in something and have meaning in our lives. I would have to agree with Kammi when she said "Religion works for some people, and for others it doesn't. It is all up to the individual, and as a society, we should not judge people based on if they belong to a certain religion or not". I feel like her statement really sums it up as to whether humans need religion or not.
ReplyDeleteAccording to www.merriam-webster.com there are a few different definitions of religion:
ReplyDelete-the state of a religious( religious=relating to or manifesting faithful devotion to an acknowledged ultimate reality or deity)
-the service and worship of God or the supernatural
-commitment or devotion to religious faith or observance
-a personal set or institutionalized system of religious (religious=relating to or manifesting faithful devotion to an acknowledged ultimate reality or deity) attitudes, beliefs, and practices
-a cause, principle, or system of beliefs held to with ardor and faith
Buddhism fits all of the definitions of a religion according to Merriam Webster, except the second one. This is the only definition that bases religion off of having a God or a supernatural being. Buddhism, while does not have a deity as mentioned in the definition of religious, it does acknowledge an ultimate reality, nirvana. It also has beliefs, practices, a cause and principles. So while there may be a debate over if Buddhism is a technical religion or not, does it really matter? I believe it can be considered a religion but one could classify it as a philosophy of life. Does it matter though? I personally don’t believe it really does.
After listening to the presentation on Buddhism I do consider it a religion. I personally do not understand all of the points presented or all the beliefs that the Buddhists hold. However, a religion can mean anything to anyone and for Buddhists, this is their religion and their set of beliefs. I think it is very interesting that Buddhists believe that your present life and present behavior will determine your after life or next life. I have never really thought about that before. When the class was discussing child abuse it could come to mind that if someone behaved immorally in a previous life, that they could come back as a child with misfortune, or another sad life. It is odd to think that all the bad in the world could come from our previous life. If someone is "bad" in their life, does that mean they will have an afterlife full of sadness and cruelty? Does it mean they will be born into a family of abusive parents? I don't know. Personally I do not believe that to be true but it is a very interesting topic and Buddhism has many important points.
ReplyDelete