buddhism is a religion

bugghism is a religion

• Mahayana worship bodhisattvas

• in the bhavachakra, there is a realm of Gods

• strong hierarchy / institutional element

  • Dalai Lama, lamas, sangha

  • set texts with clear doctrine (Pali Canon, sutras)

• viewed as a religion by secular audience 

  • shared beliefs

• supernatural elements

• strong hierarchy / institutional element

• Dalai Lama, lamas, sangha

• set texts with clear doctrine (Pali Canon, sutras)

buddhsim supernatural eleemtns

• supranormal powers at enlightenment 

  • levitation

• 32 Marks of a Great Being 

  • 10 foot aura

• bhavachakra

  • heavenly realm

  • hungry ghost realm

  • held by god mara

• Dalai Lama 

• earthly vs transcendent bodhisattvas 

• miraculous stories 

  • walking immediately at birth

buddhism isnt a religion

• no God

• Theravada don’t worship Buddha / bodhisattvas - devotion

• teachings aren’t absolute = non-dogmatic

  • Parable of the Raft - taking only what you need 

  • ehipassiko

• religion = faith without reason; Buddhism = ehipassiko

• no supernatural elements

  • no afterlife / judgement - anatta

  • can’t pray to Buddha / bodhisattvas in Theravada

  • metaphorical