Lamar University - Is Buddhism a Religion or Philosophy?

Bhante Kassapa Bhikkhu was invited by Dr. Raul Garcia, professor of Philosophy at Lamar University, to be guest lecturer on the religion and philosophy of Buddhism. This was recorded on September 20, 2007. This clip relates to whether Buddhism is a Religion or Philosophy. It is part one of a multi-part series. You can read Dhamma Talks and learn more about Bhante Kassapa Bhikkhu at his website, http://www.kassapa.org.

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[emeraldFloyd]

lol, well it's peaceful and its very self understanding. Its..alot better than Christianity.

[Ashiman12]

If you ask me, Buddhism isn't really a religion, but rather, it's a comprehensive science of living, encompassing elements of religion, philosophy, ethics, and psychology, without being limited by any one of them.

[MtthewWilo]

why do we need to classify something anyway? Understanding?

[nett103]

I say no

[DreamsofMajesty]

scribd (dot) com/nb812

[BadassCeino]

These are understandings that no religion like CHRISTIANITY could ever comprehen, there too busy on there knees asking for someone or something to help & save them instead of them helping & saving themselves.

[yarzharl]

@Ashiman12

well said

[DreamsofMajesty]

scribd (dot) com/nb812

[pixusbubblejet]

Dichotomies between "philosophy" and "religion", or "science" and "religion" are social fabrications of Western European cultures.. These dichotomies are simply local culturally specific ideas that have been spread around the world because of the political dominance of the English language.. The fact is such dichotomies do not naturally exist in East Asian & South Asian thought.. Actually, Buddhism is neither religion nor philosophy. Buddhism is rational path of compassion seeking Enlightenment.

[Ashiman12]

I'm reluctant to describe any one religion as "better" than another, even though I am a Buddhist. The purpose of religion is to help equip us with the tools needed to live better, and as each person is different, and their needs are different, so each person must find the faith that's best FOR THEM (including the non-faith approach: atheism, etc.)