[quote]OsakaNate wrote:
Um, no. Buddhism is not a bunch of symbolism and philosophy. The deities are perceived as being real and so is reincarnation (see Lama, Dalai).[/quote]
Reincarnation is heavily emphasized in Tibetan Buddhism, as well as a few other branches. The young Dalai Lama to be is tested by recognition of the former Dalai Lama’s possessions, and based on this it is concluded that he is the reincarnation. Many other branches of Buddhism put much less stress on reincarnation and focus on chanting (Koan) and philosophical questions in order to clear the mind…Zen buddhists being among them (you know, the guys that get up at 4am, chant and fire off what sounds like cannons, waking up the neighbourhood? You must have them in Osaka)
Religion, as most define it, involves worshiping a higher power (God) and strict adherence to a set of guidelines created by that God. Some would extend the definition to include beliefs about the “fabric of the universe” and the laws that govern it. If you belong to the latter category, than yes, Buddhism is a “religion”. However, if you belong to the former, it is not.
Here is a bit of quick reading on the subject: Buddhism in a Nutshell - Is Buddhism a Religion
Buddha was not a god. He does not demand worship, and in fact would probably detest it. His beliefs do not demand exclusivity, as many devout Christians could be defined as “Buddhists” without even knowing it. He was simply a man who attained enlightenment, and by that serves as an example to others, and nothing more. All the Buddha statues and murals are not meant to be worshiped, they’re simply a reminder of the teachings of the man and what he attained. Having a buddha statue is no different than having a bust of Socrates in your study.
The deities of Buddhism ARE in fact symbolic and not intended to be real (again, a few branches do believe in literal “hungry ghosts” and “winds of craving”, but they are not in the majority). Do you speak Japanese well? If so, go to an actual Japanese buddhist temple and ask one of the monks if the “angry red guy with club” or “100-handed lotus flower” is real. They aren’t (the red fellow represents the anger inside everyone, and the 100-handed statue represents helping as many people as possible). All Buddhist “demons” represent earthly cravings, which a Buddhist has to overcome if he or she is to attain enlightenment. You’ll see in most Buddhist tapestries that Buddha is in the center and is resisting the temptation of the “demons” (cravings) at the periphery. They aren’t waiting to torment us in hell (or reward us in heaven), they are earthly temptations that we have to resist everyday.
