Why do some people think that Buddhism is not a religion?

Answer 1

Depending on the definition of religion used by the people making the statement there are several possible reasons that some people exclude Buddhism from the definition of "religion":

• some have been told Buddhism is not a religion by somebody else and just go along with that idea
• some people limit "religion" to their own religion. If another group does not blieve exactly as they do, that group is not a religion - you have to be part of their sect.
• some limit "religion" to an organization that has many of the aspects of their own - belief in their brand of sin, a god and their religious texts
• some just want a real religion to worship a god
• some want a religion you acknowledge a soul
• some are happy if the other reliion has churches, a clergy, people apparently praying regardless of the beliefs
• some feel the presence of "spirituality" (?) is enough

As Buddhism has no need for a god, no savior or prophets, no deity given holy text, a different concept of "soul", no unbendable way of living life, no heaven r hell, no jugdement many would place it on the "philosophy" side of the religion/philosophy divide.

Answer 2

It depends on what you consider a "religion." Most people who give this label are really asking whether any belief resembles Christianity -- it's a loaded question.

There are many kinds of Buddhism. Some are non-theistic (i.e., there is no divine being). Detractors -- and some supporters -- use this to say that Buddhism is not a religion, but a philosophy. But remember that the religion has been around for 2500 years - it has developed so many branches that it is useless to talk about what "real" Buddhism is.

Answer 3

People often do not view Buddhism to be a religion because buddhists do not focus on a supreme being, although they do not necessarily deny the existence of one. Buddhism is more about self-discovery, self-development and enhancing one's consciousness.