Bill; Instructor kept pointing out over and over that Buddhism was not a set of beliefs but something to be experienced first in one and then believe. We were also told never talk about anything that we didn't first experience in us. That Buddhism was not a religion of faith but something based in living experience. This was the statement from the Buddha I recall to be told: "Do not believe in anything I say, first experience it and once you experience it, then believe". Mayka
--- On Mon, 28/3/11, Bill! <[email protected]> wrote: From: Bill! <[email protected]> Subject: [Zen] Re: Is Zen a religion? To: [email protected] Date: Monday, 28 March, 2011, 10:29 Mayka, As a very broad statement I consider any structured set of beliefs based on faith as a religion. ...Bill! --- In [email protected], Maria Lopez <flordeloto@...> wrote: > > Steve; >  > I'm under the impresion that buddhism in some Countries is regarded as a > religion and the way it's follow is as Buddha kind of "God" and other > Contries is more a way of living. It may be depending upo different schools > and traditions Buddhism come from. I was educated to see buddhism as non > religion. In fact our instructor used to tell us never try to convert > anyone into buddhism as it wasn't a religion but a way to freely choose to > live or not. We were also instructed to only talk about the dharma if > someone asked a question or that person was interested. >  > It will be interesting to know what you, Bill and others consider a religion. >  > Mayka > > --- On Mon, 28/3/11, SteveW <eugnostos2000@...> wrote: > > > From: SteveW <eugnostos2000@...> > Subject: [Zen] Re: Is Zen a religion? > To: [email protected] > Date: Monday, 28 March, 2011, 5:15 > > >  > > > > > > --- In [email protected], "Bill!" <BillSmart@> wrote: > > > > JMJM, > > > > In my opinion: > > > > US PERCEPTIONS > > - Buddhism is considered a religion - albeit a quirky one. > > - Zen Buddhism is considered a sect of Buddhism. > > > > WORLD PERCEPTION > > - Buddhism is considered a religion. > > - Zen Buddhism is considered a sect of Buddhism - albeit a quiky one. > > > > ...Bill! > > > > Hi Bill! Oh, Buddhism itself can be properly regarded as a philosophy > > rather than a religion. There is an interesting book by Stephen Batchelor > > entitled Buddhism Without Beliefs. Mr. Batchelor received Dharma > > transmission, if I am not mistaken, in the Korean form of Zen. > Steve >
