Strictly speaking, can Buddhists be deemed atheists with respect to definition?

Question

One of the principles of atheism is the rejection of principles established by all religions in general.

A religion can't be established on the principle of rejection of all religions. Its paradoxical, so atheism is not a religion.

However, though Buddhists don't believe in a deity or supernatural being, they are deemed atheists. But Buddhism IS a religion.

So, isn't it wrong to say that Buddhists are atheists, since it is fusing a religion with atheism?

Or is it wrong to see Buddhism as a religion?

In this respect, I'll be glad if one can give me a definition of religion.

Answer 1

ATHEIST -  someone who does not believe in a God – any God – not just the Christian one.  But that does not mean they do not hold strong moral or religious beliefs!  They can follow any religion that does not have a god and there are a lot of those!!

BUDDHISM – Religious teaching from Buddha and his followers that by destroying greed, hatred and delusion (the cause of all suffering) man can attain perfect enlightenment!!

So with no god Buddhism is indeed one of the great atheist religions!!

Answer 2

Mr. Asif, I don't see Buddhism as atheism. Maybe I am wrong, but isn't the achievement of Nirvana a break with the idea of reincarnation, a way to escape the natural world into nothingness? To me Buddhism falls into the category of the supernatural. I do not see Buddhism as a philosophy fused with atheism, Buddhism is a religion that came into being as a break from and opposed to Hindu belief of constant reoccurence of reincarnation without end.

To me Atheism is the rejection (or non-belief)  of the supernatural. The supernatural being: God, Allah, angels, djin, houris, magic, miracles, heaven, h**l, ghosts, spirits, sprites, demons, Satan, cherubs, Mythology, literature of mythology (The Bible, Al Qu'ran, Torah...etc.), Nirvana,...etc.

When Atheism is defined as no belief in God or Gods, I believe God is one of many labels for the supernatural.

Answer 3

Here's my definition of religion: A social and/or governmental structure, with a power structure and hierarchy, that is built around a system of beliefs and morality.

Buddhism has no Deity, it is an ATHEISTIC religion.

It does have a social system built around it's beliefs and values, so it IS a religion.

Edit: And anyone who claims that Buddhists 'worship' Buddha needs to pick up some books. I respectfully suggest The Worlds Religions by Huston Smith

Answer 4

BUDDHISTS AREN"T ATHEIST.

Buddhist believe in the Buddha

learn the religions!

Answer 5

By definition, athesim is a belief, a form of religion rejecting the existence of gods.

In the Buddhist belief, there are paradises as mentioned on page #50 in the Zhuan Falun Lecture on the web:

'If you cultivate by following Pure Land, you go to Buddha Amitabha’s Western Paradise, and if you follow Bhaishajyaguru, you go to the Emerald World, ..."

Contrasting to the Christian beliefs, the Buddhist believes in many Buddhas, there are also Arhats and Bodhisattva’s; or Enlightenment Beings of much higher level than a deity.

Falun Gong is a unique Buddhist School, teaching an ancient practice for the body, mind, and spirit based upon the universal principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Tolerance. Falun Gong consists of five sets of powerful exercises.

Falun Gong, Tibetans, other Buddhists, and Christians have been persecuted in China. The most offensive human right violation is the organ harvesting from the Falun Gong practitioners in China.

Can you kindly sign a petition to stop persecution of Falun Gong practitioners in China, please ?

http://cipfg.org/en/news/petition.html  

Answer 6

Some say Buddhism isn't a religion but a philosophy. Still they do believe in things that are not plausible like reincarnation and levels of h**l (not the christian h**l).  Buddhism has their own silliness.

Answer 7

Atheist - no belief in a god

Buddhism - no god in their belief system

Buddhism is labeled a religion by many. Personally, I see it as more of a spiritual path.

Edited to add: It doesn't bother me if someone considers it a religion.

Answer 8

Whether Buddhism is or is not a religion depends upon how you define "religion."

Government census offices and public opinion pollsters generally recognize Buddhism as a religion. Books that describe the religions of the world generally cover Buddhism along with Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, etc. Even the Boy Scouts of America, who expel Atheists, Agnostics and homosexuals, accept Buddhists as members.

The Drepung Loseling Institute states:

    "Like all major religions, Buddhism contains an explanation of the origin of existence, a morality, and a specific set of rituals and behaviors. ... Buddhism presents a transformational goal, a desire to improve one's situation, and a distinct moral code. 5

However, some definitions of "religion" require a belief in the existence of one or more deities. That would disqualify most branches of Buddhism from being considered as religious groups.

Answer 9

I have talked with several Buddhist Monks/priests or whatever they call them these days.  Not in the US, but in Japan.  Here is how I understood what it is that they are about.

Buddhism makes no claim about any so-called god, but does not tell another Buddhist that they ought to accept a god presence.  Therefore, it is up to you to think and believe whatever you desire.  That sounds really great except those monks/priests make a lot of noise chanting, especially at a funeral.  I have to say that Buddhism is a religion, and that is the way that most Buddhist that I have met see it.  But they do not make any nosense calims on members; you can drin k all that you wish anytime and whatever you wish, you can eat whatever you want at anytime or any day, and you can have as many wives  or husbands as you can support, you can go to bars as often as you like and you never have to apologize for how you live your life.

Answer 10

that "nine consciousnesses" we learn "deity" wherefore !!

(seventh).

Answer 11

Atheism means no belief in gods.  That's it.

There are no "principles" of atheism.

If a Buddhist chooses to consider himself an atheist, then an atheist he is.

Answer 12

Buddhism is not a religion, but a philosophy, as they don't believe in "a" God.

And therefore buddhists can be defined as atheists...

Answer 13

Atheism is ONLY the belief that there are no gods.

It is not the belief that there is no afterlife, it is not the belief that there are no souls, it is not the rejection of all religion. Although those are common to atheists, the ONLY thing an atheist is... is a person who does not believe in any gods.

Most Buddhists ARE atheists, as most Buddhists do not believe in a god. Likewise, most Satanists are atheists, and Taoists are atheists.... h**l, there's even an atheist Pagan running around on this site somewhere.