Is Buddhism a phylosophy or a religion?

There are different schools of Buddhism, Most formed off the Teachings of Guatama, but others formed out of other Buddas and Bodhisattvas... Other Masters who have reached and attained enlightenment... Zen Buddhism, Tibetan Buddhism, Theravada Buddhism, East Asian Buddhism, Mahayana Buddhism, New Age Buddhism, Chinese Buddhism.. Then many Pagan Traditions have an eclectic form of Buddhism. .. - DNatureofDTrain

to me it is a philosophy because there is no god mentioned but it is conconcidered by the powers that be to me one of the 5 major religions of the world.

well, in truth, as a pure doctrine, it isnt a religion, but a philosophy (although there aren't that many ppl who believe this)... tis only later on in history that it becomes a religion... but thats the nature of man, and nothing to do with the teachings themselves.

Buddhism is very much theistic.Lord Buddha believe that there is a supreme power and that this power has created the life cycle. right from childhood he used to be struck by thoughts of self revelation and the purpose of existence.he realised that this purpose can not be achieved untill man totally makes his soul free of the temptations of the worldly pleasures which he referred to as 'Maya' and then only 'Nirvana'(salvation) could be achieved. this is what i remember from the lessons i was taught.i don't know what exactly Lamas are supposed to do.i feel their role must be the same as those of priests.they carry forward the teachings of buddha,but the supreme leader is thought to be the representative of buddha himself. The golden path which is the 'Middle Path' is what i find very good and is quite practical too.Maybe at a later stage i might want to follow it.as of now i am happy being myself.Lol. yes,I think Buddhism is a religion ,philosophy and more than that, a very good way of living.

Mankind for some reason seems to need a God. In every place I know a God or Gods get involved with Buddhism and make it into a Religion. In Thailand we have tied it back to the old Animistic beliefs that were present before Buddhism took hold and all most all Thais practise both. We have magic Monks who will cast your horoscope, tell you what is an auspicious day to get married, make magic amulets to protect you from harm and in general take Buddhism into the realm of religion. Thai Buddhism is a spice curry of Hindu, Animistic and Buddhist beliefs. In Japan Buddhism mixes with the Shinto religion and most people practice both. Tibetan Buddhism mixes in a healthy dose of the old Bon religion. Buddhism in its pure form is a philosophy but our hunger for a God has made it a religion.

I am sure that is a phylopzophy, but is very intersting phylozophy, and i am courious to read about hindu peoples. Maybe because peoples don t talk about this phylozophy is hard for us to understand what is in real. Maybe inedians must explain better something about their life and gods.