“Good Buddhists don’t worship Buddha, nor do they pray to him. He’s not a god. “
You are correct. I know several Chinese who believe in Buddhism as a way of life, and believe in Jesus as their savior. They say the two paths are in perfect concordance.
* * *
Buddhism, as I understand it, is indeed a philosophy and approach to living, rather than a religion. However, it is widespread in the East, and has tended to mingle with the local earlier religion as it spread from place to place, resulting in some really interesting (and not terribly germane or appropriate) legends about the Buddha.
For instance, it mingled with the Bo religion in Tibet, resulting in some very colorful rituals featuring devil costumes and such, which has nothing at all to do with anything the Buddha ever said or did, but a lot to do with the earlier indigenous animistic religion.
You are correct. I know several Chinese who believe in Buddhism as a way of life, and believe in Jesus as their savior. They say the two paths are in perfect concordance."
I've spent a lot of time in South Korea where they have extensive temples. I've been in numerous temples which have been there since the beginning of the religion; 1000-2000 years. I've seen the 60 foot tall gold plated buddha built in 1200 AD.
Every single temple has a multitude of buddha icons. Many of which people bow down in worship too and dedicate offerings. You can argue that its a philosophy and not a religion but the evidence indicates otherwise.