Over the centuries, religious beliefs have accrued around the original teachings and many Buddhists do hold such religious ideas.
But the Buddha's teachings (assuming he really existed) have no religious baggage. They are about understanding yourself. It is perfectly compatible to accept Buddhist philosophy and also believe in some religion, or be an atheist.
*** They are about understanding yourself.***
My understanding is that it goes further than this. There is no Holy Spirit. Which means there is no God, nor any Jesus Christ.
I am not a student of Buddhism, other than I have discussed this with the few Buddhists that I do know. I have been told that they do NOT believe in any God, but I assert, if there isn’t one true God, then you have fashioned one for yourself.
I do not hold followers of Buddhism in contempt. On the contrary, I pray for them, that true wisdom comes to them.
Fear of the Lord is the beginning of Wisdom.
So in order to have Wisdom, you need to first understand that the Lord is real, not some fairy tale.
“ You can be both.”
“ It is perfectly compatible to accept Buddhist philosophy and also believe in some religion, or be an atheist.”
What gives you this idea?