Buddhism: Religion or Spirituality?
This is the second of the three talks given by Traleg Rinpoche at the 2010 Buddhist
Summer School held at Maitripa Contemplative Centre, Healesville.
We have been discussing the question posed by many people as to whether Buddhism is a form of spirituality or a religion. I think that the notion of religion and spirituality should go together. They should be in harmony, particularly if we follow our religious traditions properly. That’s the whole key, because we know that ‘religion’ is full of contradictions. Religion promotes violence and promotes peace. Religion says you should feast, and religion says you should fast. Religion says you should be socially engaged, and then it says be socially disengaged, live in isolation, become a hermit, grow your own vegetables or whatever. But religion says all of those things, that’s the truth. Religion says feast on your senses, and religion also says don’t feast on your senses, senses are bad, you will get distracted, you will go astray with what you see, smell, taste, touch. Religion does say all those things.
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