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An Agnostic Buddhist

  • Writer: Rob Amo
    Rob Amo
  • Apr 30
  • 9 min read

Updated: May 19


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Deep DiveRob Amo

Is Buddhism a religion?


Imagine you have a box labeled "Religion." Does Buddhism fit neatly inside? Well, it's a bit complicated, but here's the main idea:


Why many people say "Yes, Buddhism is a religion":


  • It has teachings and guidance: Buddhism offers deep ideas about life, suffering, and how to find happiness and peace (like the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path).


  • It has practices: Buddhists often meditate, follow ethical guidelines (like the Five Precepts – don't kill, steal, lie, etc.), and sometimes participate in rituals or ceremonies.


  • It has communities and traditions: There are Buddhist monks and nuns, temples, and long-established traditions passed down through generations.


  • It answers big life questions: Like many religions, Buddhism explores questions about the meaning of life, what happens after death (concepts like rebirth and karma), and how to be a good person.


  • It has a founder: Siddhartha Gautama, known as the Buddha, is the central figure whose teachings form the basis of Buddhism.


Why some people say it's "different" or "more than just a religion":



  • No Creator God: This is a big one. Many well-known religions focus on a God or gods who created the world and are worshipped. Traditional Buddhism doesn't focus on a creator God in the same way. Instead, it emphasizes self-reliance and personal effort to achieve enlightenment.


  • Focus on personal experience: Buddhism encourages people to understand things for themselves through practice and insight, rather than just having blind faith. It's sometimes described as a "science of the mind" or a "philosophy."


  • It can be a "way of life": Many people practice Buddhist principles like mindfulness and compassion as a way to live a better, more peaceful life, even if they don't consider themselves "religious" in a traditional sense.


So, what's the simplest answer?



  • If you think of a religion as a system with teachings, practices, communities, and ways to understand life's big questions, then yes, Buddhism fits that description.


  • However, because it doesn't center on a creator God and highly values personal experience, some people see it more as a philosophy or a path to spiritual development that can stand alongside other beliefs.


In short: Buddhism has many features of a religion, but its unique focus (especially the part about not having a central creator God) means it's sometimes seen in a broader way. It can be a religion, a philosophy, a way of life, or even all three for different people!


Religion requires blind faith. That's what makes a religion.


That's a common understanding, and it's true that for many people, faith, sometimes seen as belief without direct proof, is a central part of what religion means to them. If your definition of religion hinges specifically on "blind faith" – meaning belief without question or personal investigation – then it makes sense why you'd categorize belief systems based on that.

Here's how that perspective relates to the discussion about Buddhism and the broader concept of religion:



  1. Varied Definitions of "Religion": The tricky thing is that "religion" doesn't have one single, universally agreed-upon definition. Some definitions, like yours, might emphasize unquestioning faith. Other definitions focus more on shared rituals, moral frameworks, community, or a connection to the sacred or ultimate concerns, where the nature of "faith" might be different.


  2. Different Kinds of Faith: Even the concept of "faith" can mean different things:

    • Blind Faith: As you mentioned, believing without needing evidence or allowing for questions.

    • Trust-Based Faith: This could be trust in teachings, a teacher, or a tradition because they resonate, seem wise, or have been seen to help others. This trust might encourage someone to explore the path further.

    • Faith Born of Experience: For some, faith isn't blind at the start and can grow stronger through personal experiences, insights, or practices that seem to confirm the value of the teachings.


  3. Buddhism and Faith: This is where Buddhism often sparks discussion.

    • Many Buddhist traditions encourage questioning and personal investigation. The Buddha himself is said to have encouraged his followers not to accept his teachings blindly but to test them for themselves, like a goldsmith tests gold. This is why some people argue it's not based on "blind faith."

    • However, "faith" (often translated from words like saddhā) is an important concept in Buddhism. It can mean confidence or trust in the Buddha's awakening, the truth of his teachings (Dharma), and the community of practitioners (Sangha). For many Buddhists, this initial trust inspires them to practice, and through practice, they hope to gain direct understanding. So, it's often seen as a faith that ideally leads to wisdom and personal verification, rather than remaining purely blind.


So, if your definition of religion requires blind faith as its core component, you might conclude that systems that don't emphasize or operate primarily on blind faith are something else—perhaps a philosophy, a spiritual path, or a way of life.

It highlights how our personal definitions shape our understanding of these complex concepts.


But you have to have faith that the rituals you do have merit, and it isn't just men in funny hats making promises we can't verify.


You've hit on a really important point that many people, both inside and outside of religious or spiritual traditions, think about! It's true that when you participate in rituals or accept teachings, there's often a layer of trust or faith involved, especially when the ultimate outcomes or "promises" aren't immediately or scientifically verifiable.



Let's break down what that "faith" might look like in the context of rituals and authority:



  1. Faith in the Process or Intention: For many, the faith isn't necessarily blind belief that a specific supernatural event will occur because of a ritual. Instead, it might be:

    • Trust in the tradition: Believing that a practice passed down through generations holds wisdom or has benefited others.

    • Faith in the intention: Believing that performing the ritual with a sincere heart or right intention (e.g., to cultivate kindness, reduce suffering, connect with a community, or honor something sacred) has inherent value, regardless of a provable external outcome.

    • Psychological or Communal Benefit: Having faith that the ritual provides comfort, a sense of belonging, meaning, focus, or helps to reinforce ethical values for oneself and the community. These effects can often be personally experienced, even if the metaphysical claims aren't testable.


  2. The Role of Authority ("Men in Funny Hats"): Your point about "men in funny hats" (referring to religious leaders or figures in ceremonial attire) touches on the role of authority and the trust placed in them.

    • In many traditions, these figures are seen as custodians of knowledge, experienced practitioners, or moral guides. The "faith" placed in them might be earned through their perceived wisdom, ethical behavior, or ability to explain teachings in a meaningful way.

    • However, you're right to imply that this can be a point of skepticism. Healthy skepticism often leads individuals to question whether authority is being used wisely or if the teachings genuinely lead to the promised inner or outer benefits. Many traditions also have internal mechanisms or teachings that encourage discernment, even towards religious figures.


  3. Verification – What Does it Mean? This is a key question.


    • If verification means purely scientific, empirical proof of a supernatural claim, then yes, many religious "promises" cannot be verified in that way.

    • However, for many practitioners, "verification" is more personal and experiential. It might mean:

      • "Does this practice make me a kinder, more compassionate, or more peaceful person?"

      • "Do these teachings help me make sense of my life and navigate challenges?"

      • "Does engaging with this community and its rituals bring a sense of connection and purpose?"

      • Over time, if the answer to these kinds of questions is "yes," then that becomes a form of personal verification of the tradition's merit for that individual.


  4. : In a Buddhist context, for example, while rituals exist, the emphasis is often on the practitioner's understanding and intention. A ritual done mindlessly might be seen as having little benefit. The "merit" comes from the wholesome mental states cultivated (like generosity, mindfulness, compassion) during the ritual. The idea is that these positive actions of body, speech, and mind plant seeds that will lead to positive future experiences (karma), which is a principle one is encouraged to investigate and understand through practice, rather than just accept blindly.


So, you're right – if one is looking for the kind of proof we expect from a science experiment for every aspect of a spiritual path, it often won't be there for the more metaphysical claims. The "faith" involved is often more about trusting that the path, practices, and ethical teachings, when sincerely engaged with, will lead to a positive transformation or deeper understanding within oneself and one's life. It's a trust that ideally is open to being tested by personal experience and critical reflection, rather than being completely blind to any evidence or personal impact.



We need to experience the truth for ourselves, and not just take someone's word for it.


That's a powerful statement, and it resonates deeply with many spiritual and philosophical traditions, including a core tenet of Buddhism. The idea that true understanding comes from direct, personal experience, rather than just accepting someone else's word for it, is highly valued.




Here's why that perspective is so significant:


  1. Authentic Understanding: When you experience something for yourself, the understanding is yours. It's integrated, embodied, and much more profound than information that's merely memorized or accepted second-hand. This is the difference between reading a travel guide and actually visiting the place.


  2. Empowerment and Responsibility: This approach places the responsibility for discovering truth on the individual. It's empowering because it suggests that you have the capacity to discern what is true and meaningful through your own investigation and practice.


  3. The Kalama Sutta (A Buddhist Example): This principle is famously illustrated in the Kalama Sutta, a Buddhist scripture. In it, the Buddha advises the Kalama people, who were confused by many differing teachings, not to believe something just because:

    • it is often repeated,

    • it is in scriptures,

    • it is spoken by an authority figure,

    • it is based on tradition, or

    • it seems logical on the surface. Instead, he encouraged them to investigate for themselves: "When you yourselves know: 'These things are good; these things are not blameworthy; these things are praised by the wise; undertaken and observed, these things lead to benefit and happiness,' then you should live and act accordingly." This is a clear call for experiential validation. 


  4. Beyond Blind Faith: This directly addresses the concerns about "blind faith." If personal experience is the benchmark, then faith isn't about believing without evidence; it might be better described as a working trust or confidence that inspires one to undertake the practices that lead to direct insight.


  5. The Role of Guidance: This doesn't necessarily mean rejecting all guidance. Teachers, texts, and traditions can offer a map, tools, or point the way. But ultimately, you have to walk the path yourself and see if the map corresponds to the territory you experience. The guidance is a support for your own journey of discovery, not a substitute for it.


Your statement highlights a crucial aspect of seeking truth, especially in spiritual or existential matters. It emphasizes wisdom gained through direct engagement with life and one's own mind, which is a cornerstone of many contemplative practices.


An agnostic Buddhist.


That sounds like a very thoughtful and fitting way to describe your perspective, especially given our conversation. The term "agnostic Buddhist" captures a nuanced position that many people find resonates with them.

Here's why that combination makes a lot of sense:


  • Agnosticism and Unverifiable Claims: The "agnostic" part acknowledges a stance of not claiming to know, or perhaps believing it's impossible to know, the absolute truth about ultimate realities that are beyond personal, verifiable experience – such as the existence or nature of God, or definitive details about an afterlife. This aligns with your emphasis on not just taking someone's word for things that can't be personally verified.


  • Buddhism and Experiential Path: The "Buddhist" part can embrace the core principles, ethical guidelines, meditative practices, and the path to wisdom and compassion that Buddhism offers – aspects which can be explored and experienced personally. As we discussed, Buddhism (particularly as exemplified in teachings like the Kalama Sutta) encourages direct inquiry and understanding the truth for oneself.


    • Many find that Buddhist practices like mindfulness, meditation, and ethical conduct offer tangible benefits and insights into the nature of their own minds and experiences, regardless of their beliefs about more metaphysical aspects.


This approach allows for an engagement with the practical and transformative aspects of Buddhist teachings without requiring adherence to beliefs that may feel unverifiable. It prioritizes personal experience and ethical living, which are central to the Buddhist path.


Many contemporary practitioners find that an agnostic or secular approach to Buddhism allows them to derive immense value from its teachings on wisdom, ethics, and mental cultivation, focusing on how these can be applied to improve their lives and the lives of others in the here and now.


It's a position that respects both the limits of human knowledge and the potential for human growth and understanding through direct experience.


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© 2025 by Rob Amo   

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