Is Buddhism a religion or a philosophy?
There is no deity in Buddhism. The original Buddha doesn’t claim to be a descendant from any heaven. There is creation story in Buddhism. And Buddha has no punishment power over people that don’t follow his teaching.
But let’s look into it more closely.
Religion or Philosophy: How is a religion defined?
Before we delve into Buddhism, let’s look at the common characteristics of a religion. It is important to remember that religions can vary greatly in practice and belief, but there are some characteristics that are often present: