Buddhism - Is it a religion? I disagreed from the very beginning, after understanding some Buddhist philosophy, that it is not a religion.

In my opinion, it is not a religion but a lifestyle or administration under which Buddhist teaching is practised.

Please clarify why it is classified as a religion.

PS: I have met many people specially from Nepal, who claim as a Buddhist monk but yet they don't seem to practice any Buddhist norms. And they even call me 'nastik' (one who don't believe in religion)
It depend on what you mean by the word religion.


  the belief in and worship of a superhuman controlling power, especially a personal God or gods


If you take above definition, Buddhism is not a religion.