The most obvious difference between religion and spirituality is the former exists within a structured organization while the latter does not. Another important difference to consider is that religion is generally materialistic whereas spirituality seeks a transcendent reality beyond the reaches of the material. This is nowhere more evident than in Christianity where there is still an ugly divide between orthodoxy and gnosticism.
From what as been said so far Buddhism, we can say, was born out of spirituality—not religion. And to the extent that it relies on a religious structure the spiritual content of Buddhism remains more or less hidden for those who follow it religiously.
If I decide to visit my local Dharma center or Zen center, I am entering a religious organization that has structure. There is hierarchy, too. I will have to learn my place and follow my teachers. So far this may appear okay but in my own experience of having been a member of several Dharma centers, the spiritual message of Buddhism is very seldom taught if at all. It is something you have to do on your own.
Sometimes organization and structure are necessary but in religion its seems almost counterproductive since it only serves to hide the spiritual content of religion. On this same score, I have to say it is much easier to add organization and structure to Buddhism than spirituality. It is easier to crank out conformists than spiritual seekers, in other words.
If anything, too much organization and structure inevitably end up laying the foundation for a kind of institutional insanity. It is often the case that those who are most blind will be found leading the unsure blind.
If Buddhism is to serve as a guiding light out of the dark valley of spiritual blindness so that we might find our real Buddha-nature, then it is going to have to stop thinking like a modern structured religion. I would rather see twenty-five people chip in fifty bucks or so a month and rent part of an old building, then use the place for discussions, conversations, and meditation; inviting anyone they wish to talk about a particular subject of Buddhism, and leave it at that. Admittedly, this is not spiritual but neither is it religious.
Spirituality has none of the mentally parasitic features of a mind-virus: http://rational-buddhism.blogspot.com/2012/01/metameme.html
Posted by: Sean Robsville | January 26, 2012 at 04:08 AM