> I'd describe it--a non-religion whose focus is on tranquility.
The reason white people invented Buddhism 150 years ago or whenever was explicitly to be a religion. This was in order to provide an argument against western imperialism, among other reasons.
I haven't read the books he cites, but if you listen to the Buddhist Geeks podcast (and really everyone should) then the differences between modern buddhism(s) and traditional buddhism(s) is a recurring theme.
You can (and many do) just follow the simple teachings of the Buddha that lived 2500 years ago. You don't have to buy into any ideologies you don't want to.
Ok since everyone here is too timid to call you out.
What do you mean by "White People?" You do know there are tons of Asian ethnicities and I'd imagine many of them would take offense at being lumped in with western "white people."
The reason white people invented Buddhism 150 years ago or whenever was explicitly to be a religion. This was in order to provide an argument against western imperialism, among other reasons.