Like most good questions, the answer is: BOTH! Buddhism is without question a means of spiritual expression and practice, and so is both worship and mode of living. It is perhaps a bit more practical than some other religions, not better than any other, but makes the link between belief system and way of living more obvious, more central to the religion.

I was brought up in a Christian household, but never found anything rewarding or meaningful in the quasi-mediaeval preaching that we had to endure for hours as kids. It simply wasn't relevant. The only practical aspect was the general 'teachings' of Jesus, and the Commandments. Buddhism is not only practical, it is practical in the way it teaches; the Buddha himself was a master at reducing seemingly hopeless and complex human situations to the most completely understandable stories that leave you thinking "is it really that simple?" And in most cases, yes, it is.

It's about comparing your present situation to those of others. Understanding others are in a worse way than you not only makes you feel a bit better about your situation, but promotes compassion towards those less fortunate.

I love Buddhism for its lack of condemnation. It is only really concerned with fashioning more contented, calm human beings through simple, but very many(!) examples from history and life. I have found it the most rewarding of religions for me personally, but I remain with a huge interest in, and respect for, other religions. I have to be honest and say I never really understood people who try to live their lives according to only their own teachings. It seems a bit of an arrogant way of going about things, not learning from other people's experiences and ways of looking at life. But that's another argument...

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