The original teachings of the Buddha do not make reference to a deity, to rituals, or to an unseen world such as heaven or hell.

The original teachings of the Buddha do not make reference to a deity, to rituals, or to an unseen world such as heaven or hell. However, Mahayana version of Buddhism which is popular in China, Korea, and Japan makes references to all of the above. Accordingly, there are those who view Buddhism as a philosophy and there are others who view it as a religion. What is your opinion on this issue? Is Buddhism a philosophy or a religion?