[quote]It still relies on belief in supernatural structure of the universe with demons and reincarnation and what not. [/quote]it doesn't teach these things though. You do not believe separate objects don't really exist because you are a Buddhist, you are a Buddhist because you believe separate objects don't really exist. There is a subtle difference. Buddhism is about creating the mindset from which 'the truth' will arise, whatever that truth is. it has nothing to do with teaching the specific beliefs that follow. [quote]And it does teach a set of rules to follow to reach Nirvana.[/quote]No it doesn't. Any Buddhist worth his salt will tell you that in order to reach enlightenment the first thing you do is stop trying to reach it. The eightfold path exists because it is what the Buddha thought would create the best conditions for enlightenment to arise. People follow it as if it were gospel because people will always find something to follow as if it were gospel. You're going to claim 'no true Scotsman' fallacy on me now, but lots of people mistakenly believe Buddhism is all about reading the scriptures or teaching the Buddha or the wheel of life or reincarnation, when these are all frills and pomp and extra canon to the main event, which is about creating a person who can see the world without the filters his mind puts in front of him. That's it.