Buddhism is both a philosophical system, a practical system and an experiential system.
Buddhist philosophy is the origin of Greek skepticism and can be largely understood in those terms.
Buddhism is practical because all Buddhist practice can be grouped into one or more of the Three Trainings, which are 1) morality, ethics; 2) mindfulness, samadhi; 3) wisdom, clear thinking.
Buddhism is experiential because, properly done, a Buddhist experiences the value of morality/ ethical behavior; the presence of mindfulness/ samadhi; the wisdom that arises in a pure mind devoid of egoic illusions.
These states of mind are available to all human beings. Buddhism does not expect you to be in those states of mind all the time.
But all of us can know and experience the joy of doing something kind and good, the bliss of having a clear conscience.
And we all can experience moments of profound mindfulness, profound concentration. Samadhi is consciousness minus the egoic self or any referent. It is pure consciousness. We can all experience that for at least a moment or two.
And all of us can, at times, experience selfless wisdom, the clear state of mind that transcends self-interest and bias.
Reverence, wonder, awe, wholesome pleasure are also good Buddhist behaviors. Anything conducive to wholesome states of mind is good Buddhism.
Seen in these way, Buddhism can be understood to be in rough agreement with all moral religions and philosophies and all moral religious and philosophical behavior.
Due to Buddhism’s emphasis on experience and skepticism of doctrinal beliefs, Buddhism largely eschews worshipping texts or words, images, people.
