user6925: When does an ideology become a religion rather than just philosophy (which is just a way of living)? Does each has any specific definition? or it depends upon person to person perception?

user8157: Buddhism is not ideology, not religion, not philosophy and not even a way of life. 
Instead, Buddhism is a methodology that ends suffering & problems.  
In MN 29, while Buddhism is described as the 'holy way of life', it is made clear this way of life has one goal & purpose, namely, 'the unshakeable freedom of mind'.
Such a methodology becomes ideology, religion &/or philosophy when it is not practised and therefore the results of its practise are not understood.
In addition, it becomes ideology, religion &/or philosophy when it starts to emphasise ideas such as reincarnation, which serve certain mutual worldly interests of monks & laypeople. 

6925: <p>When does an ideology become a religion rather than just philosophy (which is just a way of living)? Does each has any specific definition? or it depends upon person to person perception?</p>
 8157: <p>Buddhism is not ideology, not religion, not philosophy and not even a way of life. </p>

<p>Instead, Buddhism is a methodology that ends suffering &amp; problems.  </p>

<p>In <a href="https://suttacentral.net/en/mn29" rel="nofollow noreferrer">MN 29</a>, while Buddhism is described as the '<em>holy way of life</em>', it is made clear this way of life has one goal &amp; purpose, namely, '<em>the unshakeable freedom of mind</em>'.</p>

<p>Such a methodology becomes ideology, religion &amp;/or philosophy when it is not practised and therefore the results of its practise are not understood.</p>

<p>In addition, it becomes ideology, religion &amp;/or philosophy when it starts to emphasise ideas such as reincarnation, which serve certain mutual worldly interests of monks &amp; laypeople. </p>
