Distinction between essence and reality of religion: Solving ambiguity in the method of phenomenology of religion

Phenomenology of religion، especially in 20th century، as a method or an approach in study of religion، was applied like a Supplementary method for history of religion to discover a unit “essence” from plural phenomena. On the other hand، for commitment to methodology basics is required _ which is mostly influenced by Edmund Husserl`s phenomenology _ “reality” of religion is considered as an intersubjective reality that is substantively different from theological reality. In this essay، it is attempted to explain the distinction between firstly “essence” and “reality” of religion in phenomenology of religion and secondly phenomenological and theological reality of religion by expressing distinctions and similarities of phenomenology of religion and phenomenology of Husserl. In Conclusion، it is pointed that paying no attention to this important distinction leads to failure in religious studies، including phenomenological studies.