What is essential for a tradition to be called a religion?

For a tradition to be considered a religion, it typically must encompass a system of beliefs, practices, and values centered around the understanding of existence, the universe, and the divine or sacred. It often includes rituals, moral codes, and a community of followers who share these beliefs. Additionally, religions usually provide answers to existential questions and offer a framework for understanding life and death. Finally, the tradition should have a historical or cultural continuity that sustains its practices and beliefs over time.