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using headers, attempt to re-organize criticism around underlying ideas (for cohesion & possible future development); move "4 Horseman" to note; +→See also: ; wikipipe HHDL
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Although Buddhism is generally seen as benign and peaceful in the West, there is some criticism of it, from the [[anti-religion|anti-religious]] as well as from other religions.
Although Buddhism is generally seen as benign and peaceful in the West, there is some criticism of it, from the [[anti-religion|anti-religious]] as well as from other religions.
==Devotional practices==
Many anti-religious people see Buddhism as just as (or almost as) superstitious and damaging as any other religion, even though many of its forms are [[nontheism|nontheistic]] or even [[atheism|atheistic]].<ref>[http://www.religionfacts.com/buddhism/beliefs/atheism.htm Is Buddhism Atheistic?]</ref><ref>[http://www.vexen.co.uk/religion/buddhism_atheism.html Buddhism is Atheist]</ref><ref>[http://atheism.about.com/b/2005/11/28/buddhism-and-atheism.htm Buddhism and Atheism]</ref>
Theravada is sometimes criticized for superfluous - and sometimes damaging - ritual and tradition,<ref>http://www.buddhistische-gesellschaft-berlin.de/downloads/brokenbuddhanew.pdf</ref> while some forms of Mahayana, such as Pure Land<ref>http://ccbs.ntu.edu.tw/FULLTEXT/JR-PHIL/hideo.htm see p.220 section</ref> are said to be theistic, and this form of Buddhism is [[Atheism#Rationale|criticized by atheists]]. 
Conversely, New Atheism proponet Richard Dawkins stated in the ''God Delusion'' that he regards Buddhism and Confucianism as ethical systems and philosophies rather than religions<ref>The God Delusion, Richard Dawkins</ref>, whereas Sam Harris, another prominent proponent of New Atheism, practices Buddhist meditation.<ref>Dawkins, Harris and Hitchens are considered three of the "[[Four Horsemen]]" of the "[[atheism|New Atheism]]".  See [http://richarddawkins.net/article,2025,THE-FOUR-HORSEMEN,Discussions-With-Richard-Dawkins-Episode-1-RDFRS 'THE FOUR HORSEMEN,' Discussions with Richard Dawkins: Episode 1, RDFRS - RichardDawkins.net<!-- Bot generated & editor modified title -->] and [http://daviddent.net/blog/2007/06/17/the-four-horsemen-of-the-new-atheism/ » Blog Archive » The Four Horsemen of the New Atheism<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> Harris believes that the term “Buddhism” should be removed entirely and that Buddhist meditation should leave the realm of religion and enter the realm of science.<ref>[http://www.samharris.org/media/killing_the_buddha.pdf Killing the Buddha] by Sam Harris</ref>


[[Adnan_Oktar|Harun Yahya]], a [[Muslim]], has criticized Buddhism for being idolatrous.<ref>[http://www.harunyahya.com/buddhism02.php Islam and Buddhism – Harun Yahyah]</ref>
[[Adnan_Oktar|Harun Yahya]], a [[Muslim]], has criticized Buddhism for being idolatrous.<ref>[http://www.harunyahya.com/buddhism02.php Islam and Buddhism – Harun Yahyah]</ref>
Many anti-religious people see Buddhism as just as (or almost as) superstitious and damaging as any other religion, even though many of its forms are [[nontheism|nontheistic]] or even [[atheism|atheistic]].<ref>[http://www.religionfacts.com/buddhism/beliefs/atheism.htm Is Buddhism Atheistic?]</ref><ref>[http://www.vexen.co.uk/religion/buddhism_atheism.html Buddhism is Atheist]</ref><ref>[http://atheism.about.com/b/2005/11/28/buddhism-and-atheism.htm Buddhism and Atheism]</ref> [[Christopher Hitchens]] is a vocal critic of Buddhism and the Dalai Lama.<ref>”There is No Eastern Solution", god Is Not Great: How Religion Poisons Everything, Christopher Hitchens</ref><ref>[http://www.salon.com/news/1998/07/13news His Material Highness] by Christopher Hitchens</ref>


However, Richard Dawkins stated in the God Delusion that he regards Buddhism and Confucianism as ethical systems and philosophies rather than religions<ref>The God Delusion, Richard Dawkins</ref>, whereas Sam Harris practices Buddhist meditation, but alleges that the [[kamikaze]] attacks of WWII were inspired by Buddhism<ref>”Ch. 7: Experiments in Consciousness”, The End of Faith, Sam Harris</ref>, even though the [[Kamikaze#Cultural_background|roots of kamikaze]] lie within the [[Bushido|bushido]] code and is closer related to [[Shintoism]], the [[State religion|State Religion]] of [[Japan]] at the time. Harris believes that the term “Buddhism” should be removed entirely and that Buddhist meditation should leave the realm of religion and enter the realm of science.<ref>[http://www.samharris.org/media/killing_the_buddha.pdf Killing the Buddha] by Sam Harris</ref> These three are considered three of the "[[Four Horsemen]]" of the "[[atheism|New Atheism]]".<ref>[http://richarddawkins.net/article,2025,THE-FOUR-HORSEMEN,Discussions-With-Richard-Dawkins-Episode-1-RDFRS 'THE FOUR HORSEMEN - Available Now on DVD!' by Discussions With Richard Dawkins: Episode 1, RDFRS - RichardDawkins.net<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref><ref>[http://daviddent.net/blog/2007/06/17/the-four-horsemen-of-the-new-atheism/ » Blog Archive » The Four Horsemen of the New Atheism<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
==Buddhist nations==
 
Sam Harris also alleges that the [[kamikaze]] attacks of WWII were inspired by Buddhism<ref>”Ch. 7: Experiments in Consciousness”, The End of Faith, Sam Harris</ref>, even though the [[Kamikaze#Cultural_background|roots of kamikaze]] lie within the [[Bushido|bushido]] code and is closer related to [[Shintoism]], the [[State religion|State Religion]] of [[Japan]] at the time.


Buddhist nations are sometimes criticized for theocratic and feudal elements, such as pre-Chinese Tibet<ref>[http://www.michaelparenti.org/Tibet.html Friendly Fuedalism - The Tibet Myth<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> and Bhutan.<ref>[http://www.geocities.com/articlesonbhutan/revivalism_pages/revivalistdrukpa.htm Revivalist Drukpas and fundamentalism<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
Buddhist nations are sometimes criticized for theocratic and feudal elements, such as pre-Chinese Tibet<ref>[http://www.michaelparenti.org/Tibet.html Friendly Fuedalism - The Tibet Myth<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> and Bhutan.<ref>[http://www.geocities.com/articlesonbhutan/revivalism_pages/revivalistdrukpa.htm Revivalist Drukpas and fundamentalism<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>


Theravada is sometimes criticized for superfluous - and sometimes damaging - ritual and tradition,<ref>http://www.buddhistische-gesellschaft-berlin.de/downloads/brokenbuddhanew.pdf</ref> while some forms of Mahayana, such as Pure Land<ref>http://ccbs.ntu.edu.tw/FULLTEXT/JR-PHIL/hideo.htm see p.220 section</ref> are said to be theistic, and this form of Buddhism is [[Atheism#Rationale|criticized by atheists]].
==Contemporary leaders==
 
[[Christopher Hitchens]] is a vocal critic of Buddhism and the [[Tenzin Gyatso, 14th Dalai Lama|Dalai Lama]].<ref>”There is No Eastern Solution", god Is Not Great: How Religion Poisons Everything, Christopher Hitchens</ref><ref>[http://www.salon.com/news/1998/07/13news His Material Highness] by Christopher Hitchens</ref>
 
==See also==
* [[Buddhist devotion]]
* [[Dalai Lama]]
* [[Kamikaze]]


==Notes==
==Notes==

Revision as of 14:48, 4 May 2008

Template:Buddhism

Although Buddhism is generally seen as benign and peaceful in the West, there is some criticism of it, from the anti-religious as well as from other religions.

Devotional practices

Many anti-religious people see Buddhism as just as (or almost as) superstitious and damaging as any other religion, even though many of its forms are nontheistic or even atheistic.[1][2][3]

Theravada is sometimes criticized for superfluous - and sometimes damaging - ritual and tradition,[4] while some forms of Mahayana, such as Pure Land[5] are said to be theistic, and this form of Buddhism is criticized by atheists.

Conversely, New Atheism proponet Richard Dawkins stated in the God Delusion that he regards Buddhism and Confucianism as ethical systems and philosophies rather than religions[6], whereas Sam Harris, another prominent proponent of New Atheism, practices Buddhist meditation.[7] Harris believes that the term “Buddhism” should be removed entirely and that Buddhist meditation should leave the realm of religion and enter the realm of science.[8]

Harun Yahya, a Muslim, has criticized Buddhism for being idolatrous.[9]

Buddhist nations

Sam Harris also alleges that the kamikaze attacks of WWII were inspired by Buddhism[10], even though the roots of kamikaze lie within the bushido code and is closer related to Shintoism, the State Religion of Japan at the time.

Buddhist nations are sometimes criticized for theocratic and feudal elements, such as pre-Chinese Tibet[11] and Bhutan.[12]

Contemporary leaders

Christopher Hitchens is a vocal critic of Buddhism and the Dalai Lama.[13][14]

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ Is Buddhism Atheistic?
  2. ↑ Buddhism is Atheist
  3. ↑ Buddhism and Atheism
  4. ↑ http://www.buddhistische-gesellschaft-berlin.de/downloads/brokenbuddhanew.pdf
  5. ↑ http://ccbs.ntu.edu.tw/FULLTEXT/JR-PHIL/hideo.htm see p.220 section
  6. ↑ The God Delusion, Richard Dawkins
  7. ↑ Dawkins, Harris and Hitchens are considered three of the "Four Horsemen" of the "New Atheism". See 'THE FOUR HORSEMEN,' Discussions with Richard Dawkins: Episode 1, RDFRS - RichardDawkins.net and » Blog Archive » The Four Horsemen of the New Atheism
  8. ↑ Killing the Buddha by Sam Harris
  9. ↑ Islam and Buddhism – Harun Yahyah
  10. ↑ ”Ch. 7: Experiments in Consciousness”, The End of Faith, Sam Harris
  11. ↑ Friendly Fuedalism - The Tibet Myth
  12. ↑ Revivalist Drukpas and fundamentalism
  13. ↑ ”There is No Eastern Solution", god Is Not Great: How Religion Poisons Everything, Christopher Hitchens
  14. ↑ His Material Highness by Christopher Hitchens

Template:Criticism of religion

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