Criticism of Buddhism: Difference between revisions
wikademia>Saimdusan →Devotional practices: Moved "New Atheism" reference |
wikademia>Saimdusan →Devotional practices: Put in what Dawkins actually said (I was the one who originally misquoted him in this article, just checked that part of the God Delusion) |
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[[Theravada]] is sometimes criticized for superfluous - and sometimes damaging - ritual and tradition,<ref>[http://www.buddhistische-gesellschaft-berlin.de/downloads/brokenbuddhanew.pdf Broken Buddha]</ref> while some forms of [[Mahayana]], such as Pure Land<ref>[http://ccbs.ntu.edu.tw/FULLTEXT/JR-PHIL/hideo.htm Mahayana Buddhism and Japanese Thought] see p.220 section</ref> are said to be theistic, and this form of Buddhism is [[Atheism#Rationale|criticized by atheists]]. | [[Theravada]] is sometimes criticized for superfluous - and sometimes damaging - ritual and tradition,<ref>[http://www.buddhistische-gesellschaft-berlin.de/downloads/brokenbuddhanew.pdf Broken Buddha]</ref> while some forms of [[Mahayana]], such as Pure Land<ref>[http://ccbs.ntu.edu.tw/FULLTEXT/JR-PHIL/hideo.htm Mahayana Buddhism and Japanese Thought] 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 | Conversely, "New Atheism" proponet [[Richard Dawkins]] stated in the ''God Delusion'' that he there is a case to be made for seeing Buddhism and Confucianism as ethical systems and philosophies rather than religions<ref>The God Delusion, Richard Dawkins</ref>, whereas [[Sam Harris (author)|Sam Harris]], another prominent proponent of New Atheism,<ref>Dawkins, Harris, Hitchens and [[Daniel Dennett]] have been described as 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> practices Buddhist meditation. 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> | ||
Revision as of 02:56, 3 June 2008
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 there is a case to be made for seeing Buddhism and Confucianism as ethical systems and philosophies rather than religions[6], whereas Sam Harris, another prominent proponent of New Atheism,[7] practices Buddhist meditation. 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 argues that the kamikaze attacks of WWII were inspired by Buddhism.[10]
Buddhist nations are sometimes criticized for theocratic and feudal elements, such as pre-Chinese Tibet[11] and Bhutan.[12]
Contemporary writers
Christopher Hitchens is a vocal critic of Buddhism and the Dalai Lama.[13]
See also
Notes
- ↑ Is Buddhism Atheistic?
- ↑ Buddhism is Atheist
- ↑ Buddhism and Atheism
- ↑ Broken Buddha
- ↑ Mahayana Buddhism and Japanese Thought see p.220 section
- ↑ The God Delusion, Richard Dawkins
- ↑ Dawkins, Harris, Hitchens and Daniel Dennett have been described as 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
- ↑ Killing the Buddha by Sam Harris
- ↑ Islam and Buddhism – Harun Yahyah
- ↑ ”Ch. 7: Experiments in Consciousness”, The End of Faith, Sam Harris
- ↑ Friendly Fuedalism - The Tibet Myth
- ↑ Revivalist Drukpas and fundamentalism
- ↑ Hitchens, Christopher (2007). God Is Not Great: How Religion Poisons Everything. Twelve Books, Hachette Book Group. pp. Chapter Fourteen: There Is No "Eastern" Solution. ISBN 978-0-446-57980-3.