Criticism of 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.

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

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. Christopher Hitchens is a vocal critic of Buddhism and the Dalai Lama.

However, Richard Dawkins stated in the God Delusion that he regards Buddhism and Confucianism as ethical systems and philosophies rather than religions, whereas Sam Harris practices Buddhist meditation, but alledges that the kamikaze attacks of WWII were inspired by Buddhism, 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. 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. These three are considered three of the "Four Horsemen" of the "New Atheism".

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

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