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.
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 falsely alleges that the kamikaze attacks of WWII were inspired by Buddhism[10], even though the roots of kamikaze clearly 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 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
- ↑ http://www.buddhistische-gesellschaft-berlin.de/downloads/brokenbuddhanew.pdf
- ↑ http://ccbs.ntu.edu.tw/FULLTEXT/JR-PHIL/hideo.htm 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.