Criticism of Buddhism
Although Buddhism is generally seen as benign and peaceful in the West[citation needed], there is some criticism of it, from the anti-religious as well as from proponents of other religions.
Devotional practices
Many forms of Buddhism are nontheistic or even atheistic.[1][2][3]
Shravasti Dhammika has criticized Theravada for being superfluous - and sometimes damaging - in ritual and tradition,[4] while some forms of Mahayana, such as Pure Land[5] are theistic, and this form of Buddhism is criticized by atheistsTemplate:Who?.
Conversely, "New Atheism" proponent Richard Dawkins stated in his book The God Delusion that 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]
The writer Michael Parenti has criticized pre-Chinese Tibet for theocratic and feudal elements [11].
Contemporary writers
Christopher Hitchens is a vocal critic of Buddhism and the Dalai Lama.[12]
References
- ↑ Is Buddhism Atheistic?
- ↑ Buddhism is Atheist
- ↑ Buddhism and Atheism
- ↑ Broken Buddha
- ↑ Mahayana Buddhism and Japanese Thought see p.220 section
- ↑ Dawkins, Richard (2006). The God Delusion. Bantam Books. ISBN 0-618-68000-4.
- ↑ 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 Feudalism - The Tibet Myth
- ↑ 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.