Criticism of Buddhism
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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.
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[edit] 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 Buddhism[5] are theistic, and this form of Buddhism is criticized by atheists[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]
[edit] 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].
[edit] Contemporary writers
Christopher Hitchens is a vocal critic of Buddhism and the Dalai Lama.[12]
[edit] 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, Chapter Fourteen: There Is No "Eastern" Solution. ISBN 978-0-446-57980-3.
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