Description
Book SynopsisAn ideal introduction to Buddhism for anyone who has unanswered questions about one of the world's largest and most popular religions.
Table of ContentsIntroduction 1
Part I Buddhism in History 5
“Buddhism is both one and many” 7
“The Buddha is only a man who achieved Awakening” 11
“Buddhism is an Indian religion” 18
“Buddhism is the cult of nothingness” 23
“Buddhism is a philosophy, not a religion” 27
“All Buddhists are seeking to achieve Awakening” 34
“Buddhism teaches the impermanence of all things” 39
“The belief in karma leads to fatalism” 44
“Buddhism denies the existence of a self” 49
“Buddhism teaches reincarnation” 52
Part II Buddhism and Local Cultures 57
“Buddhism is an atheistic religion” 59
“Buddhism is above all a spirituality” 66
“The Dalai Lama is the spiritual leader of Buddhism” 71
“To be Buddhist is to be Zen” 76
Part III Buddhism and Society 83
“Buddhism is a tolerant religion” 85
“Buddhism teaches compassion” 89
“Buddhism is a peaceful religion” 93
“Buddhism affirms that we are all equal” 99
“Buddhism is compatible with science” 104
“Buddhism is a kind of therapy” 112
“Buddhism advocates a strict vegetarianism” 118
“Buddhism is a universalist teaching” 122
“Buddhism is a religion of monks” 129
Conclusion: Buddhism or Neo-Buddhism? 139
Glossary 143
A Short Bibliography 151
Index 153
