Unmasking Buddhism

Description

This book presents an ideal introduction to Buddhism for anyone who has unanswered questions about one of the world's largest and most popular religions. This is a fascinating, short book that challenges us to strip away existing preconceptions we may have about Buddhism.
It considers questions such as: Can we talk of Buddhism as a unified religion or are there many Buddhisms? Is Buddhism a religion of tolerance and pacifism as many people think? And is Buddhism a religion without god(s), or is it more of a philosophy than a religion?
The book also traces the basic history, beliefs and nature of Buddhism in easy-to-understand language. Written by renowned Buddhist scholar, Bernard Faure, it is an ideal introduction for anyone who has unanswered questions about one of the world's largest and most popular religions.

Author description

Bernard Faure is Kao Professor in Japanese Religion at Columbia University. He has published a number of books in French and English, including: The Rhetoric of Immediacy: A Cultural Critique of Chan/Zen Buddhism (1991); Chan Insights and Oversights: An Epistemological Critique of the Chan Tradition (1993); Visions of Power: Imagining Medieval Japanese Buddhism (1996); The Red Thread: Buddhist Approaches to Sexuality (1998); The Power of Denial: Buddhism, Purity, and Gender (2003); and Double Exposure (2004). He is presently working on a book on Japanese Gods and Demons.

Table of contents

(I created the toc using a free translation tool so apologies if it doesn't make complete sense!).Introduction.Part One - Buddhism in history.There is both one Buddhism and many Buddhisms..The Buddha is a man who achieved Enlightenment..Buddhism is an Indian religion..Buddhism is the worship of nothingness..Part Two -Buddhist doctrine.Buddhism is not a religion, but a philosophy..All Buddhists try to obtain Enlightenment..Buddhism identifies the impermanence of all things..The dogma of karma leads to fatalism..Buddhism denies the existence of the ego..Buddhists believe in a cycle of death and rebirth..Part Three - Buddhism and local cultures.Buddhism is a religion without god(s)..Buddhism is predominantly spiritual, the rites are secondary..The Dalai-Lama is the spiritual leader of Buddhism..All Buddhist art is marked with serenity..To be Buddhist is to be Zen..Part Four - Buddhism and Society.Buddhism is a tolerant religion..Buddhism is a peaceful religion..Buddhism asserts the equality of all..Conclusion.Glossary