Faced with the expansion of Buddhist practice throughout the world, numerous controversies have arisen concerning this precept at the most unexpected times. Indeed, criticism of Buddhism comes from many people, namely: individuals who do not adhere to this practice, various entities, followers, even senior leaders of the Buddhist religion. Therefore, the discussions and debates are focused on varied and delicate subjects which considerably encroach on the image of this precept. Through this article, you will be able to understand the salient points of this practice and you will then be able to form your own idea about Buddhist meditation.
Buddhism: can we really trust its pacifist image?
Buddhism has always been synonymous with peace and love on all levels for many people. However, unfortunate events ruin this beautiful image of Epinal. Indeed, a series of events seems to indicate that the Buddhist religion would support harmful acts. According to a documentary made by Barbet Schroeder, which highlights criticism of Buddhism, a Buddhist monk respected by the Burmese population incited believers to burn villages.
The aim was to massacre villagers who had joined a Muslim minority, namely the Rohingyas. According to medieval Tibetan tales, teachers would break the bones of their students so that they could heal them in a magical way afterwards. Stories even speak of the assassination of corrupt kings carried out by lesser people in order to preserve Buddhism in Tibet. According to critics, it even seems that Buddhists were frequently violent against Christian, Muslim or Hindu communities.
The hidden face of the Dalai Lama
The lineage of the Dalai Lamas proves to be the supreme lineage of reincarnation sought in the Tibetan Buddhism as well as in the history of Tibet. Currently, at the age of 80, the present Dalai Lama, XIV of the lineage was born on July 6, 1935 in Taktser, Qinghai Province, Republic of China, Shihuiyao Hui County, Ping'an. Behind the epinal image from which Tibetan Buddhism benefits in the West, a darker and more critical hidden side has been revealed.
Indeed, Dalai Lama is renowned for his face displaying a radiant smile, full of empathy. At all times, he demonstrated pacifism, which earned him the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989. However, criticism of Buddhism contradicts this assertion by arguing that the spiritual leader of the Tibetans are not as zen as they would have us believe.
The absence of moral police in Buddhism
For years, accusations have been made against many llamas for many reasons. Indeed, no condemnation has been issued by the highest Buddhist authorities to date even though numerous accusations have been raised, particularly against the Tibetan. Thus, acts such as violence and sexual abuse, deemed reprehensible, however, remain unpunished.
The criticism of Buddhism does not miss the opportunity to highlight the absence of moral policing in Buddhist meditation. Note that the Buddhism religion deplores injustice in all its forms, which is rather contradictory regarding the lack of control in this practice.
The instrumentalization of Buddhism on the Western side
The West has always put Buddhism on a pedestal since the 70s, because of its peaceful and beneficial image. Several parameters can justify the expansion of the pictorial image of Tibetan Buddhism in the West, among others, the instrumentalization of this practice by 19th century authors. They frequently distorted their judgment to assert their conceptions of the world and spiritual life.
At the same time, certain followers of Buddhism supported these visions so that they would be acceptable in the West. It seems that various rituals have been renovated in Western style. Indeed, the explanation as well as the origin of certain practices inherent to Buddhism are not well understood by Westerners.
The magical or sexual scope of the practices generally fall outside the logical framework of Western values. The critique of Buddhism underlines the fact that Tibetan Buddhism does not constitute a homogeneous whole but rather remains diverse.
Debates concerning the place of women in the Buddhist religion
In the religious chronicles of the Buddha, woman is considered an inferior being, whether from a religious or civil point of view. Her mother, the widowed Queen of Magadha, wanted to become a nun. At first, he declined her request and was only convinced through the pleas of his disciple Ananda. However, he had instilled stricter rules in the nuns than in the monks.
He also added that the fact of having admitted the integration of women would considerably reduce the period during which the enlightened could live under religious law. There is also a principle according to which only men could attain the state of Buddha. Concerning women, they could only aspire to the first degrees of spiritual awakening. The criticism of Buddhism deplores the maintenance of the inferior status of women is also supported in the sutras which inspired the writing of civil codes.
Buddhism: between spirituality and religion?
Buddhism is perceived differently depending on the conviction of each individual. On the one hand, religious people consider Buddhist practice to be an atheistic philosophy. On the other hand, philosophers reconcile it with religions. In other words, criticism of Buddhism does not fail to emphasize the fact that the Buddhist religion does not really have its place in society. Faced with this context, the Dalai Lama explains his point of view by adding: “this is perhaps an advantage which allows him to build a bridge between religions and philosophies. »
Be that as it may, Buddhism is considered by many people to be a transformative path to enlightenment. They consider this practice to be a meditative science and a philosophy-based tradition from which flows wisdom appropriate to every moment of daily life.
