tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3888736451965206055.post6546477967713671092..comments2024-03-17T16:53:40.334+05:30Comments on WINNOWED: Book Review: ‘Confession of a Buddhist Atheist’ by Stephen BatchelorWinnowedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11073005581801465319noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3888736451965206055.post-75717689028542584972020-08-19T09:10:12.102+05:302020-08-19T09:10:12.102+05:30He truly became a batchelor after deserting his Ti...He truly became a batchelor after deserting his Tibetan monkhood and by marrying a zen nun. Double disrobing awaits the confession of Martine. He did not need to believe in rebirth, he lived more than two lives in one short life. Stephen’s writings may delight some half hearted Christians but they are dangerous material for those who seek true spirituality. He lost his own way by disobeying his teacher and over questioning Buddhism as they say ‘ a burnt seed cannot grow’. What a pity!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3888736451965206055.post-41412634735689059212012-06-27T10:33:57.573+05:302012-06-27T10:33:57.573+05:30The truth is, that Gautama the Buddha is not the f...The truth is, that Gautama the Buddha is not the founder of Buddhism, and he did not convert any one in to a Buddhist. And one has to live a life full of wisdom and commonsense, purifying ones mind from all the beliefs the world has given. So practicing purity of the mind will liberate one's mind from all the madness the world has put into the mind, and thus live a natural life which is intended by the nature, understanding the laws of the nature. Time is invaluable and precious and should not be wasted in all this kind of discussions. Be Awake and observe the truth of the present moment, is nothing there, and there is no way to find out. So Be Happy by being aware and awake.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3888736451965206055.post-67766697295795355852011-06-15T09:36:08.127+05:302011-06-15T09:36:08.127+05:30Thanks Anonymous. niruK you are wrong and you know...Thanks Anonymous. niruK you are wrong and you know it.Winnowedhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11073005581801465319noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3888736451965206055.post-25163453725221144212011-06-15T00:46:59.083+05:302011-06-15T00:46:59.083+05:30Its well known that the Buddha was not a vegetaria...Its well known that the Buddha was not a vegetarian. He would never allow an animal to be killed for his sake, but when begging, would eat whatever was given.<br /><br />He ate it out of both respect to the animal that had given up it's life in order to nourish his body, and as a reminder that he would likewise one day provide nourishment to other living things with his own body.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3888736451965206055.post-87654341289095198982010-05-22T21:05:04.727+05:302010-05-22T21:05:04.727+05:30the Buddha did not eat PORK! he was a Vegetarian, ...the Buddha did not eat PORK! he was a Vegetarian, and he was not poisoned! he died a natural death. Good gods, why cant people actually RESEARCH before they publish what they write?!niruKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05181770160421952627noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3888736451965206055.post-14597374423287840242010-05-11T11:34:41.607+05:302010-05-11T11:34:41.607+05:30Anonymous, you are right that not much is known of...Anonymous, you are right that not much is known of Jesus's youth. However, what Batchelor is trying to say (I think so) is that Christians would very much like to know everything about Jesus's youth, whilst Buddhists aren't as keen. It is true that Buddha is not considered God and hence only his teachings matter, but I agree with Batchelor when he argues that to undersatnd Buddha's teachings or philosophy, one must know Gotama the man and the politics of the time he lived in.Winnowedhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11073005581801465319noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3888736451965206055.post-39132362748484172542010-05-11T10:55:46.720+05:302010-05-11T10:55:46.720+05:30Not sure I agree that there is as hard a distincti...Not sure I agree that there is as hard a distinction between Christianity and Buddhism in terms of interest in their founders life. First, the example given of not knowing anything about Buddha in his teen years is a bad one because the exact same thing can be said about Jesus for whom the New testament gives no information between the age of 12 and 30. Also, stories about buddha's life are indeed revered especially by more of the 'folk practicioners'.<br /><br />That being said, it is ultimately right in the sense that Jesus is believed to be God and the story of his life, the life of God, and it is that story that is pretty much the essense of the foundational christian texts. Buddha is not God (or uniquely God ly depending on how you understand him) and his philosophy is more important. The legends of his life are later than the original sacred scriptures.<br /><br />Thanks for the review though. I read batchelor's earlier book on this topic (buddhism witout beliefs) and while parts of it were awesome, his writing annoyed me.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3888736451965206055.post-62124326482614470182010-04-27T12:50:07.398+05:302010-04-27T12:50:07.398+05:30Anonymous, I bought my copy from Amazon.Anonymous, I bought my copy from Amazon.Winnowedhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11073005581801465319noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3888736451965206055.post-37219257601407750612010-04-27T12:34:34.715+05:302010-04-27T12:34:34.715+05:30strange, not available in any bookstorestrange, not available in any bookstoreAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com