Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Thinley Norbu addresses discrepancies, June 13, 2005
This is Thinley Norbu's response to a chapter with a negative spin on Buddhism in a book by the Pope. Norbu says p. 89: "It is as though the Pope suddenly vomited insolently & uncontrollably in a cathedral, so I hastily had to clean it, as the Polish people asked me to do." The chapter is excerpted; readers cannot evaluate it sequentially or in toto but must rely on Norbu's discretion. Norbu's book is organized topically, without a Table of Contents. Its Chapters are:
1. p. 3 Experience & Enlightenment
2. p. 7 Evil, God, & Reality
3. p. 20 Breaking Ties to Reality
4. p. 38 Indifference, Detachment & Love
5. p. 47 Atheism
6. p. 51 Creation
7. p. 58 Union
8. p. 68 Mysticism
9. p. 81 Religions
The Pope says that Buddhism is negative, an escape from an evil world, but Norbu points out the Pope only addresses "Hinayana", ignoring Mahayana Bodhisattvas, the 4 Immeasurables, Vajrayana...so it's inaccurate, but despite Norbu's arguments, Hinayana does emphasize suffering & the Arhat ideal of escape or detachment from the world. But even equating Buddhism with Hinayana, the Pope calling it atheistic is untrue--look it up in Websters. Further, Norbu says p. 47: "If the Pope truly wants to love the world, he has to practice according to Mahayana & Vajrayana vehicles"-which seems a bit over the top--though his p. 72 comments on non-sectarianism are on the mark. Also, as a scientist, I agree with Norbu's analysis of science & religion-Christians claiming credit for science is specious-Church persecutions of scientists (e.g. Galileo) & mystics (e.g. Roger Bacon, Cathars & Templars) are legion. But, it is refreshing for a Pope to speak positively about mysticism. Still, Norbu's Einstein quote (without a reference) is powerful: pp. 75-6 "The religion of the future will be a cosmic religion. It should transcend a personal God and avoid dogmas & theology. Covering both the natural & the spiritual, it should be based on a religious sense arising from the experience of all things, natural & spiritual, as a meaningful unity. Buddhism answers this description...If there is any religion that would cope with modern scientific needs, it would be Buddhism." But science is based on empiricism not opinion (even from geniuses). One cannot say if Norbu's correct p. 81 that the Pope "is trying to present a negative picture of Buddhism, as though he is afraid it has too much appeal & may draw his own followers away" as he's attributing motive to another-but it seems rational. He's certainly right that p. 82 "It is unfair for the Pope to think he & his priests can go all over the world to convert people to their religion but some small number of Buddhists cannot." But one can question the motives of proselytizing by any religion.
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2 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
An Elegant Teaching That Refutes Misconceptions About Buddhism, August 19, 2006
This beautifully-written book pulls no punches as it gently, completely, fully, utterly pulls the rug out from under Roman Catholic misconceptions about Buddhism.
A must-read and a must-own.
(If you're looking to accrue some good karma, send a copy to the Pope).
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