Unmasking Buddhism

The book is organized into three main parts. Part I, “Buddhism in History,” examines received ideas such as “Buddhism is both one and many,” “The Buddha is only a man who achieved Awakening,” “Buddhism is an Indian religion,” “Buddhism is the cult of nothingness,” “Buddhism is a philosophy, not a religion,” “Buddhism teaches impermanence,” “karma leads to fatalism,” “Buddhism denies the self,” and “Buddhism teaches reincarnation.” Part II, “Buddhism and Local Cultures,” discusses Buddhism as an atheistic religion, spirituality, the role of the Dalai Lama, and the misconception that Buddhism is equivalent to Zen. Part III, “Buddhism and Society,” addresses tolerance, compassion, peace, equality, science, therapy, vegetarianism, universalism, and monasticism. The conclusion, “Buddhism or Neo-Buddhism?,” reflects on how modern forms of Buddhism often represent selective reinterpretations shaped by contemporary expectations rather than the full historical tradition.