Batchelor, Stephen, Buddhism without beliefs: a contempory guide to awakening

I disagree with parts of Batchelor's book; but my disagreements are not those of Ven. Bodhi.

Batchelor seems to be taking the same approach to Buddhism as Thurman - he aims to present the teaching of the Buddha as rational and... 'unpious' is the best word I can come up with (not 'impious').

I think that Batchelor overdoes the rational bit and neglects the roles of (a) ritual and (b) the monastic and lay community.

It is true that Batchelor does discuss meditation, which is one kind of ritual, but he neglects others. Part of being rational is to understand that we are not completely rational and that we need to address our emotions as well as our reason.

Batchelor does claim to be living in a "Buddhist community" but implies that this does not contain any monks or nuns. Although it can be argued (insert quote from Kalamasutta here) that everything in Buddhism must be re-justified from zero, certainly the one thing that is consistent across historical Buddhism is the existence of the Order of Monks and Nuns. The one text that is in common across all traditions is the Patimokkha (the rules of the Order). (This objection also applies to the [F]WBO, by the way).

Batchelor is writing an introductory text for westerners with a potential interest in Buddhism and his book must be interpreted in that context. He selects and cites parts of Buddhist texts; he simplifies complex issues; and he gives rational arguments for Buddhism. What is wrong with that?

I don't read Batchelor as saying at 7 that "Buddhism" and "dharma practice" are two different things. I think that he is discussing which name he should use for the one thing.

Refuges: See under "Resolve" (39ff). At 41: "Someone might say: 'I resolve to awaken, to practice a way of life conducive to that end, and to cultivate friendships that nurture it'". This seems to be a reworking of the Refuges (although I can see why Ven. Bodhi might have missed this).

"Integrity" (45ff) is Batchelor on Ethics (sila).

"Friendship" (49ff) is the closest Batchelor comes to the BhikkuSangha, which isn't very close. Here he is referring to "contemporary secular, democratic societies" as antipathetic to the "guru-disciple model" (at 52). Maybe, but is it necessary to completely abandon the monastic Order?

Batchelor, Stephen. Buddhism without beliefs: a contempory guide to awakening. 1997, Riverhead, New York. hardback. 127 pages.