one line description

The author of this book, Eric Harrison, runs a "meditation business" [p17] in Perth, Australia. With this book, he wants to "take meditation out of the religious and esoteric world...[and] make [Buddhism] accessible to people who need it without over-simplifying it" [p17].

This book is intended to be an objective study of Buddhism, both the good side and the bad. The 'good side' is that Buddhism seems "tolerant and nontheistic, ...rational and psychologically based, it teaches meditation for inner peace and self-understanding, ... karma and reincarnation..." [p3]. On the other hand, Buddhism encourages 'you' to become the "compliant follower" of "saviour gurus", it is "elitist.... feudal and profoundly anti-democratic", "cannot cope with women", and does not care for the individual [pp5-6], which means that few westerners join Buddhist groups and even fewer become monks or nuns.

The book is divided into three sections, 'Life and times', 'The Teaching' and 'Buddhism today'. The first two section are relatively conventional accounts of the Buddha's life and teachings, although more critical than most texts (e.g. "compassionate as [the Buddha] was, he still does not feel like a warm human being" [p62]). His guide to Buddhist traditions today [pp72-6] has something for everyone e.g. "Vipassana... has a reputation for more nervous breakdowns, psychotic episodes and post-retreat depressions than any other practice" [p76].

The third section covers "the dark side of Buddhism" and attempts to identify a "Buddhism for the 21st century". This is mainly about sex, women, and contemporary western values such as democracy clashing with Asian traditions such as hierarchy and celibacy. Harrison expects that, outside the ethnic communities, Buddhism in western countries will increasingly be based around lay-teachers who abandon much of Asian tradition to create a western Buddhism.

The lack of respect for established sacred symbols justifies the typically Australian reputation for straight-talking, or, as our Asian neighbours put it, a lack of sensitivity for community values. Harrison feels that it is "unnecessary... to gag serious debate" because "the essential teachings and practices are quite strong enough to stand up to criticism" so he "calls a spade a spade wherever possible" [p8]. By comparison, Batchelor's Buddhism without beliefs seems quite mild and uncritical.

Who would benefit from reading this book? It will be of use to potential Buddhists who have had negative experiences with institutional Buddhism, but who remain open at least to Buddhist practice. Those looking for organised religion or a spiritual leader may find other texts more inspiring. Some contributors to Usenet newsgroups may find the critical sections to their interest. Also, Christian and other apologists will no doubt find some passages useful to quote out of context.

Harrison, Eric. The naked Buddha: a demythologised account of the man and his teaching. 2nd edition, 1999, Perth Meditation Centre.

Not to be confused with another Naked Buddha by Ven. Adrienne Hawley.

"Did someone mention the Dharma Degenerating Age?": Ven. Punnadhammo.

Harrison, Eric. The Naked Buddha. ?, ?, Perth?. {paper|hard}back. number of pages pages.

ISBN ISBN .