Is buddhism theistic or atheistic? Polemic of B. Alan Wallace with Stephen Batchelor Cover Image

Buddyzm „teistyczny” czy „ateistyczny”? Polemika B. Alana Wallace’a ze Stephenem Batchelorem
Is buddhism theistic or atheistic? Polemic of B. Alan Wallace with Stephen Batchelor

Author(s): Jacek Sieradzan
Subject(s): Philosophy, Theology and Religion, Philosophy of Religion
Published by: Wydawnictwo Uniwersytetu w Białymstoku
Keywords: Buddhism; theism; atheism; nontheism; rebirth

Summary/Abstract: The article „Is Buddhism theistic or atheistic? Polemic of B. Alan Wallace with Stephen Batchelor” discuss polemic between two Western buddhologists B. Alan Wallace and Stephen Batchelor concerning question whether nature of Buddhism is „theistic” or „atheistic”. Both are critical towards Buddhism, but if Batchelor is sceptical of value of Buddhist doctrines, including doctrine of rebirth, Wallace try to remove his doubts by looking for paralels between Buddhism and science. Buddhism is middle way between extremities, in this case between theism and atheism. Many buddhists and buddhologists regards it to be nontheistic. In this polemic Buddha Śakyamuni would probably take medium position between „theism” and „atheism”. Both conceptions are creations of a mind, and Buddhism is way of contemplation which aims to find peace of mind beyond mind.

  • Issue Year: 1/2018
  • Issue No: XXX
  • Page Range: 136-147
  • Page Count: 12
  • Language: Polish