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**TimEricsson** · 07-13-2010, 07:36 AM

Here's another paper from Stephen Batchelor's website that examines critiques of Batchelor's writings:

http://www.stephenbatchelor.org/msthesiscover.htm

ABSTRACT

The current study examines the agnostic Buddhism of contemporary scholar and practitioner Stephen Batchelor. The main question under examination is whether the essence of Buddhism is undermined when interpreted through Batchelor’s agnostic and “belief-free” lens. In an attempt to answer this question, Batchelor’s main philosophical texts – Alone With Others, The Faith to Doubt, and Buddhism Without Beliefs – are analysed, as are three critiques of his work written by Bhikkhu Punnadhammo, Bhikkhu Bodhi, and Sangharakshita. It is concluded that while Batchelor is discarding many of the conventional trappings of Buddhism, he is not placing its integrity at risk.

Perhaps at some point I will find time to write my own examinations of the three critiques as well. I have read all of them (they are also on Batchelor's website), and none of them are convincing.

07-13-2010, 07:36 AM	#16
TimEricsson Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 341 Senior Member	Here's another paper from Stephen Batchelor's website that examines critiques of Batchelor's writings: http://www.stephenbatchelor.org/msthesiscover.htm ABSTRACT The current study examines the agnostic Buddhism of contemporary scholar and practitioner Stephen Batchelor. The main question under examination is whether the essence of Buddhism is undermined when interpreted through Batchelor’s agnostic and “belief-free” lens. In an attempt to answer this question, Batchelor’s main philosophical texts – Alone With Others, The Faith to Doubt, and Buddhism Without Beliefs – are analysed, as are three critiques of his work written by Bhikkhu Punnadhammo, Bhikkhu Bodhi, and Sangharakshita. It is concluded that while Batchelor is discarding many of the conventional trappings of Buddhism, he is not placing its integrity at risk. Perhaps at some point I will find time to write my own examinations of the three critiques as well. I have read all of them (they are also on Batchelor's website), and none of them are convincing.
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