How is Buddhism frequently presented in the West?

It is often presented as a rational philosophy and way of life rather than as a religion, offering practice without belief in anything supernatural.

Which features of Buddhism make that presentation possible?

It has no creator God, it emphasises personal verification, and its central practices can be described as mental training.

What is Batchelor's background in the tradition?

He trained as a monk in the Tibetan tradition and then in Korean Zen before returning to lay life as a teacher and writer.

What does Batchelor say about karma and rebirth?

He argues that they are inherited from the Indian culture of the Buddha's time and can be set aside, since the practice does not depend on them.

How does Batchelor reinterpret the Four Noble Truths?

He treats them as four tasks to be performed rather than four propositions to be believed, so that Buddhism becomes a course of action rather than a creed.

WJEC A-Level Religious Studies 603-0277-X

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Islam: Key Religious ConceptsIslam

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The Nature of Religious Experience

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Christianity: Historical Developments in Religious Thought

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Christianity: Social Developments in Religious Thought

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Christianity: Movements, Change and Contemporary Issues

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Islam: Historical Developments in Religious Thought

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Islam: Social Developments in Religious Thought

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Islam: Movements, Change and Contemporary Issues

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Judaism: Social Developments in Religious Thought

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Judaism: Movements, Change and Contemporary Issues

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New Testament: MiraclesNew Testament

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Buddhism: Historical Developments in Religious Thought

Secularisation, Stephen Batchelor and David Brazier

2 things to know
A2 Unit 3

Overview

Batchelor's background in the tradition, david Brazier's central claim about Buddhism and shared question that divides Batchelor and Brazier.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

Your recallNot started

Key term

How does Stephen Batchelor describe his own position?

Key term

How does Brazier connect his account of Buddhism to social action?

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

1
How is Buddhism frequently presented in the West?
Model answer
It is often presented as a rational philosophy and way of life rather than as a religion, offering practice without belief in anything supernatural.
2
Which features of Buddhism make that presentation possible?
Model answer
It has no creator God, it emphasises personal verification, and its central practices can be described as mental training.
3
How does Stephen Batchelor describe his own position?
Model answer
He describes himself as a Buddhist atheist and takes an agnostic stance towards claims that cannot be tested.
4
What is Batchelor's background in the tradition?
Model answer
He trained as a monk in the Tibetan tradition and then in Korean Zen before returning to lay life as a teacher and writer.
5
What does Batchelor say about karma and rebirth?
Model answer
He argues that they are inherited from the Indian culture of the Buddha's time and can be set aside, since the practice does not depend on them.
6
How does Batchelor reinterpret the Four Noble Truths?
Model answer
He treats them as four tasks to be performed rather than four propositions to be believed, so that Buddhism becomes a course of action rather than a creed.

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