[Buddha-l] Bertrand Russell

[Richard Hayes]

On Thursday 10 August 2006 21:27, libris wrote:

> The quote is actually from "A History of Western Philosophy"
> (1945), however, I'm not sure of the exact page:perhaps someone
> can help.

While someone is looking through that 900-page book in search of 
Russell's views on Buddhism, we might want to ponder some of what 
he said in "Why I am Not a Christian."

\begin{quote}
There has been a rumour in recent years to the effect that I have 
become less opposed to religious orthodoxy that I formerly was. 
This rumour is totally without foundation. I think all the great 
religions of the world---Buddhism, Hinduism, Christianity, Islam, 
and Communism---both untrue and harmful. (p. 9)
\end{quote}

In light of all the suffering religious people have been inflicting 
on each other and on totally innocent by-standers around the world 
in the 21st century, it would be hard to disagree with Lord Russell 
on that one. But how about this one:

\begin{quote}
But what is true of Christianity is equally true of Buddhism. The 
Buddha was amiable and enlightened; on his death-bed he laughed at 
his disciples for supposing that he was immortal. But the Buddhist 
priesthood---as it exists, for example, in Tibet---has been 
obscurantist, tyrannous, and cruel in the highest degree.
(p. 29)
\end{quote}

Although Tibetan "priests" were the main focus of that broadside, 
Lord Russell managed to have some scathing things to say about the 
ability of Japanese Buddhists priests to think clearly and 
rationally. All things considered, Buddhism does not come out 
awfully well in Russell's depictions. The highest praise we find is 
an acknowledgment that the Buddha was amiable and enlightened 
enough to mock his own disciples.

Russell's assessment may not have been the most politely worded, and 
one searches in vain for signs of political correctness. But was 
Lord Russell's assessment of Lord Buddha really all that 
inaccurate?

-- 
Richard Hayes
Department of Philosophy
University of New Mexico