Confession of a Buddhist Atheist

By: Stephen Batchelor

Narrated by: Stephen Batchelor

Does Buddhism require faith? Can an atheist or agnostic follow the Buddha's teachings without believing in reincarnation or organized religion?

This is one man's confession.

In his classic Buddhism Without Beliefs, Stephen Batchelor offered a profound, secular approach to the teachings of the Buddha that struck an emotional chord with Western audiences. Now, with the same brilliance and boldness of thought, he paints a groundbreaking portrait of the historical Buddha—told from the author's unique perspective as a former Buddhist monk and modern seeker. Drawing from the original Pali Canon, the seminal collection of Buddhist discourses compiled after the Buddha's death by his followers, Batchelor shows us the Buddha as a flesh-and-blood man who looked at life in a radically new way. Batchelor also reveals the everyday challenges and doubts of his own devotional journey—from meeting the Dalai Lama in India, to training as a Zen monk in Korea, to finding his path as a lay teacher of Buddhism living in France. Both controversial and deeply personal, Stephen Batchelor's refreshingly doctrine-free, life-informed account is essential listening for anyone interested in Buddhism.

©2010 Stephen Batchelor (P)2022 Tantor

Interesting

It was well written, but the only issue I had with it was that it was too monotone. I hope you don’t take it offensively but normally I do listen to everyone out running. It really gave me the history of Buddha Buddhism. I am a secular, not agnostic but a secularlist.

Outstanding

I've been studying this subject for a few decades. Never, however, have I read such an in-depth book so deep and personal as this about the Buddha's life and journey... all told through the journey of the author. Seldom is it recommended that an author narrate their own work. Not in this case. It was an impeccable read of an impeccable book.

Nice well crafted legal thriller

I enjoy Mr Staggs stories. Well crafted legal thrillers with nice pacing. Not breaking any literary ground here just executing a genre exceptionally well. The narrator is very good, the story just flows. I find once I start one of his books I will binge it straight through.

Magnificent

I really loved how he told his story alongside a recounting of the Buddha’s life which included a lot I had never heard before. Gave me new perspective on Buddha as a real person.

Different and PHENOMENAL!

Such a different perspective than I’m used to. The author was concise and eloquent in using his life experience to convey his final statement!