Buddhist Egoism and Other Infelicities
A Response to Paul Williams’ Christian Interpretation of Buddhism
by Randall Studstill
San José State University
Published February 23, 2008
This article is an evaluation of Christian views about Buddhism based
on Paul Williams’ The Unexpected Way: On Converting from Buddhism to
Catholicism (2002). Studstill focuses specifically on five Christian claims
about Buddhism: (1) Buddhism prevents the recognition of objective
reality and objective truth, (2) Buddhism promotes egoism, (3) Buddhism
encourages immorality, (4) Buddhism is quite possibly irrational, and (5)
Buddhism is excessively pessimistic. Studstill critically examines Williams’
defense of these claims and concludes that each is either false or highly
problematic. As a corrective to Williams’ errors about Buddhism, Studstill
clarifies Buddhist views regarding suffering and egoism, the transformation
of consciousness, the realization of truth, and the cultivation of altruism and
compassion.
