Cult of Nothingness: The Philosophers and the Buddha

This book traces the history of the Western discovery of Buddhism. In so doing, the author shows that such major philosophers as Schopenhaur, Nietzsche, Hegel, Cousin, and Renan imagined Buddhism as a religion that was, as Nietzsche put it, a "negation of the world." The author argues that such portrayals were more a reflection of what was happening in Europe at the time, when the collapse of traditional European hierarchies and values, the specter of atheism, the rise of racism and social revolts were shaking European societies. Argues this is still reflected in today's understanding of Buddhism in the west. Includes a comprehensive bibliography of Buddhism books published in the west between 1638 and 1890.