Barry Zeve discusses Buddhism as a significant Eastern philosophy, often contrasting it with the Abrahamic faiths and Hinduism while highlighting its unique contributions to understanding oneself and the spiritual journey.

Here’s what Barry Zeve says about Buddhism:

Classification: Zeve consistently refers to Buddhism as a philosophy, not a faith or religion
. He notes that unlike the world faiths, Buddhism doesn’t believe in God. It is described as the “godless path to God”

Chronological Place: In his chronological list of faiths and philosophies, Zeve places Buddhism after Indigenism, Hinduism, and Judaism, around 500 BCE, and before Taoism, Christianity, and Islam
. He states it “spun off from Hinduism in India” and figuratively emerged out of the Hindu foundation

Central Focus: Suffering and Detachment: The path of Buddhism is primarily concerned with the alleviation of suffering
. Suffering is described as man’s “fixation and preoccupation with desires for people, places and things around him”. Buddhism promotes detachment, specifically detachment from heavenly and earthly cravings alike, detaching from earth, water, wind, and fire

Goal: Nirvana: The path of enlightenment in Buddhism is described as Nirvana
. Zeve defines Nirvana as the “relinquishing of all physical containers once and for all” and “Heaven without God and gods [Angels]”. It’s the outcome of the “windless path” and means “without wind” [Our conversation history]. It is described as the greatest outcome of all desires

Belief in Self, Not God: Buddhism teaches people to put their faith in themself
, contrasting with religions that teach faith in God. You can’t give your faith to God if you haven’t first given your faith to yourself

Inner World and Subjectivity: Buddhism encourages looking at life from the inside, subjectively, and seeing life from the inside out
Mindfulness, as taught by the Buddha, is linked to soulfulness. Knowing oneself is a key aspect

Urges and the Body: Zeve connects Buddhism to the study of urges (+/-)
This is often linked to the physical body, specifically the penis or clitoris, described as a “delivery device”. The Buddha is presented as having completed his struggle with his penis. Understanding how to control cravings (linked to the body and urges) helps avoid morally “dirty” behavior. The Buddha is seen as overcoming the “reptilian mind”

Relationship with God: Although a “godless path”
Zeve states that the Buddha’s path is “just as vital to God’s Designs”. God Created Buddhism as a “generic germ” to resist the world faiths. The outcome of the Buddhist path (Nirvana) is described as the vacuum that we imagine outer space to be, devoid of spirit (air), extinguishing all fire. Despite not believing in God, Buddhists may treat the Buddha like God in personifying their desires. Zeve even states, “I can tell you that the Buddha now believes in God, too”, though he also notes that a Buddhist will never make peace with God’s Judgment. The Buddha didn’t strive to become a god or declare himself one

Paradox: The philosophy of Buddhism is linked to paradox
Zeve states that Buddhism helps unravel the paradoxes of God’s mysteries in the West. The existence of paradox makes the spiritual equation 1 + 1 + 1 = 1 make sense, even with the idea of millions of gods and one God manifested three ways. The paradox of learning about one’s creation through the Creator is an outcome discussed in relation to Buddhism and Taoism

Comparisons and Role:

Buddhism represents the “spiritual adolescent” of being because it rejects God’s authority

Along with Hinduism, Taoism, Christianity, and Islam, the world will obviously have to become more Jewish as it becomes more chronologically Buddhist

Buddhism brings one “below our waist to the realm of cravings and desires”

It provides a “key” or “door” to God that is part of the collective spiritual operating system, requiring the use of all paths in conjunction

It only includes the first two levels of guilt (fear and shame), not the third level (humiliation before God), which is present in the world faiths

The story of the Blind Men and the Elephant, used by Zeve to describe different religions having parts of the truth
is also used to describe the Buddha, who is like a blind man who determines his impression of the elephant using his own desires as a template

Its focus on avoiding suffering is seen as a “great lifestyle” and “great occupation”

Zeve’s Engagement: Zeve has written a book specifically on Buddhism titled “Your Buddha Within: Inside Every Buddhist Lies an Anti-Authoritarian Who Yearns For Peace of Mind”

He dedicated this book to anti-Authoritarians who yearn for peace of mind. He notes his book on Buddhism was relatively short (75 pages). He believes the world faiths should include the philosophy of Buddhism in their teachings. He describes giving his Buddhism book to a friend he sees as a “bridge over troubled East-West waters”