The understanding of Buddhism is masked by a series of preconceived ideas that we have projected on the different Buddhist traditions originating in Asia. These ideas, sometimes simply wrong or, most of the time, partially true, offer us a simplified and superficial vision of Buddhism and hide its richness and depth.

Bernard Faure sets out to "unmask" Buddhism by addressing the main topics and clichés that color our understanding of it. For example: Buddhism is not a religion but a philosophy; Buddhism denies the existence of the self; Buddhism preaches reincarnation; Buddhism is a peaceful religion; Buddhism is supported by science, or Buddhism is a type of therapy.

These are just some of the prejudices that we have in the West about Buddhism and that, as the author reveals, far from originating in Asian traditions, come from the cultural values ​​of Western modernity (rationalism, individualism, the ghost of nihilism, Orientalism , new age spirituality...), some processes that have configured a Buddhism isolated from its historical and cultural contexts.

For this reason, reading this book is at the same time indispensable, revealing and disconcerting. The reader will not remain indifferent to the fall of myths and topics about Buddhism, something necessary if we want to have a deeper and more subtle understanding of Buddhist thought and practices in the world.