The earlier book by this Buddhist monk-turned author, Buddhism without Beliefs, published in 1997, aroused with significant controversy, with critics accusing the author of having put forth arguments that could undermine the theological aspects of Buddhism. This new work is equally likely to raise eyebrows. The 'confession' part refers to Batchelor's years at the Buddhist monasteries of India and Europe, and his discomfort over the emphasis on ritualistic rote learning and metaphysical practices.
Here, Batchelor demonstrates tremendous gratitude towards his Buddhist tutors, but also cites their "irrational" belief system as a reason for his subsequent attraction to Korean Zen practices. Eventually, after a decade and a half of spiritual adventure, Batchelor disrobed, became a layman and started to write about Buddhist teachings, mostly from a secular perspective.
Many will cherish Confession of a Buddhist Atheist specifically for this secular treatment of Buddhist teachings, minus the ritual and supernatural imagery. What emerges is a historical Buddha more human than divine, but equally fascinating and with an everlasting powerful message. Even after writing this book, Batchelor seems confident about his commitment to the teachings of the Buddha.
Though largely a scholarly effort, the book does stray from this path in two areas. First, the author erroneously puts Kapilvastu, the principality where the young Prince Siddhartha Gautam grew up, in the town of Piprahwa in modern-day Uttar Pradesh, rather than in the middle plains of what is today Nepal in Tilaurakot – as has been widely agreed upon, though there is some controversy about this. Perhaps to avoid just this debate, Batchelor deliberately omits the marker for Lumbini – the Buddha's undisputed birthplace in modern-day Nepal – on his map of northern India in ancient times. He could have at least inserted a footnote about the Kapilvastu controversy, as one of Batchelor's emphases is the geographical background of the Buddha's journeys. The author travelled across numerous places of importance in Buddhism in the course of writing the book, to capture a sense of place, time and culture.