On the attraction to Buddhism
As a history geek, I was not aware of any attempt, ever, to spread Buddhism by force. I am also not aware of any significant attempts to enforce Buddhist “orthodoxy” by force.
Imagine, for example, an “enlightenment crusade”
“Accept the 8 fold path to end the cycle of death and rebirth or die and… be reborn!
Does not make much sense I think.
Imagine a Zen inquisition – saffron robed monks standing over a torture victim stretched on a rack screaming
“WHAT IS THE SOUND OF ONE HAND CLAPPING?”
“It is NOT NOTHING! Get Dick Cheney and we’ll water-board him!”
Somehow, I do not see that.