Alan Watts is regularly given as the prototypical example of 'beat zen' which is recognized as a debased form of Zen. This is discussed in the book I reference above by Wong Kiew Kit.
This is not my opinion per se. It is the opinion of many Zen masters. Just look at the criticisms section in Alan Watt's Wikipedia article. D. T. Suzuki being one of them.
However, having said all that, I still think the world is a better place because Alan Watts existed. Even if misinformed about many Zen concepts, he has brought joy to many people, and interested many people in Zen.
This is not my opinion per se. It is the opinion of many Zen masters. Just look at the criticisms section in Alan Watt's Wikipedia article. D. T. Suzuki being one of them.
However, having said all that, I still think the world is a better place because Alan Watts existed. Even if misinformed about many Zen concepts, he has brought joy to many people, and interested many people in Zen.