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In lucid, meditative prose, Thich Nhat Hanh, whom many consider to be a "living buddha, " explores the crossroads of compassion and holiness at which the two traditions of Christianity and Buddhism meet, and reawakens readers' understanding of these disciplines.
Twenty years ago at a conference I attended of theologians and professors of religion, an Indian Christian friend told the assembly, "We are going to hear about the beauties of several traditions, but that does not mean that we are going to make a fruit salad." When it came my turn to speak, I said, "Fruit salad can be delicious! I have shared the Eucharist with Father Daniel Berrigan, and our worship became possible because of the sufferings we Vietnamese and Americans shared over many years." Some of the Buddhists present were shocked to hear I had participated in the Eucharist, and many Christians seemed truly horrified. To me, religious life is life. I do not see any reason to spend one's whole life tasting one kind of fruit. We human beings can be nourished by the best values of many traditions.
Just as a flower is made only of non-flower elements, Buddhism is made only of non-Buddhist elements, including Christian ones, and Christianity is made of non- Christian elements, including Buddhist ones. We have different roots, traditions, and ways of seeing, but we share the common qualities of love, understanding, and acceptance. For our dialogue to be open, we need to open our hearts, set aside our prejudices, listen deeply, and represent truthfully what we know and understand. To do this, we need a certain amount of faith. In Buddhism, faith means confidence in our and others' ability to wake up to our deepest capacity of loving and understanding. In Christianity, faith means trust in God, the One who represents love, understanding, dignity, and truth. When we are still, looking deeply, and touching the source of our true wisdom, we touch the living Buddha and the living Christ in ourselves and in each person we meet.
In this small book, I shall try to share some of my experiences of and insights into two of the world's beautiful flowers, Buddhism and Christianity, so that we as a society can begin to dissolve our wrong perceptions, transcend our wrong views, and see one another in fresh, new ways. If we can enter the twenty-first century with this spirit of mutual understanding and acceptance, our children and their children will surely benefit.
Anonymous
Posted June 22, 2000
Thich Nhat Hanh really deepened my faith with this book. It was so good that I read the entire book in about four hours. What he does in this book is really compares two different religions. But, he also mentions, or infers, that buddhism is not a religion. Rather it is an understanding or a way of living. And when you apply this way of living with your spiritual and daily life, then you have a match made in heaven. I am a devout catholic, but I practice buddhism every day. It helps me calm my anger and harness all of that energy, and turn it into something useful, like love. So if you are looking for some way to pick your life up or to just be happier, I really reccomend that you read this book.
12 out of 12 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.I am reminded that there are many ways to say the same thing. The sayings of the gnostic Jesus, the traditional Jesus, the Buddha. We have often interpreted the message to suit our institutional needs, but the message really was always the same, regardless of the messenger: Love one another.
This is a beautiful book, easy to read, portable, easy to carry with you on your lunch break. Read it sitting outside with the birds singing as spring approaches. Read it in bed before falling off to sleep. But by all means read it. And give thanks that people like Thich Nhat Hanh were given life, and reminded us how to live it.
7 out of 7 people found this review helpful.
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Posted March 21, 2008
Whether you are a buddhist coverting to christian or a christian converting to buddhist, this book will definitely open up your heart, calm your mind, and enrich your soul. Most importantly, it will reawaken the 'Holy Spirit'--the Living Buddha and the Living Christ within you...
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
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Posted May 13, 2007
I recently began practicing Buddhism, and this book was one of the catalysts for me. The analogies between Buddhism and Christianity are interesting. I was impressed with his simple, common-sense approach. A very engaging writer. I plan on reading more of his works.
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
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Posted September 30, 2004
I am a practicing Buddhist, and great fan of Thich Nhat Hahn, but am also a devote Christian. I do not believe that Buddhism offers the same kind of spiritual salvation that Christianity does, however, I also am convinced that Biblical Christianity falls far short of providing the necessary tools to find the kind of salvation that Buddhism offers. Ancient and modern forms of Christian prayer do not help us effectively listen and recieve God's guidance as well as Buddhist practice. Real trial and error, and life experiences will show you this. Any assertion that one cannot recieve wisdom outside of the Bible is based solely in fear and indicates a lazy mind.
4 out of 6 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.chosen25
Posted March 20, 2010
It easier for us to point out each others flaws but from reading the book i found that we really are more alike than we would all like to think. Its a humbling feeling. There is no need to be better than, i think we can exist and let others believe what they will as long as we all respect one another. I finish the book and just re read it. Im going to keep reading it until it truly all sinks in. I dont want to miss a thing.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
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Posted October 9, 2011
As a beiliver in the Divinity of Christ and the teachings of Buddah I found this book to be a woulderful bridge that assisted me in my desire to make a connection between the two "religions".
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Excellently written book about similarities of Buddhism and Christianity. Written from a perspective of inclusiveness it is this book is well suited to reader interested in starting a study of either Buddha or Jesus. May be a bit to "deep" for some readers but otherwise I recommend it highly.
Excellent read.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted September 11, 2007
Buddhist have a wide array of beliefs as do many followers of any religion. Although the views in this book have merit and at times make excellent points, I felt that serveral times there was bias. I do enjoy that this book is a buddhist teaching both buddhist and christians alike about Christ and his teachings and the fact that many relate to the the teachings and practices of Buddha. its one of those, 'from another point of view' books. It has helped me a great deal with my religious and spiritual conflicts and has allowed me to express a more open view of all beliefs. A sudden understanding that in the end we all believe the same basic idea.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted June 28, 2012
Living Buddha, Living Christ offers a deep and rich insight into the similarities between Buddhism and Christianity. It’s quite surprising how similar the two religions can be. One would think that out of all the modern-day religions, if anything these two would be the least bit similar. However Living Buddha, Living Christ really shows the beauty of both. Just as Thich Nhat Hanh wrote, “We have different roots, traditions, and ways of seeing, but we share the common qualities of love, understanding, and acceptance.”
As an atheist, I’ve always been interested in Buddhism, and its formation of a religion around existential beliefs. I’ve also always been a bit wary of Christianity. After reading this book, I gained a newfound respect and enjoyment of both religions. I think that because I’ve been raised in a society where the youth tends to rebel and go against their religious roots, I’ve always held a sort of grudge against Christianity and only acknowledged the things that I hated about it. Perhaps it was the comparison to Buddhism, a relatively peaceful and calm religion, that did it for me, but I’ve gained an appreciation for both, and a keenness to do something about it.
Miriam AG
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted June 27, 2012
This is an easy read that makes connections with christianity and taking spirituality to a better understanding.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted June 11, 2012
Well written. Wish I could be this well centered.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted July 30, 2012
Amazing book- changed my perspective on life...
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted June 8, 2013
This room is filled with tumnels and beds and stuff
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Posted January 23, 2013
I want to the deputy. I fight for justce. I am a faithful christian. And you know my description.
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Posted January 23, 2013
Leaders den
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Posted September 19, 2011
This is ridiculous. Buddha would drop to his knees and follow Christ if he were to meet him. Not even worth the money. All this is doing is suggesting that people believe in both...
0 out of 15 people found this review helpful.
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Posted October 19, 2009
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Posted October 29, 2008
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Posted February 23, 2010
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