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Summary: A refreshing breeze of religious tolerance and insight!
Review: Very insightful in the best of ways: a book that recognizes that religious truth lies in how one lives, not in what one professes to believe. Both Buddhists and Christians will gain deeper appreciation for their religious traditions, as well as a healing vision on the fundamental unity of the two great religions. And as for the one-star review, sometimes, as Buddhists might say, "the curved surfaces of the camel and the peanut may be the only thing that truly matters."
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Summary: A way to peace between not just Christians and Buddhists...
Review: This book is A way to peace between not just Christians and Buddhists but to people of all faiths. I am buddhist, but was raised Roman Catholic. This book helped me to look at my roots and what not only Jesus's techings have to offer but also his life. Though I may not return to my roots I have a better understanding of them and will use what I have learned from this amazing book by an amazing being to help impprove my life.
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Summary: A Buddhist view of Christianity
Review: The author, Hanh, does a very good job of drawing parallels between certain teachings of Christianity and Buddhism. Indeed, there are many common traits, as it pertains to admonishings to live a moral, kind and generous life. However, it is lacking in some very important aspects. Christianity is interpreted through the eyes of Buddhism. To a Buddhist, reality is the awareness that there is no reality, except as it is perceived. Therefore, reality is as the Buddhist defines it. There is no absolute Truth in Buddhism. Accordingly, anything can be defined anyway you want it to be. This is a very different view from orthodox Christianity, which views reality as being objective and Truth as absolute. In my review of Hanh^Rs book, I am going to compare his views to those of orthodox Christian views (held by both Protestant and Catholic). The uninformed reader could easily be misled into believing that Hanh^Rs viewpoint on God and Jesus are within the orthodox Christian perspective, but they are not. This is not to say that there is not room within the Christian tradition to accept some of the viewpoints of Hanh, but they are not orthodox.The Living Christ is defined in the same symbolic terms as the Living Buddha. It is a conceptual understanding of the teachings and lifestyle taught by both teachers. The Living Christ is not a living Person. Christ, as Hanh views him, is not a living entity with a unique personality, rather it is an experiential lifestyle. Christ has been re-created in the image that Hanh wants him to be and not according to what he is. The Jesus of Hanh is not the historical Jesus, but rather the mystical Jesus of Hanh^Rs "reality." To place Christ on the same plane as Buddha, is to ignore the historical reality of Christ and replace it with subjective pabulum. Hanh quoted Pope John Paul II twice in reference to Christ being the unique Son of God and both times Hanh strongly objected to that understanding of Christ because it did not fit in with his panthiestic view of the world. According to Hanh, this is a divisive view, even though it is the orthodox Christian view and without which Christianity is no different that Buddhism or any other philosophy of life. Buddhism is essentially an pantheistic philosophy of life. God is not really a person, but rather something we can all tap into or are part of, a "ground of being" as he puts it. This is very contrary to the Christian view of God, as a Person with a personality. Hanh^Rs Buddhist corollary to God is Nirvana, which is essentially "nothingness." How foreign to the Christian concept of God. Buddhist meditation is also very different from Christian meditation. When the Buddhist meditates, his objective is to empty his mind of everything and to become "mindful" or increase his awareness of life. In contrast, Christian meditation is God-ward. It is directed to a Person. It seeks relationship with a person, as opposed to unity with the universe
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Summary: ENLIGHTENING and PEACEFUL!!
Review: Being a Roman Catholic, I was afraid I was betraying my religion by starting to study Buddhism. After reading this book, I now see that Buddhism is more of a practice and way to live, then a strict religion. I also realize that Christ and Buddha had so much in common in their teachings. I highly recommend this book and any other books by this great writer for those seeking information on how to live a better peaceful and fulfilling life. It does not interfere with any other religion and I find it helps me understand,we all need to live as the Buddha and Christ have asked us to through their teaching.
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Summary: enlightened comparison between Christianity and Buddhism
Review: If one is interested in basic truisms of Christianity and the similarities to Buddhism, this is the book for you. This book will be appreciated by almost everyone who reads it. The only people who may not like it are the dogmatics who get "hung up" on particulars; i.e., God, ceremonies, etc.
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Summary: Introduced me to a beautiful world of religion w/o rhetoric
Review: Briefly, I have read many views on Buddhism and Christianity looking for my very own identity. Thich Nhat Hanh introduced me to the spiritual world of awareness. I have discussed this publication with many of my Christian friends and regardless of any argument that can be put forth, I have to say that Thich Nhat Hanh exudes nothing but love and respect for all religions. This Book will teach you, no matter who you are, a new respect for unconditional acceptance.
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Summary: not just about religion...
Review: This book goes beyond Christianity and Buddhism. It addresses the issues involved within these two religions, but goes deeper into the how's and why's. It also gives a deep understanding of our real self (or nonself as the author would say). A truly distinguished book for any soul in the search of truth. Highly recommended.
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Summary: Unparallelled eloquence, insight
Review: When you begin to read it you can see it is written by a Zen master because Thich Nhat Hanh is able to say much with few words. I am a Christian and this book introduced me to Buddhism. Nearly every sentence would cause me to stop in my tracks and think. I was introduced to many completely new ideas and philosophies through the course of this book. Although I will never be a Buddhist and I do not agree with everything Thich Nhat Hanh believes, I have a great respect for their beliefs as well as others. It also helped me to understand Christianity and Christ's message, and shaped my own beliefs. You will gain a lot of cultural and philosophical insight if you read this book.
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Summary: Camel and peanuts
Review: Robert anton wilson once said you can say peanuts and camels are the same thing if you look at the contours of there backs and ignore eveythin g else. This book does that with christianity and buddhism, it is very naive and may be insulting to christians for it's lack of depth. Yes, dialog between buddhists and christians is desirable, but this book is too simplistic about the problem. If you want a good book about buddhism read"Being Peace" another one of Thay's books. I can't recommened this one. A step back for christian-buddhist dialog.Sorry
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Summary: This is a book for all seeking peace and harmony
Review: From the first paragraph to the last, this book is a compilation of valuable lessons. It tells how Buddhists and Christians can learn from one another, growing closer to peace and contenment. With lessons on mindfulness, gratefulness, and human brotherhood, the book is a MUST-READ for anyone who wants to see more deeply into the miracle that is life.
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