Rating: 
Summary: Excellent for Buddhist and Christians.
Review: This book has brought me closer to my own Christian roots. Like all of Thay's work, it reads very easily and is evidence that non-Christians also have valid viewpoints. For someone like me who was born in a strict Catholic family, this book will not alienate you from Christ, it will bring you closer to him. amazing in every way, I have read this book 3 times.
Rating:
Summary: Completely eye and mind opening!
Review: For many Zen is an obscure practice. Equally so is the practice of Christianity. As a person with no spiritual home in either, and yet intrigued by both, I was drawn to this book primarily by its title.What I found within was an honest, heartfelt and compassionate view on 2 of the greatest religions of the world. Being uncommitted in either direction, I started the book hoping that it would give me a way not to have to decide. That there was a way to be both Christian and Bhuddist. I left the book with a new understanding of how the two religions related, yes, most important I left with a new found respect for my cultural roots (Christian) and a way to continue on a path that would have me learn more about it. Living Bhudda, Living Christ takes dogma out of the equation. Encourages us to look within for the source of spirituality. To realize that all that stands between our full awakening, whether through Jesus or Bhudda, is our unwillingness to open our eyes and see. As a new Christian, some may find it ironic, that a Zen Master was largely responsible for opening my mind to my faith. A faith I saw prior to such works as a nice story at best. For anyone who finds themselves wondering about things spiritual, how and if they have a relevance in their life, I would recommend this book. Similarly, for those that may feel the presence of God, but are finding it difficult to reconcile the way in which the message of God is delivered, this book is for you.
Rating:
Summary: A must-read
Review: I recommended this book to all my Christian friends who thought that I "went off the deep end" when I converted to Buddhism. This is a positive book that concentrates on our similarities while not disregarding our differences. This is an important work for helping two religions to understand one another.
Rating: 
Summary: Essential reading.
Review: Wonderful book that reminds me greatly of Fritjoff Capra's "Tao of Physics" in which key words were replaced in identical sentences made by mystics on the one hand and quantum physicists on the other. Once words like "atoms" and "spirit" are removed, it is imposssible to see which camp has made the statement. As with "Living Buddha..", once the key words are removed from the Christian/ Buddhist statements, it is also hard to determine which devotee has spoken. The only book I have found to transcend both these 'religious' outlooks is the classic and inspiring "The Autobiography of Jesus of Nazareth and the Missing Years" by Richard G. Patton. The Jesus of Patton's book is depicted BEFORE he was seconded by the early Church and walks the fine line that "Living Buddha.." alludes to. Excellent book, compassionately delivered.
Rating:
Summary: Christianity vs. Buddhism ? This shows the common thread.
Review: For those who are frustrated with the rigidness and intolerance sometimes found in Christianity and for those who seek to find a foot hold in Buddhist teachings, this book explains how we can take action and be progressive peacemakes to ourselves and our world community.
Rating:
Summary: EVERY FUNDAMENTALIST SHOULD READ THIS BOOK!
Review: This is the work of a man who knows both Buddha and Jesus. This work is extremely important and necessary.
Rating:
Summary: Living work that will inspire anyone regardless of religion
Review: Thay or teacher gives a powerful insight into the everyday Buddhist or Christian. The point is to transcend the borders of dogma and religion and
to live with the spirte everyday. His experience gives humankind a unique view of a man who's
world is peace. I recommend this book to anyone who wants to know how they could live a less stressfull life. Life is fun. Religion should not be a way to segregate the world but to bring us together
Rating:
Summary: A Moving Call to Deeper Understanding
Review: In the spirit of full disclosure, I want to start by saying that I am a Buddhist and admirer of Thich Nhat Hanh. With that said, this is my heartfelt take on this book: Many have said that "Living Buddha, Living Christ" misrepresents and distorts Christianity in favor of Buddhism, but I feel they are incorrect. What Nhat Hanh argues for in this book is the dropping of our concepts of Christ and of Buddha. If we are caught in our own concepts, then we believe we have nothing to learn. If we stop learning and realizing, then we will not continue our voyage of spiritual discovery. Culturally, the East and West have been caught in dogma instead of direct spiritual experience, and Thich Nhat Hanh asks us to let go of our concepts and realize that the Truth is indeed beyond our petty attempts to capture it in our narrow, sectarian views. Many observations he makes may not be "orthodox", but that is the point: religions must be open to examination and honest inquiry if we are to grow beyond our current limited understanding. This applies to both Buddhism and Christianity. He is not afraid of reinterpreting his own tradition or others, because the faith expressed in this book is one of personal experience, not mystical conjecture. Nhat Hanh insists that a belief must be open to examination and reinterpretation or else it is frozen and "dead". His quoting of Gnostic gospels is, in my opinion, very fitting, precisely because it is not status quo. It shows that alternate views are historically and culturally relevant. If it had not been for the politics of the early Christian church, some form of Gnostic view would very likely be the orthodox view today. (Note: "Gnostic" is a very broad term which actually comprises several different views which were grouped together as one "heresy" by their detractors. These views were very popular among many early Christians.) Nhat Hanh's use of Gnostic references is a valid attempt to show that just because something is orthodox does not mean it is the only (or best) answer. It must not be overlooked that Nhat Hanh is not tryng to set up new dogma, but rather trying to show us how to transcend our narrow views. It is a verifiable fact that all experience is subjective, and he makes an excellent case for humility and wisdom when dealing with others' perceptions of reality. Perhaps if we all could let go of our desire to have THE answers and THE inside track, we could see beyond the established views we have been fed and experience the world around us with clarity and compassion, which are core teachings of both Christianity and Buddhism. This beautifully written, poetic prose points us to a place beyond comfortable "because-I-said-so" theology, and helps put us face to face "the All", of which we are a part.
Rating:
Summary: AWESOME READ!
Review: IN TIMES PAST AS IS NOW, I BELIEVE GOD HAS HIS OWN TIMETABLE... REVELATION (THE CONCEPT, NOT THE BOOK) IS A LINEAR THING...AND IT IS ABOUT TIME WE CHRISTIANS OPENED OUR UNDERSTANDING TO THE EASTERN THOUGHTS THAT ARE SO IN TUNE WITH THE WORDS OF CHRIST!
THICH HAS FINALLY OPENED THE DOOR FOR BELIEVERS IN CHRIST TO READ THE TRUTH OF THE BUDDHA AND UNDERSTAND THAT THEY FIT TOGETHER LIKE A PUZZLE.
CHRISTIANS UNDER THE GUISE OF SUPERIORITY HAVE GONE INTO FOREIGN LANDS AND CONVERTED THE "HEATHEN" AND TRIED TO AMERICANIZE CULTURES THAT ARE A THOUSAND YEARS OR MORE OLDER THAN OUR OWN 21ST CENTURY GARBAGE.
IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT EVERY BORN AGAIN CHILD OF GOD READ THIS BOOK! THIS NOT A CULT BOOK, IT IS GOD'S TRUTH FROM THE OTHER SIDE OF THE MOUNTAIN THAT WILL OPEN YOUR EYES AND STRENGTHEN YOUR FAITH. THE PAST IS GONE..WE CANNOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT THAT... THE FUTURE IS AHEAD..THAT TOO IS UNKNOWN TO US...WE LIVE IN THE NOW..THIS MOMENT...GOD IS THE GREAT "I AM"..IN THE NOW..ALWAYS IN THE NOW!! FAITH IN JESUS THE CHRIST REMOVES THE PAST...ASSURES US OF THE FUTURE...AND LIVES WITH AND IN US NOW!
TO NOT UNDERSTAND THIS CONCEPT....YOU WILL BE SCARED OF THE TEACHINGS OF BUDDHISM....HE ISN'T A SAVIOR..HE IS A TEACHER... HEED THE WORDS OF THIS HUMBLE MONK....AND BE CHANGED FOREVER!
DON'T BE LIKE THE CHILD STANDING WITH HIS EYES CLOSED WISHING HE COULD SEE THE FOREST AND GRASS AND FLOWERS AND ANIMALS AND BIRDS... SIMPLY OPEN YOUR EYES TO THE TRUTH THAT WAS THERE FOR YOU TO SEE ALL THE TIME.... IF ONLY WE WOULD SET ASIDE TIME FROM OUR HURRY HURRY RUSH RUSH SCHEDULE AND SPEND QUALITY TIME WITH THE MAKER AND SUSTAINER OF THE UNIVERSE...THICH TELLS YOU HOW....
IF ONLY YOU WILL HEED THE WORDS ... OF BOTH THE CHRIST AND THE BUDDHA....AND SEEK WHAT IS WITH YOU NOW..THIS MOMENT..IT MAY BE ALL YOU HAVE! USE IT WISELY!!!
Rating:
Summary: Very close and similar, but definitely different
Review: As a Chinese Christian in Hong Kong who knows Christianity and Buddhism quite well (better the former than the latter, just opposite to the author), I am obliged to voice out my opinion despite my genuine appreciation of the author's effort to reconcile the differences or even conflicts between the two religions which the author deliberately named them as "traditions" instead.
Certainly, there are many similarities in elements like love, compassion, kindness, mindfulness, simplistic lifestyle and so on. However, the fundamental differences are insurmountable. Christians pray to Jesus and God for deliverance. Buddhists meditate to get solutions from within. Christians refer to the Bible for ultimate direction. Buddhists are not encouraged to stick to any "book" at all. Christians dont believe in reincarnation. Buddhists do. Jesus and the Holy Spirit "is" the one and only Creator. Buddhism talks vaguely little about the origin of life. In fact, what disturbed me most is the author's equating Buddha to Jesus and Mindfulness to the Holy Spirit.
I am not advocating intolerance nor rivalry against Buddhists nor Buddhism. My wife is a quasi Buddhist (a lot of Hong Kong people regards themselves to be) and our marriage is quite against the teaching in the New Testament. In my opinion, Buddhism, in particular the Zen tradition, is a great lifestyle or philosophy to be seriously studied and followed, but not a religion of (before) life and death (after). Buddhists can be just the same lovely and lovable as any christian, and we shouldnt label or judge anyone by what one believes. Actions always talk louder than empty words.
Anyway, this is a good book for thought, though I think it might be more suitable for Christians who have a solid understanding of their own religion, say, through study of the whole Bible several times. For interested christians who want to look into this area about living with both Christianity and Buddhism, I would strongly recommend the book "The Silence of Unknowing: The key to the Spiritual Life" by Terence Grant.
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