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Summary: Buddha and Paul; NOT Buddha and Jesus
Review:
As a Christian, I found this book more than a little disturbing. It is not a dialogue between the Buddha and Jesus: It is a dialogue between the Buddha and St. Paul, posing as Jesus.
Zacharias' conflation of the personalities and teachings of Jesus and St. Paul is intellectually dishonest and theologically untenable. What Zacharias ends up preaching would be better termed "Paulianity," a theology in which Paul substitutes in toto for Jesus Christ.
While Paul's message about the Risen Christ is of course central to our understanding of Jesus' living ministry during his time on Earth, Zacharias commits a grave error, and a gross simplification of Christianity, by presenting Paul and Jesus, and their respective teachings, as one and the same.
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Summary: A cheap shot.
Review: A condemnation of Buddhism by a Christian insider who obviously has little experience with Buddhism.
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Summary: one reader
Review: An attemp to distort Buddhism by a christian
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Summary: An Interaction of Worldviews
Review: As an avid Ravi Zacharias fan, I eagerly anticipated the release of The Lotus and the Cross and I was thoroughly pleased with the book's content and style. Ravi Zacharias has a reputation for his intellect and sensitivity, being able to engage both the mind and the heart. I applaud him on a job well done.Possible voices of dissension could arise from a Christian perspective in wondering how ANYONE could imagine being able to speak in the place of Jesus. As a Christian, I can respond by admitting that Ravi Zacharias, of course, will be fallible in representing Jesus. But what you find as you read the book is that Zacharias is very faithful to the Bible in representing Jesus, paraphrasing Jesus' words from various passages in the Bible, and sometimes even quoting the Biblical Jesus word for word. And it is not difficult to read this book imagining this version of Jesus as "Ravi's version of Jesus" and still benefit from the book. An even further complaint could come from the Buddhist who might argue that Gautama Buddha was misrepresented or distorted. As a non-Buddhist, I eagerly anticipate responses of where Zacharias may have been historically or doctrinally inaccurate of Buddha's positions. I also look forward to hearing Buddhist reactions in how the character of Buddha is treated. One complaint that I do not think is legitimate is one that says, "Jesus seemed to come out in the upper-hand of all of the arguments." The legitimate complaint would not be who comes out upper-hand, but whether or not both positions were presented fairly and accurately. While we should be sensitive, truth is what we are searching for, not pluralism. Aside from these objections, The Lotus and the Cross is a very easy-read and is captivating from cover to cover. The book opens with the story of a girl who left her home to seek life in the city, was raped, became a prostitute, and eventually contracted AIDS and burned herself. What would Jesus have said in response to the plight of this suffering and anguished girl? What would Buddha have said? What would they have said to each other? The plot is engaging as both Buddha and Jesus present their answers to life's struggles, engaging each other in cordial dialogue. For the average Christian, this may a good intro into the basics of Buddhism. From the opening prologue to the closing words of Jesus and Buddha, this is a very fascinating and engaging book and would be a benefit for both Christian and Buddhist alike.
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Summary: Good book, but more for Buddhists then Christians.
Review: As others have said this book BARELY scratches the surface on the contrast of the two. I don't have the most informed opinion on the subject, but from what little I've studied I'd say it's accurate. Espeically since the author holds a master's degree. I give this book 4 stars and not five only becuase I don't feel that Buddha had enough of a hearing. The slant was, understandibly, Christian. Now I know everything Jesus teaches and everything that he claimed to be, but not enough about Buddha. It would've been nice to the Lotus flower a little more. That's why I say that Buddhists should read this book more then a Christian. Regardless of how accurate the interpatation of Buddhism is, it is VERY clear about the diffrences between the two great religions. I think about the biggest aspect is that Buddha doesn't believe in an intellegent higher power interacting in the affairs of man, but that belief is central to Christianity. It also illustrates that the Buddhist must reach his ultimate goal entirely on his own strength, whereas the Christian meets his ultimate goal (salvation) by God's Grace and God's power. It's a guanteed ticket that you didn't do for yourself in otherwords. Also to clear up the end of the Book, when Pirya asks Buddha and Christs to go with and Buddha says "I can't" it was more to illustrate that Christ is not a God who taught and then "went away" but rather Christ is a God who is still able to be active in our lives, as seen by the revelation of John, the Doctrine that comes from other books in the Bible, and every single testimony of a REAL Christian. As far as I know, Buddhism can't make that claim. Bottom line? If you're a Christian curious about Buddhism, this book is a starter at best, but I would look to this author's other books. But if you're a Buddhist, I HIGHLY recommend this book, espiecally if you've delved into the comparison books. Even if his interpation of Buddha's teachings are totally off, his interpation of Christ's is dead on. Fascinating either way though.
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Summary: Two Minds Meet.
Review: As September 11th shows, we are not one world, and these types of books can help open our mind. Dr. Z's expertise comes from who he is--an Indian who emigrated to Canada, then to the United states. So he is really capable because he is an amphibian: both Eastern and Western, Hindu and Christian. He follows the Platonic pattern of not selling a syllogism, but designing a dialogue to illustrate an idea. This is a hypothetical qudrologue involving Jesus and Buddha as they discuss and talk with a young prostitute about why she is dying of AIDS. Hardball questions with hardball answers. I am impressed with the amount of research Dr. Z put into this book--hours and hours of interviews with Buddhist monks in Malaysia, Thailand, India, and Singapore. That may be why so many people don't like the book: Dr, Z is discussing real Buddhism, not the watered down, Americanized Buddhism that is more a combination of Star Trek and Hallmark than anything that the Buddha ever taught. The book is small, with an unimposing 94 pages and is 6" X 6", so it can be read in one setting. The cover and illustrations are soft and inviting, much like any "Deep thoughts" book. The binding has held up to my rough handling. This book will not satisfy everyone, since it deals with very hard and sensitive issues, very personal issues, but I hope that quote-unquote sensitivity is not a cop out from thought and a well-meaning calm discussion. I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and it is an odd thing not to see my religion criticized, but I have never backed down from a free and honest discussion. In fact, if religion cannot stand up to hardball and slicing questions, then it is as Gov. Jesse Ventura has said, just "a sham and a crutch for weak-minded people who need strength in numbers."
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Summary: Debate between Jesus and Buddha, guess who wins?
Review: Dr. Ravi Zacharias is a world renowned Christian speaker and has taken his usual apologetics one step further with this hypothetical conversation between Priya the Sinner, Jesus Christ the Saviour, Gautama Buddha the Enlightened One, and the Boat Driver the Clueless One. As they cruise the river in this boat, Jesus offers Priya comfort, salvation, assurance, and Buddha offers her rules, the karmic threadmill, illusions, reninciation of self. Point by point, Jesus (played by Ravi) picks apart Gautama (played by Ravi). Through the dialogue Dr. Zacharias is able to present the claims of Christ, the agape love of a God who beckons all to come to Him through Christ. As the conversation wears on, Buddha is reduced to one or two line rebuttals, "I think...I'll have to think on that. I have a terrible feeling I'm backing myself into a corner here." "The thought is deep...and troublesome. But I have to agree with it." All philosophical debate out of the way, Jesus then offers Priya and the Boat Driver (Wat) that He has paid for all of their sins, and that she will have eternal life if she believes in Him. Buddha can only offer the Triple Gem, which Jesus shreds as empty nothingness. He offers to exchange Priya's cup of sin and giver her a fresh cup of eternal life. Buddha replies, "It's getting a bit dark; it's time to return. Who'll pay the boatman? I don't keep any money with me." Jesus' last word is Rev 3:20, He'll go home with Priya and Wat. Buddha's is "No, I can't." Jesus says: "I can". There are deep meanings found in the dialogue, and this book will present the Gospel of Jesus Christ to Buddhists and other interested parties, but I found it slightly amusing that both Jesus and Buddha sounded a lot like Ravi Zacharias. Somehow I cannot imagine Jesus actually talking like a Christian apologetic, "Which means the absolute you posit becomes only relatively true. If it's only relatively true, it can no longer be stated as an absolute.", as He spoke in parables in the Bible to illustrate the same principles. I would recommend instead reading a Bible and looking at the words in red. :-) I would also recommend listening to Dr. Zacharias' radio program www.rzim.org if you want to learn more about different world views between Christianity and other religions and our postmodern culture. Dr. Zacharis also has an excellent book on this subject "Jesus Among Other Gods". Dr. Zacharias does offer an unique point of view having been raised in the East among Hindus (although he himself was never a Hindu), and then immigrating to the West and traveling around the world. In addition, he is well educated on philosophy, comparative religion and cultures and is living an interesting life.
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Summary: The worst distortion of Buddhism I've ever read!
Review: First of all, Mr. Zacharias conveniently chose an unstable country as the representation of the Buddhist nation, then boldly made the vague and misleading statement of "how does one talk about eternal when both religion and riotous living argue that nothing is permanent?" The situation in Thailand is mostly factored by social and economic issues than religion. Secondly, the portrayal of 'Buddha' is misleading and incorrect. (Review from Chris Stager of Rochester, NY explained this in detail) At some point of the book, Buddha and Jesus had a dispute as to who came first; (which was becoming childish) then Buddha seemed a bit 'upset' that Jesus had called him by his earthly name 'Gautama' and proceed to explain that ever since his enlightenment, no one had dare use his earthly name. Mistake: an enlightened being transcends all superficial ideas that are related to ago such as name, birth date... Thirdly, Mr. Zacharias's ideas of 'karma', 'reincarnation', 'nirvana' (or enlightenment) are half-fast. Mr. Zacharias had reduced the whole Buddhist idea to simple 'paying the debt' and 'creditors'. 'Paying the debt' is not the real goal of 'reincarnation' or 'rebirth' as Mr. Zacharias had Buddha put it, reaching 'nirvana' is. Furthermore, Mr. Zacharias misrepresent the Buddhist idea of "nonexistent of self" as erase of individuality; while Jesus insisted that human can be individuals but cannot be autonomous.
In my 32 years of reading classic and modern Chinese literature, I have never encountered such false portrayal of any Buddha. Mr. Zacharias's Buddha is a petty, self-righteous HUMAN, not an enlightened being. If I was a Buddhist, I'll be offended (although a true Buddhist will care less about it), if I was a Christian, I'll be embarrassed.
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Summary: Review from Trina Baughn
Review: For someone who knew little about Buddhism, I found Zacharias' perspective very compelling. Though some have stated that he posed a Christain-bias, he has always been one to be respectful and careful in presenting his views.
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Summary: Filled with misunderstanding
Review: For the record, I have been studying comparative world religion for 7 years. This is *not* a book for someone interested in knowing how Christianity and Buddhism relate to each other. This is a book that demeans and skews the teachings of the Buddha in order to serve a Christian agenda. There is no true attempt to portray an accurate view of the Buddha's teachings, but, instead, a poorly veiled attempt to show why Buddhism is 'wrong.' It is utter anti-Buddhist propaganda.
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