Rating: 
Summary: I didn't understand it, but it's a good read...
Review: How to review this? Perhaps someone else would be able to give a more accurate review of this book, but damn, it's deep. While the "plot" (more accurately an idea) is simple, the content is life changing. Christian, Jew, Buddhist, Hindu, Atheist, etc....all should read this and see how it relates to their faith (or lack thereof).
Rating: 
Summary: To clear up some misconceptions ...
Review: I am a Kadampa Buddhist monk and teacher. A Christian woman lent me this book, and I tried to read it with an open mind. However, I found it very difficult to continue after the author's horrible mis-portrayal of both the character of Buddha Shakyamuni (the "Gautama" of the book) and his teachings on Karma. I would like to clear up some misconceptions passed on in the review by undragoned1.1) "Buddha doesn't believe in an intellegent higher power interacting in the affairs of man, but that belief is central to Christianity." This may be true of the Therevada Buddhists interviewed by the author, but in Mahayana Buddhism we believe that there are countless Buddhas constantly working to free us from suffering. While the concept of "Buddha" is different from the Christian concept of "God", they do interact with us every day. 2) "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." The idea that we can achieve enlightenment on our own is foreign to Buddhism. It requires a great deal of help: blessings from enlightened beings (very similar to Christian "grace"), guidance from teachers, and help from spiritual friends. Yes, there is also work to be done from our own side, but this is only possible with help from holy beings. 3) Buddhism *can* make the claim that Buddha Shakyamuni "is still able to be active in our lives". See above. 4) The back cover of the book claims that Buddha denies that the self even exists. This is a gross oversimplification of Buddha's teachings on emptiness, and in particular the selflessness of persons. This topic is very subtle and very deep; I cannot do it justice here. Suffice it to say that the critical question is not *whether* the self exists, but *how* it exists. The self exists, but not in the way that we think it does. I gave this book two stars rather than one merely to give it the benefit of the doubt; I have not finished it and probably won't. I cannot recommend it to anyone. Christians reading this book will be deceived about the real nature of Buddhism, and Buddhists reading this book will see an insulting distortion of their religion. If you want to read an authentic explanation of Buddhism, I can recommend "Introduction to Buddhism" by Geshe Kelsang Gyatso. Other customer reviews have referenced some good, authentic books as well.
Rating: 
Summary: Simple yet thought provoking
Review: I am an Asian who is exposed to different kinds of Buddhism and often puzzled by its different school of thoughts. I now live in Thailand and work with the Thais 24/7. In this book, Ravi primarily describes the kind of Buddhism practised in Thailand and it's neighbouring countries. However, he also briefly yet abtly pointed the root beliefs and principles of main stream buddhistic philosophy. I must conclude that Ravi has scholistically pointed out and compared the differences between Christianity and Buddhism and present HOPE, in which the first offers, to the reader. Having been a buddhist half of my life and now living among millions of them, I must admit the latter's philosophy is one which offers hope only to a hopeless future, and its followers pursuing, ultimately, nothing. More could be said but the advise is, get a copy and read it with an open mind.
Rating: 
Summary: Misrepresentation of Buddhism
Review: I am one class short of completing a MA in Contemplative Religions, so I have some knowledge in this area. Mr. Zacharias seriously misrepresents Buddhist teachings and the personality of the Buddha. He limits the Buddhist view to the narrowest and most restrictive interpretation in every case. He presents only the Theravada Buddhist view, and then only the most negative interpretation of this view. He ignores the Mahayana and Vajrayana teachings. Both of these schools would do better in this "face-off". The Buddha NEVER denied God, only that our conditioned concept of God was not the final basis of reality. The Buddha taught a Unconditioned Ultimate Reality: "Oh monk, if there were no Unconditioned there would be no escape from the conditioned." We live in the world of the conditioned - conditioned by causes and effects(karma). It is the realization of the Unconditioned state in us all that IS (already) eternal (unborn of a cause). The Christian salvation is conditioned, based on causes, it can not be eternal. Conditioned causes can only have conditioned effects. "Even if a million conditioned causes could join forces they can not change something that is conditioned into unconditioned." An unconditioned thing already exists, it is eternal and unborn of a cause, it is realized, not changed or created. This unconditioned nature is the "buddha nature" in all of us, in all things. Some would call the Unconditioned Nature a Divine Nature or "existence in (and realization of) the mind of 'God'." Virtually every Buddhist position related by Mr. Zacharias is in error. It is common in the West to think that Buddhism is atheistic, it is not, it is non-theistic. This means that Buddhism does not believe in a conditioned theistic God as the final reality (they do admit that he exists). Buddhist believe in an Unconditioned Ultimate Reality that can not be defined, limited, conceptualized, named, or otherwise limited by theistic thought. This book is little more than Christian propaganda. It is not a serious work or study.
Rating:
Summary: Heart Felt & Absorbing
Review: I bought this book on a rainy afternoon and made my way back to my little apartment. I got made myself a cup of coffee and began reading this little book. First off I was attracted to the author's humble and sensitve aproach to everyone who may happen to stumble upon this book. After the first section a tear ran down my cheek. I had not had that happen to me in a long time. It made me start thinking more seriously about the pain in people's lives around me. If nothing else this book made me feel bad about all my selfishness. I am no expert on Buddha, but I think that Racharias really did admire the serious thought that Buddha had given on life. In fact, I was suprized that a Christian author had given honor to Buddha's thoughts. I didn't exspect the author to attempt to make Buddha look as an equal to Jesus, as I am sure some wish he had, but I think that the author really did give the basics of what Buddha had thought about suffering. A few times what Buddha (in the book) had said sounded pretty good to me (to my suprize). This only made me even more interested in what Jesus would say on the next page. At this point I could not put down the book. Before I knew it two hours had passed and I was totally absorbed into the book. I was really caught up into it. I could have read for hours if the book had been longer. I was, for the first time in a long time, really thinking about what all this stuff means and exactly how serious suffering is in relation to what is really true. Later that night I got out my Bible because I wanted to hear more of Jesus' thoughts, because I was really in a mood to think seriously about what He had said, for real. It hit me after reading that night that one thing is for sure, Jesus was not merely talking about a philosophy of life or merely easing pain. He really did come from an other world. I just have a hard time reading him now and even imagining him being compared with other men. He is just plain different. I just don't know anyone one like him at all. In short, I really like this book. It was soooo interesting and that nobody can deny.
Rating:
Summary: A WONDERFUL BOOK BY AN INSIGHTFUL AUTHOR
Review: I have read three books by Mr. Zacharias to date. His writing is insightful, creative, thought provoking, and real. He is a man of God, and his heart is to serve the Holy Lord.
The Lotus & the Cross is just the newest of a great series of books.
The book is not one to read lightly, whether you are a Christian, Buddhist, atheist, whatever. I really had to ask myself what I believed in regards to my faith as a Christian. I think that Ravi Zacharias presents a realistic light on Buddha and his teachings, as well as Christ's teachings in regards to Buddhist beliefs!
Rating:
Summary: We need to see more of these kind of books
Review: I must give this book five stars just because the author had the guts to tackle a project like this! Writing and publishing a fictional dialogue between Jesus and Buddha is akin to attaching a bull's eye to your chest and proclaiming it's open season on Christian apologists. Yet this is exactly the kind of book we need to see a lot more of, and I look forward to Ravi Zacharias writing more books with Jesus conversing with many other famous religious figures throughout history. The concept behind the book is rather simple. A prostitute named Priya is slowing dying of AIDS. She takes a long, slow boat ride with both Jesus and Buddha, and they talk to her about her condition, and what she can do about it. As you might imagine, both have quite different approaches in their explanation about her current situation, and what she can do to overcome it. The time frame is the modern world, but it is important to note that the representations of Jesus and Buddha are based on the best historical documents of their teachings, and not on modern interpretations or practices. This makes sense, as both the Christian and the Buddhist religions are guilty of distorting their founder's teachings in one degree or another. Though one would think that since Ravi Zacharias is himself a Christian, and one of the most intelligent thoughtful Christian thinkers of our day, that he would unfairly tilt this conversation in Jesus' favor. Yet Zacharias seems to go out of his way to give Buddha every advantage possible and does not even allow Jesus the option of using the miraculous powers ascribed to him in biblical accounts. So the conversation is limited to the principles that each man taught, and their defense of those principles. It is very much a debate, not a showdown. To be fair, if Ravi were to allow Jesus his full nature as recorded in the Gospels, this book would be one page long, as Jesus could have healed Priya of her disease and forgiven her of her sins within a few seconds of meeting her, leaving little room for Buddha to do anything but stare in awe and wonder! (There are many accounts of Jesus doing just this sort of thing throughout the Gospel accounts.) Buddha never claimed to be divine, and even denied the importance of any sort of transcendent supreme being. But Jesus claimed to be the son of God, and often accepted the adoring worship of his followers. Buddha did not perform miracles, but the Gospel accounts are filled with Jesus healing, prophesying, and casting out demons, and raising people from the dead. Zacharias strips Jesus of most of these supernatural abilities in his book, and leaves him as a teacher only, in order to make for a more interesting comparison with Buddha. But in doing so, we don't really have an honest comparison, for Jesus often taught that knowledge in and of itself was not sufficient, but that the kingdom of God demanded action, hence the many miraculous deeds attributed to him. Jesus was not on this earth to give us a better, more profound philosophy of life, but to prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that God did in fact exist by the exercise of various compassionate miraculous acts. Yet the message was not only that God exists, but that He greatly cares for and loves each and every one of us. Yes, Buddha also preached the need for compassionate acts and demonstrated them in his own life, but it was not in order to demonstrate his divinity. If any of the two men are shown in an inaccurate light based on the best historical documents, it would have to be Jesus who suffers the greater handicap. With that in mind, do buy and read this book, and see what you think. By far one of the most thought provoking and interesting works I've read. Highly recommended.
Rating:
Summary: A very poor reflection of christianity
Review: I think that christianity and Buddhism are both beautiful pratice, but to me this book says a lot of christian behavior. When you take another faith an attempt to diminish its worth compared to your own, that shows a very shallow and hateful frame of mind. Buddhism is misrepresented by this author and book, and for those who seem to love this book i hope they know that ignorance does not defeat truth. Its very rare to find a Buddhist trying to tear down christianity, but unfortutanetly its common to see christianity seeking to tear down other systems of beleif. I am not a buddhist, but i am reading and learning about buddhism, this book did nothing more than assure me that christianity does not walk the talk.
Rating:
Summary: If you know ANYTHING about Buddhism don't bother with this
Review: I was recommended this book by a Pentecostal colleague who thought I might enjoy it once he learned I was Buddhist. I was let down. The author writes from the extreme Christian view- no one is right other than Jesus & Christianity. It was an argument not a talk & it was an insult to anyone who has studied both. Sad. I will be selling it here cheap if you really want to try it. :)
Rating:
Summary: Obvious problems
Review: If reincarnation is a type of punishment and if we, when made perfect cease to be reborn into this world why were we born into this world in the first place? (assuming there had to be a first birth) For what sin were we paying for in our first birth? And if all religions are the same why did Buddha reject Hinduism? I used to follow Zen before I made a committment to follow Christ. One thing which suprised me was that I met Christians who knew more about Zen than I did. The point being this. Sometimes you can see things more clearly from the outside than from the inside. When I was involved in Zen I was so focused on those things which were true I was unable to see all that which was false. There are serious deficiences with Buddhism. It does no good pretending that they are not there. There are some very real differences between what Christ taught and what Buddha taught. Blindness is characterized by an inability to make distinctions. Distinctions are imporant whether we are trying to understand different concepts or different religions. Teachings about what is right and what is wrong, why people suffer and how one is to please God (if that is their goal) or be saved make a real difference in how people live their lives. Lets be adult enough to admit that different beliefs amount to real differences in how we live and relate to others. Some, because they cannot see important distinctions, think that there are none. Don't be led by those who are blind. Read the book for yourself.
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