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Rating: 
Summary: Wonderful - with HH Dalai Lama
Review: An interesting interpretation of Christian scriptures and concepts by His Holiness and other participants. One can "feel" from the book that all gathered there are really caring people interested in genuine interfaith dialogue without any hidden agenda, for the benefit of humanity.
Rating: 
Summary: highly recommended for mixed families!
Review: I tend to follow the precepts of buddhism and my wife is a religious catholic. The Dalai Lama makes a great and successful effort at bridging whatever gaps he finds in the two philosophies. The anecdotes and points he made in this book allowed my wife and I to really communicate on an otherwise sensitive topic.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful
Review: I've come to a point where I've realized that I've never come across a book by the Dalai Lama I didn't like. By no means does this book break away from that strict principle. While I agree with a previous reviewer who stated this kind of work isn't unique anymore, that by no means lessens the significance of Buddhist-Christian dialogues which are now taking place. If we want to be precise in the matter, Thomas Merton basically paved the way years ago with works like "Zen and the Birds of Appetite" or his lesser known "The Asian Journals." In any case, I'm here to offer you a review of the book you came to purchase today, not a rundown in inter-religious meetings in literature.
This particular work is really a transcript of a seminar H.H. the Dalai Lama had given in London back in 94 to a group of Christians. What he did was use the teachings of Jesus that paralleled with the Buddhist vision of things like world peace and universal compassion; it was truly an exceptional presentation. I doubt there are many other Buddhist teachers who could have handled this sort of discourse with questioners any better. The Dalai uses pieces such as The Sermon on the Mount (along with various other New Testament scriptures) to lay the groundwork for an erudite explanation on how what the Buddha had taught was not too dissimilar from what Jesus Christ had taught; having said this, I will note that His Holiness did not go so far as to ever state they were the same.
You and I probably know that indeed there are some fundamental differences contrasting the Buddha from Jesus. Even still, this does not discount the importance of such an encounter or the benefits many people will experience in reading it - Christians and Buddhists alike will enjoy this work tremendously, and it could make it hard for someone on the sidelines trying to choose a spiritual path to make a concrete decision...
A+++
Rating:
Summary: Not what I was hoping for, but very good nonetheless
Review: It seems strange to rate anything involving the Dalai Lama. As far as I'm concerned, he is far and away the finest and wisest human being alive. So not giving this book the full "five star treatment" feels strange to me. So here's why I only gave it four...This is a very good book that centers around issues involved in christian-buddhist dialogue. I don't think it's as good a treatment as Robert Aitken's The Ground We Share - but it's very good nonetheless. However, it could have been SO much better if it had instead addressed the gospels from the point of view of what they mean in light of buddhist approaches to leading a good life, rather than what they mean with respect to more theoretical views on buddhist cosmology, questions of christian-buddhist doctrinal similarities and differences, etc. Most of the Dalai Lama's books are very, very good in terms of relating buddhism to real life. Reading the Dalai Lama in this regard is in every respect a religious experience as well as a useful experience in learning to live a good life. However, over all I found The Good Heart to e a rather dry - though certainly scholarly - treatment of how buddhism and christianity compare and contrast with one another. So, if you're interested in buddhist-christian dialogue on doctrinal matters, this would be a very good book for you. However, if you're looking for something more along the lines of what the Gospels really MEAN in terms of developing and nurturing a "good heart" - this is not it.
Rating:
Summary: A bridges not walls book of great value
Review: One need not be a Buddhist to gain wisdom from any of the Dalai Lamas book, and personally I believe any thinking Christian whose life isn't ruled by fear, but by a quest to better understand what unites believers of Buddhism and Christianity, should love this book. The Dalai Lama is one of the gentle men of the world, ripe with leaders who see and even follow thru with acts of violence against those who disagree with their political and yes, sadly, their religious views/beliefs. I happen to be somewhat odd in that I love and often find value in books that have gems of wisdom that similar to mine, but from different religions. This book also might remind readers of another gem Zen Way Jesus Way. G~d bless the Dalai Lama and all men and women who seek peace,and who well understand the meaning of what I have read Jesus as saying "What you do to the least of them you do to me" Because this is also what I believe is the well known Golden Rule, do unto others etc.
Rating:
Summary: Interesting,insightful,though no longer unique
Review: The christian-buddhist dialogue,which has been going on for quite awhile unnoticed in the west{see the writings of Hugo-Enimoya Lasalle, William Johnston and dom Bede Griffiths}until,it appears, Thomas Merton's epochal meeting with HH dalai Lama in 1968 in Dharmasala,bears fruition in this volume. HH dalai lama comments on various New Testamnet readings, with appropriate help form Laurence freeman. Since these comments are extemporaneous, they have a vitality that would be muted in a more scholarly setting.{these meditations were done in England under the auspices of the World community of Christian Meditation}Though listening to the dalia lama on the Sermon on the mount is quite intetesting, then relating it to personal expierence and buddhist scripture, I found nothing unique here. Perhaps this meeting was best expierenced LIVE,or at least on tape.{literal transcripts often are dry] Most of HH Dalai Lamas writings I have read have been ,LIGHTER then this,both in weight and luminosity. Still, having the Dalai Lama comment on christian scripture, and willing to do so without notes and much preparation,speaks volumes for the man. Few leaders,never mind acknowledged spiritual authorities would hazzard into this territory. What Humility. Of common interest is THE GETHSEMANI ENCOUNTER,{which HH Dalai Lama participated} held at Thomas Merton's abbey in Kentucky.
Rating:
Summary: Very Inspiring
Review: Truly a holy book. The simplicity of the message dissolves many of the dogmatic and traditionalist approaches that Christianity suffers from. Its messages are simple: love and compassion, do unto to others as you would have them do unto you. It forces you to be alert to truth.
Rating:
Summary: A New Perspective on Christianity
Review: When I discovered that a book existed on this topic, I was skeptical as to the book's value. Although this book is short in length with less than 200 pages, it is full of wisdom. His Holiness the Dalai Lama is given various passages from each of the four Gospels and is asked to evaluate them. His Holiness only evaluates the meaning of the passages while avoiding criticizing Christianity. Because he believes there is no right answer, the Dalai Lama the value in having multiple religious faiths over one dominant religion. His Holiness give a new and valuable perspective to important passages of the Gospels. Christians seeking new meaning for their faith will find value in these evaluations. Similarly, Buddhists will be enlightened by the Dalai Lama's thoughts on the life of Jesus Christ. As a whole, this is a valuable read for all.
Rating:
Summary: A New Perspective on Christianity
Review: When I discovered that a book existed on this topic, I was skeptical as to the book's value. Although this book is short in length with less than 200 pages, it is full of wisdom. His Holiness the Dalai Lama is given various passages from each of the four Gospels and is asked to evaluate them. His Holiness only evaluates the meaning of the passages while avoiding criticizing Christianity. Because he believes there is no right answer, the Dalai Lama the value in having multiple religious faiths over one dominant religion. His Holiness give a new and valuable perspective to important passages of the Gospels. Christians seeking new meaning for their faith will find value in these evaluations. Similarly, Buddhists will be enlightened by the Dalai Lama's thoughts on the life of Jesus Christ. As a whole, this is a valuable read for all.
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