The classic text’s twentieth anniversary edition, which has been updated, edited, and includes a journal on mindful living,. Over two millennia, the teachings and practices of Buddha and Christ possibly the two most influential personalities in human history—have influenced the lives of billions of people. What would each of them think of the other’s spiritual beliefs and activities if they happened to cross paths today?
As a participant in a decades-long conversation between two great traditions of contemplation, Thich Nhat Hanh offers Christianity a perspective on its beauty that an outsider could only express.
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He reawakens our awareness of both faiths by examining the intersection of holiness and compassion in clear, contemplative writing. “On the altar in my hermitage,” he continues, “are images of Buddha and Jesus, and I touch both of them as my spiritual ancestors.
About the Author
A Vietnamese Buddhist Zen Master, poet, and peace campaigner, Thich Nhat Hanh (1926–2022) is regarded as one of the world’s most renowned and significant spiritual leaders. He became a Zen Buddhist monk at the age of sixteen after being born in 1926.
He was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in 1967 by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. because of his efforts to promote peace and reconciliation during the Vietnam War. Van Hanh Buddhist University and the School of Youth for Social Service, a corps of Buddhist peace activists, were established in Vietnam by Thich Nhat Hanh.
He continued to rescue boatpersons and assist in the resettlement of refugees while in exile for his efforts to promote peace. Plum Village France, the largest Buddhist monastery in Europe and the centre of the global Plum Village Community of Engaged Buddhism, was founded by him in 1982.
He authored a hundred books over his seven decades as a teacher, and they have sold millions of copies worldwide and been translated into over forty languages.
Review
The major spiritual traditions of the globe have always captivated me. Not in a “which one is right?” sense, but rather as a method to appreciate several lovely languages, each with its own vocabulary and syntax but all able to convey profound human truths. Nevertheless, the apparent disparities across religions might occasionally seem like enormous seas. Is a bridge actually possible?
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That bridge is “Living Buddha, Living Christ” by Thich Nhat Hanh, which was constructed with such soft understanding, wisdom, and grace that crossing it seems more like returning home to a holy, shared space than it does like engaging in a theological exercise.
This book is not advocating combining Christianity and Buddhism into a single religion. Rather, it’s a sincere, perceptive examination of the basic ideas of Buddha and Jesus that demonstrates their deep similarities.
Thich Nhat Hanh is the ideal leader for this trip because of his strong Buddhist ties and receptiveness to Christianity. Every page is infused with his description of touching representations of Jesus and Buddha on his altar, whom he describes as his spiritual forefathers.
His portrayal of the dynamic nature of both traditions struck me as having the most impact. It’s not only about historical personalities or old writings; it’s also about how we act out the lessons of love, compassion, and awareness in the present moment.
He demonstrates how the core of these approaches is very similar by drawing comparisons between ideas such as the Holy Spirit and mindfulness, unconditional love and metta (loving kindness).
Because it spoke to my own desire for harmony and understanding in a world where ideologies frequently separate people, reading this book seemed very personal. It strengthened my understanding of the wisdom found in both religions and reaffirmed the notion that genuine spirituality is lived rather than merely believed.
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It serves as a potent reminder that acknowledging our common humanity and fostering the universal traits of love and compassion are the first steps toward achieving inner and outward harmony.
Living Buddha, Living Christ” is a priceless gem if you’re curious in Buddhism or Christianity, or if you’re just looking for a message of spiritual oneness and useful advice for leading a more compassionate life. This book gives you a sense of optimism and connectedness that goes beyond religious labels since it represents peace and understanding rather than merely talking about them.
Summary
In his book Living Buddha, Living Christ, Thich Nhat Hanh examines the parallels between Buddhism and Christianity and exhorts readers of all faith traditions to instill the virtues of understanding, compassion, and mindfulness in their everyday lives.