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684 ratings, 4.13 average rating, 84 reviews
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published
May 2nd 1996
by Rider & Co
binding
Paperback, 219 pages
isbn
0712672818
(isbn13: 9780712672818)
description
If you have always assumed that Christianity and Buddhism are as far apart philosophically as their respective founders were geographically, you may b...more
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other reviews (showing 1-20 of 969)
Read in April, 2008
I picked up this book because I thought it might give me some interesting insights into both Christianity and Buddhism (as did Zen Spirit, Christian Spirit), but I chose not to complete it after a ways into it, because I found its picture of Christianity to be insubstantial. G.K. Chesterton wasn't writing a review of this book, but he might as well have been when he said that people "are always insisting that Christianity and Buddhism are very much alike...This is generally believed, and I ...more
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Read in July, 2006
This book changed my traditional thinking of Christ as the Only Begotten Son of God, to more of an example and teacher, which makes more sense to me. The book is written with such a passive sense that it doesn't trigger religious defenses like most other church-related literature. I loved everything about it.
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The thread that binds the book is the same theme that draws many Christians toward Buddhism: mindfulness. Through anecdotes and teachings from both traditions, Nhat Hanh points out that mindfulness is an integral part of all religious practice and teaches us how to cultivate it in our own lives.
If you have always assumed that Christianity and Buddhism are as far apart philosophically as their respective founders were geographically, you may be in for a bit of a surprise. In this national best...more
If you have always assumed that Christianity and Buddhism are as far apart philosophically as their respective founders were geographically, you may be in for a bit of a surprise. In this national best...more
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recommends it for:
The spiritually curious, those with an open mind
I went to church as a Presbyterian this morning as I have just begun to do again after many, many years of being more of a Spiritualist.
Surprisingly, I could draw a lot of parallels between the Christian sermon and the Buddhist faith I haven't entirely embraced but still hold very close to my heart. Ticht Naht Hanh masterfully draws the parallels in this book, which I read so long ago I have no idea when it was.
It's a great primer if you're kind of on the fence about religion or even jus...more
Surprisingly, I could draw a lot of parallels between the Christian sermon and the Buddhist faith I haven't entirely embraced but still hold very close to my heart. Ticht Naht Hanh masterfully draws the parallels in this book, which I read so long ago I have no idea when it was.
It's a great primer if you're kind of on the fence about religion or even jus...more
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What's wrong with fruit salad!
HAHAHAahha
I had the chance to run into a monk at a barnes and noble one day and we were chatting in line. Well long story short we began talking and I mentioned this book - interestingly enough the monk I was speaking with was studying under Hanh. Immediately I recited off the top of my head my favorite poem in the world - it is by Hanh (its called peace).
I meditate to that poem.
Another interesting note about Hanh is that he lead a peace march i...more
HAHAHAahha
I had the chance to run into a monk at a barnes and noble one day and we were chatting in line. Well long story short we began talking and I mentioned this book - interestingly enough the monk I was speaking with was studying under Hanh. Immediately I recited off the top of my head my favorite poem in the world - it is by Hanh (its called peace).
I meditate to that poem.
Another interesting note about Hanh is that he lead a peace march i...more
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A beautiful little book about reconciling the divisions between Christianity and Buddhism. Hanh reminds us that when we actually live the words of Buddha or Christ there is harmony; it is mental constructs of religion that keep us seperate.
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I bought this a while ago, but keep getting distracted with other "lighter" books...
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Read in September, 2008
recommended to Bonniemk by:
I just found itrecommends it for: People who enjoy learning more about eastern spiritual traditions
I enjoyed this book not from an intellectual standpoint of Hanh's perception of christianity but the message of "mindulness" in our daily lives. That is such a valuable concept that Buddhism lends to world culture and we can all benefit from it. I also liked Hanh's teachings of enriching one another's spiritual lives by sharing and supporting eachothers distinct personal religious traditions. As a Mormon christian I am learning the importance of embracing the wonderful values of spir...more
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Read in September, 2007
I read this on a bit of a whim. I thought it sounded interesting. That's an understatement. It's the first time in my adult life I found something approaching religion/spirituality that I agreed with. It actually helped me let go of a bit of my frustration with organized religion (the Catholic church in particular).
Thich Nhat Hanh's writings are a great tool (at least for me) in teaching how to take things in stride and live in a better and happier way. His stuff is not self-improvement...more
Thich Nhat Hanh's writings are a great tool (at least for me) in teaching how to take things in stride and live in a better and happier way. His stuff is not self-improvement...more
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Read in October, 2007
What a wonder this one is. Hahn takes us through his journey of discovery from the other side of my point of view through his native Buddhism to an appreciation and celebration of Christianity, maintanining his identity and faith.
A wonderful elegy of pluralistic acceptance from the other side of the fence. It make me more open and appreciative of my own faith and in the process made me accept the Other not only on their terms but in myself as well.
A wonderful elegy of pluralistic acceptance from the other side of the fence. It make me more open and appreciative of my own faith and in the process made me accept the Other not only on their terms but in myself as well.
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a good book -- as usual, it's full of hanh's lucid insights -- just a word or two and the page is set aflame... however, i'm not sure where he gets his ideas about christianity from -- not that he has anything particularly WRONG, but the ideas are really out there. i was wondering where his liberal views on the holy ghost came from, for instance.
still, it's a good read, and does a great job bringing the two worlds together. not perfect, but damn good.
still, it's a good read, and does a great job bringing the two worlds together. not perfect, but damn good.
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Read in April, 2008
I thought this book was fantastic. This book was written by a Buddhist monk who, as he puts it, feels as though he has roots in Buddhism and Christianity. The book explains many of the similarities between Christianity and Buddhism. It was interesting to explore different parallels. I learned a lot about Buddhism in the process. I also learned a lot about the Christian religion from a Buddhist perspective. It was very interesting.
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Read in August, 2008
This author beautifully embraces all religions and gives a clear comparison of Christianity and Buddhism. It was the perfect book for someone like me, who is a Christian curious about Buddhism. I am sure it would work just as well the other way around. I share his perspective that other religions don't have to be wrong for yours to be right. We can all learn from each other.
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So inspirational and a great way to help remind you to appreciate the present and be mindful of all the great things life has to offer no matter how small. Too many people get caught up in all the bad things that have/had will happen(ed) to them that they neglect to see all the great things they have in their life and this is detrimental to leading a stable, fulfilling life.
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Read in January, 2002
I actually OWN this book as a result of a search for spirituality in college. With half my family being pseudo-buddhist and the other half christian, I liked the bottom line message which is:
if it ain't broke, don't fix it.
Just kidding- it's actually more along the lines of:
if it makes you a good person, who cares what your religion is or how it's categorized.
if it ain't broke, don't fix it.
Just kidding- it's actually more along the lines of:
if it makes you a good person, who cares what your religion is or how it's categorized.
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Read in January, 2008
I really liked this books ecumenical perspectives and goals. Also, I simply enjoy considering the similarities between Christianity and Buddhism. I do think that Thich Nhat Hahn stretches too far at points, and strives too hard in his assertion that the two faiths are one in the same. I'll definitely be going through this one again to really ponder the points he makes.
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Read in September, 2008
beware, this book/author may change you, if you fear change, stay away! i,the great carnivore became vegetarian during the reading of this wonderful book, and i'm not even done reading it. interesting reading and ideas for a christianity-aphobe to help get past the corruption of christ's teachings to the actual ideas and lessons intended.
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Thich Nhat Hanh teaches us so much in this book, but the most important lesson is that we are more alike than the same. After reading this book, it's hard to believe that so much war and suffering is caused in the name of religion. If one studies the contemplative traditions, we see that, at the root, we are more alike than different.
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recommends it for:
Buddhists, Christians, or comparative religion fans
I couldn't decide whether to put this book on the "read" or "currently-reading" shelf, because I have read, and yet I continue to read it. I will not launch into my belief in Religion as One to any length, but if you have any interest in comparative religion, this book is interesting. Thich Nhat Hanh is incredible.
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Read in January, 2005
recommends it for:
thinkers
I liked it, but I didn't love it. I felt Hanh was too concerned with handwringing the fundamental christians who would read it in bias and not as concerned with portraying a simple comparison outline of the amazing similarities between two major religions/philosophies. If you caught something you think I missed, let me know.
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currently-reading (on 90 people's shelves)
religion (on 33 people's shelves)
spirituality (on 19 people's shelves)
buddhism (on 18 people's shelves)
non-fiction (on 16 people's shelves)
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