Compassion and Meditation: The Spiritual Dynamic between Buddhism and Christianity [Paperback]

Jean-Yves Leloup (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 25, 2009

A profound reflection on how complementary themes in Buddhism and Christianity could serve as the basis for a truly ecumenical faith

• Compares Zen meditation with the Greek Orthodox practice of Hesychasm (prayer of the heart)

• Shows how Buddha and Jesus represent the distinct yet complementary values of meditation and compassion

In Asian spiritual traditions the mountain traditionally symbolizes meditation while the ocean signifies compassion. Jean-Yves Leloup uses this metaphor to compare Buddhist and Christian approaches to meditation and compassion to reveal the similarities and divergences of these profound practices. Emphasizing their complementary nature, Leloup describes how Jesus and Buddha are necessary to one another and how together they form a complete system: Jesus as awakening through love, and Buddha as awakening through meditation. Where Buddha represents the forests, Jesus represents the trees. Buddha is brother to the universe, whereas Jesus is brother to humanity.

Nevertheless, these two religious traditions have a profound common ground. Compassion is central to Buddhism, and meditation practices have been central to many Christian traditions. Both view murder, theft, and the destructive use of sexuality as great barriers to realizing our essential being, and both agree on the need to rise above them. Here, however, Leloup suggests that both faiths could benefit from the precepts of the other. The complementary aspects of Christianity and Buddhism offer the possibility for a truly profound ecumenical religion whose interfaith relations are based on deep understanding of the true meaning and practice of meditation and compassion and not merely shared goodwill.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Jean-Yves Leloup is that rare Christian who has mined the spiritual depths and mysteries of Christianity. His Christianity is neither staid nor boring, but alive and deep, fresh and ancient. Buddhism takes on new meaning in this context so that we learn how the wisdom of each tradition, East and West, allows the Great Mystery to become grounded in our own being and from there into active compassion to our broken world.”
(Matthew Fox, author of Original Blessing, A New Reformation, and One River, Many Wells: Wisdom Springing from Global Faiths )

". . . worth consideration for an interfaith readership . . . "
(Library Journal, Oct 2009 )

"If one wishes to make sense of the world, French Orthodox priest Jean Yves Leloup believes the tools are to be found in the Christian and Buddhist camps equally."
(ForeWord Reviews, Sept 2009 )

" . . . [Leloup's] perspective on Buddhism is unique. . . . meditation practitioners interested in comparative religions may gain something from Leloup's perspective."
(Publishers Weekly Religion Bookline, Sept 2009 )

"New age and spiritual libraries on both sides need this."
(The Midwest Book Review, Nov 2009 )

" . . . worthwhile challenge for anyone wishing to learn more about meditative practices and comparative religion."
(William J. Kanallery, MultiCultural Review, Vol. 19, No. 1, Spring 2010 )

"This book was a refreshing read.  Too often when a book discusses two religious systems it tries to put one above the other, or tries too hard to erase any differences.  Leloup takes the middle path and discusses two faiths without making one out to be superior, and without making them into one practice.  Christianity and Buddhism are both revered, and kept distinct, complimenting each other like Mind and Heart; Compassion and Meditation."
(Spiral Nature, September 2010 )

From the Back Cover

COMPARATIVE RELIGION

“Jean-Yves Leloup is that rare Christian who has mined the spiritual depths and mysteries of Christianity. His Christianity is neither staid nor boring, but alive and deep, fresh and ancient. Buddhism takes on new meaning in this context so that we learn how the wisdom of each tradition, East and West, allows the Great Mystery to become grounded in our own being and from there into active compassion to our broken world.”
--Matthew Fox, author of Original Blessing, A New Reformation, and One River, Many Wells: Wisdom Springing from Global Faiths

In Asian spiritual traditions the mountain traditionally symbolizes meditation while the ocean signifies compassion. Jean-Yves Leloup uses this metaphor to compare Buddhist and Christian approaches to meditation and compassion to reveal the similarities and divergences of these profound practices. Emphasizing their complementary nature, Leloup describes how Jesus and Buddha are necessary to one another and how together they form a complete system: Jesus as awakening through love, and Buddha as awakening through meditation. Where Buddha represents the forests, Jesus represents the trees. Buddha is brother to the universe, whereas Jesus is brother to humanity.

Nevertheless, these two religious traditions have a profound common ground. Compassion is, in fact, central to Buddhism, and meditation practices have been central to many Christian traditions. Both view murder, theft, and the destructive use of sexuality as great barriers to realizing our essential being, and both agree on the need to rise above them. Here, however, Leloup suggests that both faiths could benefit from the precepts of the other. The complementary aspects of Christianity and Buddhism offer the possibility for a truly profound ecumenical religion whose interfaith relations are based on deep understanding of the true meaning and practice of meditation and compassion and not merely shared goodwill.

JEAN-YVES LELOUP is a theologian, French Orthodox priest, Coptic translator, and founder of the Institute of Other Civilization Studies and the International College of Therapists. His other books in English include the bestselling The Gospel of Mary Magdalene, The Gospel of Thomas, The Gospel of Philip, Judas and Jesus, and The Sacred Embrace of Jesus and Mary. He lives in France.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: Inner Traditions; Original edition (June 25, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1594772770
• ISBN-13: 978-1594772771
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #432,898 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Compassion and Meditation, January 23, 2011

By 

Rebecca L. Elson "Publisher, The Magical Buffet" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Compassion and Meditation: The Spiritual Dynamic between Buddhism and Christianity (Paperback)

This review originally appeared on The Magical Buffet website on 8/12/09.

I'm not entirely sure of the statistical accuracy, but according to Adherents.com there are roughly 376 million Buddhists worldwide, with the 2008 Pew Survey saying there are roughly 2 million Buddhists in America. Even if these surveys aren't entirely accurate, it's safe to sum up that there are a whole lotta' Buddhists out there. And yet, how much do most of us Americans know about this religion? I'll admit that despite penning an article here and there that discuss a facet of the faith, I don't know that much. I'm guessing many of you guys reading this don't know much either.

Is Buddhism an exotic religion, filled with themes and ideas that are alien to our predominately Christian nation? Not according to Jean-Yves Leloup, author of "Compassion and Meditation: The Spiritual Dynamic Between Buddhism and Christianity".

Leloup weaves a soothing tapestry between Buddhist and Christian thought. The author shows that compassion and spiritual integrity can be found easily in both faiths, and that the Buddhist practice of meditation and the Christian tradition of hesychast is a profound tie that binds.

"Compassion and Meditation" is meant to be a meaningful examination of the similarities of the two faiths (which it is), but it also serves as an introduction to many basic Buddhist concepts, and the presumably (I hadn't heard of it before this book.) little heard of practice of hesychast.

If you're looking to learn a little about Buddhism, and see a side of Christianity that is rarely discussed, this book is a must read.

6 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars New age and spiritual libraries on both sides need this, November 16, 2009

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Compassion and Meditation: The Spiritual Dynamic between Buddhism and Christianity (Paperback)

COMPASSION AND MEDITATION: THE SPIRITUAL DYNAMIC BETWEEN BUDDHISM AND CHRISTIANITY is a fine comparative religion guide surveying Asian spiritual traditions and comparing Buddhist and Christian thinking. These two religious traditions have many common links, and both faiths could benefit from understanding these links. New age and spiritual libraries on both sides need this.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful Distillation of Spiritual Insights, June 29, 2011

By 

Samuel T. Stevenson (Fredericksburg, VA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Compassion and Meditation: The Spiritual Dynamic between Buddhism and Christianity (Paperback)

I just finished reading Compassion and Meditation, and cannot praise it enough. There is an amazing amount of spiritual wisdom in this short book. Leloup presents complementary practices from two ancient traditions, Christian and Buddhist, and demonstrates how both can contribute to spiritual development. Although the book is formally divided between the Christian and Buddhist approaches to meditation and development of compassion, Leloup brings in aspects of each in the discussion of the other, resulting in a complex inter-weaving of valuable insights from both. I would highly recommend this book for anyone interested in getting beyond the basics of spiritual practice and moving on to practices that will result in real and fundamental change.