Customer Reviews

Living Buddha, Living Christ 10th Anniversary Edition

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In this short and effectual book, Thich Nat Hahn draws substantial paralells between two completely different religions from different spheres. He is asking us to look at the similarities rather than the differences. He is asking for inter-faith cooperation and communication. And, he is asking for tolerance and compassion, which Buddhism and Christianity, Hahn supposes, ask of us.
He also seems to be asking the narrowness and exclusivity that can be in Christianity, to create a space and a tolerance for other religions. But he says this on subtle levels, and with a consciousness that both religions are equally vital. At one point he states "It is not only true that Christians need Jesus, but Jesus needs Christians also for His energy to continue in this world" (p.73).
He is speaking of an aliveness that is dynamic in the practice of ones' faith. It is directly experiential. It is about bringing the presence of our minds, hearts, Holy Spirit, or however one chooses to frame it, directly into a practice such as a prayer or meditation.
He states this from a spiritual standpoint, not an intellectual one. He states it within a context of a mystic, not orthodox.
The reader may complain that he reframes Christianity in Buddhist terms. However, this is what is to be expected from a devout Buddhist.
He has opened his mind to creating a dialogue between two religions which seem to be at odds with each other, to effectively create peace, love, compassion, and harmony in the world. I believe this is what both Buddha and Jesus came here to teach.

As with his other works, Hahn's thoughts are always illuminating. I use illuminating in a very deliberate manner: he helps show us the way but is not the way(as the Buddha said, my finger may point you to the moon but my finger is not the moon). The ways of thinking expoused by both belief systems work best when they are lived. And that's his Big Idea: it is living the precepts, not thinking about them or even believing them, which is what matters. When they are lived, that is true prayer. He suggests how to do so. The book is an extended meditaion on this core idea. Good intro by Pagels.

This is a great book for thinking about the shared spiritual essence of Buddhism and Christianity. When those of different faiths disagree, they do so on points of dogma. About charity, compassion, or love, there is no disagreement, especially when these are manifest qualities of a spiritual life. Thus "the letter kills, but the spirit gives life". This is a book primarily about the spiritual life, and the unity thereof, although it also discusses the similarities and differences of specific teachings of Buddha and Christ.

I don't always like Thich Nhat Hanh's way of looking at Buddhism--he's sometimes too touchy-feely for me, and he gets a little repetitious with what I think can be interpreted as an over-emphasis on mindfulness at the apparent expense of the other seven parts of the eightfold path. Also, I'm not particularly interested in Christianity.

That said, this is a great book! By focusing on similarities and relationships between the dharma and Christian practice, to which most westerners will relate, he makes Buddhist concepts like emptiness much more "graspable" to the western mind. I imagine there are Christians who will object to some of his interpretations of Christian doctrine, but overall, it's a good study.

I facilitate a Buddhist meditation practice group in Florida, and know there are many Christians who are interested in Buddhism, meditation, etc., but don't want to give up their Christian beliefs. This book provides a good framework for integrating the two practices. I highly recommend it, and also the companion work, "Going Home: Jesus and Buddha as Brothers."

I am a Catholic and this book helps me to understand the true meaning of my faith. Shows you how much we have in common. What does it mean to live a peaceful life with yourself, nature and your surrounding.

I highly recommend this book to anyone but especially if you believe in the 12 Steps of recovery. This book helped me greatly in improving my attitude toward anyone regardless of their sex, religious back ground, race and etc, etc....

As a Roman Catholic I was delighted with the comparative look at our faith and that of the Buddhist tradition. The information and elightenment this little book provided was expanding. I suggest this book for all Christians who desire to see that peace is not limited.

Thich Nhat Hanh writes with moving eloquence in the true spirit of brotherhood. His voice bridges the perceived gaps between religions and so movingly helps us to focus on our commonalities, rather than our differences. A classic inter-religious text. Beautiful.

Thich Nhat Hanh offers a concise book on comparative religion from his own perspective. He shows how Buddhism and Christianity might be reconciled to each other, indeed how they may even be interdependent. I applaud the theme of the inclusive, and tolerant perspective, but if anyone is looking for an in-depth discourse on Buddhism, or on the problems of comparative religion, this is not the book for you. Theistically friendly, liberaly-minded persons looking for a brief overview of Christianity and Buddhism will find the book compelling and adquate.
While again I applaud Hanh's perspective, there may have been more he could have done to explore the tensions between Christianity and Hinduism. Additionally, Hanh dwells at length on Buddhist mindfulness, making the assumption that non-Buddhists will fully understand what it is.
Readable, interesting - inclusively-minded; a good gread for undergraduates.

This is one book that I go back and read again and again. There is a lot of wisdom and truth in this book and as a Catholic, I'd love to recommend it especially to my fellow Catholics. (but not only Catholic....I think all Christians should read this book) It is one of the books that I ask my children to read when they are at a point to begin to understand and appreciate it. (that has been teen years so far)

Give it as a gift to yourself this year for Christmas and then pass it on.....or keep it and re-read it again and again like I do!