The Good Heart: A Buddhist Perspective on the Teachings of Jesus (Paperback)

by Dalai Lama (Author), Robert Kiely (Editor), Geshe Thupten Jinpa (Translator), Laurence Freeman (Introduction) "The lecture room in Middlesex University in North London was not grand: it was a rather narrow, cramped space with a steeply rising bank of..." (more)
Key Phrases: mental sinking, tranquil abiding, final nirvana, Father Laurence, Kingdom of God, Holy Spirit (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
The result of the Dalai Lama's decision to lead the 1994 John Main Seminar sponsored by the World Community for Christian Meditation, this book is a record of the seminar. It is refreshing to read the Dalai Lama's meditations on the New Testament selections, many of which he had never read before this seminar but which are among the most familiar for Christians. As His Holiness thinks about famous passages like the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:1-10) and Jesus' resurrection appearance to Mary (John 20:10-18), we see them from the entirely new perspective of Tibetan Buddhist spiritual knowledge and understanding. Consequently, familiar passages are renewed and opened to unexpected insights. In his readings and his dialogues with other seminar participants, the Dalai Lama establishes himself as an authentic presence respectful of Christian traditions. Indeed, he insists that his purpose in the dialogues is not to cast doubt on Christianity but to help others rediscover the deeper meaning and power of the Christian tradition. This is a fascinating book which deserves a great deal of attention in these times of multicultural exchange.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal
This is a record of a meeting in London in 1994 at which the Dalai Lama read selections from the Gospels and commented on them from a Buddhist point of view. (LJ 7/96)
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Wisdom Publications (April 25, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0861711386
• ISBN-13: 978-0861711383
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #44,577 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

105 of 108 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Not what I was hoping for, but very good nonetheless, December 15, 1999

By	Buckeye (Harvard, MA USA) - See all my reviews

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.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good Heart - Good Marriage, March 10, 2006

By	Tralvex Yeap "Visionary" (Singapore) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

My wife is a practising Catholic, while I'm a practising Buddhist.

This meaningful book help guide our family spiritual practice, to the dismay of some fundamentalists/extremists from both sides.

May all beings be well and happy.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Interesting,insightful,though no longer unique, February 8, 2001

By	A. Hogan (Brooklyn, NY USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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.