Status
Available
Call number
Collection
Publication
Riverhead Trade (1997), 240 pages
Description
ACADEMY AWARD WINNER BEN KINGSLEY READS NOBEL PEACE PRIZE NOMINEE THICH NHAT HANH'S INSPIRING MASTERPIECE "When you are a truly happy Christian, you are also a Buddhist. And vice versa." -- Thich Nhat Hanh. World-renowned thinker and scholar Thich Nhat Hanh, considered by many to be a "Living Buddah," explores the spiritual crossroads where the traditions of Christianity and Buddhism meet. Living Buddha, Living Christ reawakens our understanding of both religions and the connections between them. The bestselling author of Creating True Peace, and one of the most beloved Buddhist teachers in the West, Vietnamese monk Thich Nhat Hanh has been part of a decades-long dialogue between the two greatest living contemplative traditions. In lucid, meditative prose, he explores the crossroads of compassion and holiness at which the two traditions meet, and reawakens our understanding of both. "On the altar in my hermitage," he says, "are images of Buddha and Jesus, and I touch both of them as my spiritual ancestors.".… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member Arctic-Stranger
I once heard it said that Buddha was not a Christian, but Christ would have made a good Buddhist. In this book Thich Nhat Hanh wraps his arms around Christianity, with mixed results. It is clear that there are elements of Christianity he either ignores, or does not understand. On the other hand, he
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pulls out things in the Christian Tradition, that Christians have ignored or forgotten. I highly recommend the book for anyone who is interested in a Buddhist take on Christianity, but if you want a Christian take on how Christianity can interact with Buddhism, I find Thomas Merton to be more engaging. Show Less
LibraryThing member chersbookitlist
Thich Nhat Hanh is one of my favorite Buddhist authors. A prolific writer, he gives compassionate and wise guidance on the teachings of Buddha and the path of peace and mindfulness. In this book he goes further and reaches out to show compellingly how the essence of Jesus' and the Buddha's
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teachings are unified in love, compassion and non-judgment. Show Less
LibraryThing member cmiller237
Very interesting parallels from two faith traditions
LibraryThing member Othemts
An excellent and thoughtful book on the spiritual parallels among the Buddhist and Christian faith traditions. Reading this book actually encouraged me to resume going to church at a time I wasn't going. Hanh's writing on the beautiful mystery of the Eucharist was especially moving.
LibraryThing member mykl-s
Living Buddha, Living Christ by Thich Nhat Hanh (1995)
LibraryThing member devandecicco
Interesting point of view, though ultimately somewhat unsatisfying. Hanh's primacy of the Holy Spirit, even if he is unorthodox, does warrant some consideration by the orthodox Christian.
LibraryThing member devandecicco
Interesting point of view, though ultimately somewhat unsatisfying. Hanh's primacy of the Holy Spirit, even if he is unorthodox, does warrant some consideration by the orthodox Christian.
LibraryThing member judiparadis
Lots to think about here as Nhat points out, once again, the deep parallels in spiritual thought between Buddhism and Christianity. There is so much here that seems intrinsically true about the need for love, caring for ourselves and one another. A true voice for peace.
LibraryThing member LivelyLady
An explanation of Buddhism compared with Christianity in a somewhat easy to understand way. Lots to digest. I needed to read a little at a time. It is written by a Vietnamese Buddhist monk. Would be a great book for discussion..
LibraryThing member Jewel.Barnett
This is an amazing little book. It really changed my view of spirituality for the better. I am a huge Thich Nhat Hanh fan. In my dreams I visit Plum Village.
Read this book only if you want your world to be changed for the better.
Read this book only if you want your world to be changed for the better.
LibraryThing member jepeters333
When you are a truly happy Christian, you are also a Buddhist. And vice versa."
-- Thich Nhat Hanh Buddha and Christ, perhaps the two most pivotal figures in the history of humankind, each left behind a legacy of teachings and practices that have shaped the lives of billions of people over the
The bestselling author of "Peace is Every Step, " and one of the most beloved Buddhist teachers in the West, Vietnamese monk Thich Nhat Hanh has been part of a decades-long dialogue between the two greatest living contemplative traditions, and brings to Christianity an appreciation of its beauty that could be conveyed only by an outsider. In a lucid, meditative prose, he explores the crossroads of compassion and holiness at which the two traditions meet, and reawakens our understanding of both. "On the altar in my hermitage, " he says, "are images of Buddha and Jesus, and I touch both of them as my spiritual ancestors.
-- Thich Nhat Hanh Buddha and Christ, perhaps the two most pivotal figures in the history of humankind, each left behind a legacy of teachings and practices that have shaped the lives of billions of people over the
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course of two millenia. If they were to meet on the road today, what would each think of the other's spiritual views and practices?The bestselling author of "Peace is Every Step, " and one of the most beloved Buddhist teachers in the West, Vietnamese monk Thich Nhat Hanh has been part of a decades-long dialogue between the two greatest living contemplative traditions, and brings to Christianity an appreciation of its beauty that could be conveyed only by an outsider. In a lucid, meditative prose, he explores the crossroads of compassion and holiness at which the two traditions meet, and reawakens our understanding of both. "On the altar in my hermitage, " he says, "are images of Buddha and Jesus, and I touch both of them as my spiritual ancestors.
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LibraryThing member ajlewis2
In 2011 I read this book and gave it a rating of 4. In 2016 I am 26% into the book and know that I will change the rating to 5. I borrowed the e-book from the library. I know now that I will buy this book to continue reading it at this slow pace of a few pages a day. It is so in tune with the
This book is not just for Christians and it is not dogmatic. I would say that it is about real religion, though it does focus on three amazing persons: Jesus the Christ, Siddhartha the Buddha, and you.
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Christianity I want to practice and try to practice. I feel that in Thich Nhat Hanh I am touching the Living Buddha, the Living Christ who is in me. It is not a new experience, but I am drawn to believe that it can be a more usual experience than I have known. This is an amazing book. I got much from it the first time through and am getting much again on the second. It is very easy to understand with short sections that are very good to read and let sink in to my heart. This book is not just for Christians and it is not dogmatic. I would say that it is about real religion, though it does focus on three amazing persons: Jesus the Christ, Siddhartha the Buddha, and you.
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LibraryThing member d_mckinley
Not my favorite by far, i found it very repetitive in his ideas. however, his thoughts on Buddhism was interesting.
LibraryThing member erwinkennythomas
Thich Nhat Hanh’s Living Buddha, Living Christ is an attempt to look at the teachings of Buddhism and Christianity to see what they have in common. But much of the discourse of this book was centered on mindfulness. Hanh points out that the underlying phenomena could be found in the “Five
Mindfulness has to do with every aspect of a believer’s life. It’s action - how he or she breathes, prays, eats, walk, talks, and relates to others and nature. These attributes are part of the Buddhist Trinity – Buddha’s life, Dharma - teachings, and Sangha - community. Similarly Hanh sees these aspects when Christians pray “Our Father,” partake of bread and wine in the Eucharistic celebration, and worship God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Much of what Hanh discusses had to do with the way people live, their present belief systems, and how they could benefit by being mindful. He also made reference to people’s perception of life, those aspects they hold dear, and reminds believers that living has to focus on “emptiness” and “non-self.” But such concepts might be difficult for some people to grasp. However believers might realize that all entities are interdependent, a flower becomes “nothingness,” and is also a microcosm of all the elements.
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Wonderful Precepts of Buddhism— reverence for life, generosity, responsible sexual behavior, speaking and listening deeply, and ingesting only wholesome substances—can contribute greatly to the happiness of the family and society.” Similarly he finds that there is much to learn from the Ten Commandments and the Beatitudes.Mindfulness has to do with every aspect of a believer’s life. It’s action - how he or she breathes, prays, eats, walk, talks, and relates to others and nature. These attributes are part of the Buddhist Trinity – Buddha’s life, Dharma - teachings, and Sangha - community. Similarly Hanh sees these aspects when Christians pray “Our Father,” partake of bread and wine in the Eucharistic celebration, and worship God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Much of what Hanh discusses had to do with the way people live, their present belief systems, and how they could benefit by being mindful. He also made reference to people’s perception of life, those aspects they hold dear, and reminds believers that living has to focus on “emptiness” and “non-self.” But such concepts might be difficult for some people to grasp. However believers might realize that all entities are interdependent, a flower becomes “nothingness,” and is also a microcosm of all the elements.
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LibraryThing member rlf06153
Thich Nhat Hanh, a 93-year-old Buddhist monk (and friend of Thomas Merton) writes beautifully in this slim volume about the ways in which The One Truth expressed itself in various ways in our lives. Good reading for those who aren't necessarily inclined toward "western" faith traditions but find
Audience: Persons of faith who are inclined toward Eastern traditions will love this book. Full of hope for integrating Eastern and western faith traditions.
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themselves searching spiritually nonetheless. Also, Thich Nhat Hanh can be considered the grandfather of mindfulness, writing about mindfulness and the benefits of mindfulness long before it because popular in more recent years; as such, all of his books on the topic remain classics and are worth reading for those for whom mindfulness provides them access to their spiritual selves.Audience: Persons of faith who are inclined toward Eastern traditions will love this book. Full of hope for integrating Eastern and western faith traditions.
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Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
1995
Physical description
208 p.; 4.52 inches
ISBN
1573225681 / 9781573225687
Local notes
Marginal Notations