Product Description

Sparkling wit and compassionate understanding mark these penetrating insights. Highly recommended.--Library Journal

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #86372 in Books
• Published on: 1998-04-25
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 224 pages

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.

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.

From Booklist
Forced by conquest and exile to carry his teachings outside his homeland, the Dalai Lama has become a global spiritual leader instrumental in the increase in frequency and meaningfulness of interfaith dialogue, that is, the quest for common ground and mutual respect in a violently divisive world. Westerners have evinced great interest in Buddhism, and Buddhists are responding with their reflections on Christianity. Thich Nhat Hanh recognized Jesus as "one of his spiritual ancestors" in Living Buddha, Living Christ (1995), and now the Dalai Lama offers stirring and revelatory commentary on the Gospels, distinguishing carefully between similarities and differences in Buddhist and Christian thought. His holiness rejects the notion of a single universal religion, believing, instead, that there is as great a value in diversity as in harmony. This heart-opening book, based on his holiness' participation in a seminar organized by the World Community for Christian Meditation, includes commentary by Benedictine monk Father Laurence Freeman and glossaries of Buddhist and Christian terms. Donna Seaman

Customer Reviews

I found it lacking
I like what a reviewer below said, that this book is written with a you are holier than thou attitude. It's very accurate. My problem with the book is that there was little substance to it. Everyone was so excited about the Dahli Lama (sp?) speaking on Christianity that they missed the fact that he taught little in his speaking. And there was so much extraneous commentary that I found it distracting. I'd like to see his Holiness do a serious book on Buddhism and Christianity since I see that the two have much in common. I'm sure Christ achieved Buddhahood.

Fresh eyes on becoming like Jesus
How does Jesus look to a Buddhist master? In this series of talks with Christian monastics, the Dalai Lama reads the Gospels with fresh eyes. He aims to sense the qualities of heart behind Jesus' words and deeds. As a Buddhist, he is concerned with how people change - how they grow in compassion, cultivate peace, and become what our greatest teachers showed we can be:

"If someone tells you that you should not be hostile toward your enemy or that you should love your enemy, that statement alone is not going to move you to change ... It is a natural human feeling, so we must have effective techniques to help us make the transition from these inherently biased feelings toward a state of greater equanimity." (p. 49)

--author of "Different Visions of Love"

An Introduction to Buddhism
this is a very special book, that is why i have given it three stars. i believe that all christians should aquire some knowledge and experience of buddhism, this would clearly make the world a more peaceful place.

the first meditation that i ever tried was through hhdl's (his holiness the dalai lama's) guidance in this book. it was also the first time that i have experienced something of what the mind is capable of... remarkable.

i was given this book by a close family friend. a very special person named fiona. my experiments with buddhism have certainly deepened my experience of our universe. we would do well to branch out in our approach towards faith. i am so grateful to fiona for the gift of this book. before reading it i had little or no understanding of any aspect of buddhism.

it seems that most traditions have something wonderful and unique to teach us about our universe. i believe that jesus with his message of love for all is saying "read this book it is special, though through it you may not learn much about what you perceive as your own faith... it will open a new door to an unexplored room in my household."

both the buddha and jesus (though not modern christians so much) believed that the kingdom of god is within one. it is like a small seed, the tiniest of all seeds, but if we are 'patient' and do a little self cultivating this little seed of love, knowledge and experience will grow into a mighty tree. self development comes the seed of the kingdom within us. hidden under layers of dust is the image of god. seek to polish this mirror and it will begin to clear. (but patience is needed with seeds, they grow slowly) all humans have the image of god - 'indestructible', gods own very image hidden away amidst the clutter and dust of our lives and distracting dogmas and beliefs. in reality we all have super nature. everyone at heart, deep down, is absolutely perfect... the true image of god. different people will come at this truth in different ways. some will say "wipe the mirror clean", "water the seed and plant it in good soil", others will say, no need to clean, no need to water. just as it is... perfect. my position is:
yes we are all deep down perfect, but it is beneficial to polish a mirror
in order to get the best out of it. to bring the deep to the surface. in this matter i differ from Hui Neng. instant enlightenment, yes, but also a little work is needed, in order to realize and refine what one already has!

i would also say that christians searching for truth outside their own tradition should not ditch their trust in jesus simply because truth can be found in other traditions, rather use any experience gained,to deepen their love for our lord and friend.

may buddhists learn more about jesus, may christians learn more about themselves and may whomsoever reads these words be blessed. amen.