Living Buddha, Living Christ: 20th Anniversary Edition

Even though I'm still reading it, I am blown away by this book from Thich Nhat Hanh. I saw him the other night on YouTube talking to Oprah Winfrey, so before that I have never heard of him but was fascinated by the book she was reading which was this one.Everything I have been reading is pretty much spot on and no matter how many different faiths there are, Buddhism always shines and rings through. As one who was raised in the Christian church, we were never taught anything that was against our certain denomination because we were taught that if it's not Christ crucified or anything else, it's false. I left Apostolic Pentecostalism back in 2011 because I always felt there was more to it than the church revealed and I felt that if the church was the church, why they don't follow this Bible they call sacred. I also know that the Bible we know as today wasn't originally written 2,000 years ago either or since the Council of Nicea anyway.So reading the differences between Buddha and Christ, I have felt that for as long as I can remember and most of the things he said in the book such as being against war, I also am against and don't feel it's our responsibility to get caught in something that isn't ours to begin with. Too many times, faith is what man sees faith as and not as Source or God knows it to be. I love what he has written about tthe Spirit and the differences between meditation in Christianity and Buddhism along with scripture to support what he's talking about.I also went through DBT for my anxiety which a lot of the lessons we were taught was grounded in Buddhism so for me this became a natural thing for me and I was able to understand the differences between both faiths and it has helped me a lot but reading on Buddhism has helped me more than the Christian side. Being from that side though helped me to also walk away from it as well and to brace Buddhism more.A great book for those whose minds are open and who feel there's more to life and all this that faith isn't talking about or won't talk about without losing everyone. A great book to read!

Review of the two Books, 1) The Lotus and the Cross by Ravi Zacharias and 2) Living Buddha Living Christ by Thich Nhat Hanh"Awareness and faith are reflections of two Truths." Poem by Andrew Harrell about the One Buddha who is God's Son Christ Jesus"If we are only who we are, then who are we? And, If I AM is not who I am, then who will be?"I have studied both these books and thought about the arguments in both of them for several years now. The one gives me reasons, some of which are based on the Bible, why I should think of my future as superior to those who don't believe in the same theology as myself. The other concentrates on practical techniques to be more aware of both my impermanence, how to look deeper and be more compassionate to those around me, to be more open to change (independent of theology).... But, also my permanent divine inheritance as a living gift inside of the present moment. I prefer the second.Many Christians are quick to criticize those who teach the Buddhist and Hindu Yogic techniques of individual contemplative prayer as being un-Christian. But, after 40 years of practicing them, I am certain they are very similar to those which Jesus studied and spent a lot of time practicing when he walked on earth the for first time about 2000 years ago. One criticism is that this type of contemplative prayer does not request anything from God, it only seeks to understand how we can exist better as human beings in this present moment. Therefore, the argument goes, since we are trying to understand ourself better instead of God and since human nature is flawed in itself (something which I totally agree with) we are doomed to suffer repeated failure in these attempts. This argument does not consider the possibility that God doesn't start out as a person outside of us (in the Church or the Bible for instant) and isn't already existing inside of us helping us to overcome these failings. But, we know ourselves from our personal experience and also the Bible teaches in the book of John and elsewhere that, when we call upon Him for help (through Jesus Christ), that God does exist as a Holy Spirit in us. For too long the traditional way to follow Jesus has been to try and collect a larger group of worshippers than others and help convince ourselves that we don't need to go to the trouble of learning more about what others believe. As individuals we definitely do need groups and higher powers in order to solve problems that are difficult. The tragedy, is that in the past this has lead to many religious wars and untold suffering. For our human nature tends to try convince ourselves that the particular people outside of these groups are different, or "unsaved". It is taught that they need to be looked down on and need to be separated out from us. But, Jesus Christ himself did not do this, for he taught that we should look up on others this way. But He taught us we need to understand how others are ourselves. We need to do this so we can love them as ourselves. And, the United States of America was founded by our forefathers with a constitution of rules of civil government and society in order to create a more perfect union of all of us in order that these tragedies of egotistical religious and societal Church self-promotion might happen less often.I have posted this review at our website I would love to discuss it further there.

Depth of his writing is excellent.

Great read. Plenty to apply to life whoever you are. Simple teachings that will make a huge impact on your life.

I found this book very thought provoking and appreciated the non bias comparison between the authors interpretation of the living buddha and the living Christ.

I have read several of Thich books and this is my favorite. Really points out the commonality between Buddhism and Christianity. I used feel you couldn't be followers of both - but their basic message is the same.

This is an amazing book that I have read time and time again in hardback, and I'm sure I will read it many more times in it's digital format. As a lifelong, Midwest Methodist, it took me a long time to see the values of the Buddhist lifestyle. This book truly changed my life and is a beautiful melding of Christianity and Buddhism. When life becomes too stressful and overwhelming this is the first book I turn to to regain my inner peace. Highly recommended to those of any religion, for it is very eye opening to the things we all share in common and how all can be blended together to help us find peace within ourselves, leading to peace with others. Thich Naht Hahn's words often flow like poetry but his wisdom and grace give us all goals to reach for. I'm sure, as much as a voracious reader as I am, that I have never claimed another book changed my view of life and the world, but this one certainly has, and I find I take new things away from it with each re-read.

Gave this as a gift to my priest. He was very happy to receive it. I have had the book for years. I love it.

Comprendí "misterios de fe" que tienen explicación sencilla y muy realista.

This book describes how (re) discovering and then practising one’s tradition leads to an understanding of another person’s religious and spiritual traditions. Such growth results in peace, love and joy. Thich Nhat Hanh explains clearly how the Ultimate Dimension / the Kingdom of Heaven is here and now for those who wish to ‘touch it’. I have read no other book like this one. In its simplicity, it is profound.

Thich Nhat Hanh, or 'Thay' to those who follow and know him, has a very precise way with words. Each word is considered, and it shows in his writing. This analysis of the contrasting, yet complementary approaches to life enjoyed by both Buddhists and Christians is insightful, and could be regarded as a cornerstone for a new understanding between the world's religious and philosophical systems. Thoroughly recommended reading for anyone seeking their path; you may be surprised at what this book brings to your personal surface, whether you approach it from Buddhism, or Christianity.

a must read. eye opener and it will give the reader excellent understanding about both Budhism and Christianity. The book shows the light to understand one's own faith and culture. It should be read in order to understand self and non-self.

This is simply one of the most important books of our time. The insights are so cogently presented that the "aha's" follow one after the other as we read and appreciate it's gentle wisdom. While so many writers set out to CONVINCE us that this or that is the TRUTH, Thich Nhat Hahn shows us the beautiful panorama found in the open mind or consciousness. He does not preach and he does not scold. He invites us to share the beauty and spiritual guidance of our ancestral roots, to celebrate the HARMONY of our spiritual guides rather than to close ourselves off in intellectual prisons of our own making.