The Buddha and the Christ : Explorations in Buddhist and Christian Dialogue / Leo D. Lefebure

Book Title: The Buddha and the Christ

• Author: Leo D. Lefebure

• Language: English

• Pages: 240

• Cover: Hardcover

• Dimensions: 23 cm x 15 cm

• Weight: 448 gm

• Edition: 1996

• ISBN: 9788170304890

Book Description

Introduction:

• Both Buddhism and Christianity have evolved as missionary religions, influencing entire cultures while transforming themselves in the process.

• The narratives of the lives of Shakyamuni Buddha and Jesus Christ serve as foundational texts for their respective traditions, offering models for thought and action.

• While Buddhism emphasizes awakening to wisdom and practicing compassion, Christianity emphasizes the presence of God through Jesus Christ, embodying the deepest meaning of human existence.

Key Themes of the Book:

• The book delves into the comparison between the lives of Shakyamuni Buddha and Jesus Christ, focusing on their significance in their respective religious traditions.

• Part I:

  • Chapter 1 explores the Buddha-carita of Ashvaghosha, a central Buddhist text on the life of Shakyamuni Buddha.

  • Chapter 2 examines the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, comparing these events with the life and teachings of Shakyamuni Buddha.

• The focus is on how each tradition remembered its leader, rather than attempting to reconstruct the historical figures of Buddha or Christ.

Exploration of Traditions:

• Most Buddhist accounts focus on Buddha's early life, search for wisdom, awakening, and initial preaching.

• Christian Gospels, however, focus on public life, preaching, death, and resurrection with little mention of a search for wisdom or awakening.

• The book also examines the Mahayana Buddhist traditions like Zen and Pure Land as well as early Christian figures like Dionysius the Areopagite and St. Augustine.

Modern Figures:

• The book also highlights the contributions of modern figures, including Thich Nhat Hanh, a Vietnamese Buddhist monk, and Gustavo Gutierrez, a Peruvian priest, to interfaith dialogue.

Praise for the Book:

• "The Buddha and the Christ is a unique achievement... Lefebure’s discussion is insightful, provocative, and challenging to the dominant pattern of Buddhist-Christian dialogue."
  — Masao Abe, Purdue University

• "A refreshing book... It should set a new direction in inter-religious dialogue."
  — Julia Ching, University of Toronto

• "A book that dares an interfaith dialogue out of the strengths of each tradition... Lefebure’s style makes this a book for both scholars and pastors."
  — Rev. John Shea, Mundelein Seminary

About the Author:

• Leo D. Lefebure is a priest of the Archdiocese of Chicago and an Associate Professor of Theology at St. Mary of the Lake University and Seminary.

• He is also the author of Life Transformed: Meditations on the Christian Scriptures in the Light of Buddhist Perspectives.

This book offers readers a comprehensive exploration of the shared values, differences, and dialogues between Buddhism and Christianity, providing valuable insights into the lives of two of history's most influential figures, Shakyamuni Buddha and Jesus Christ.