Living Zen, Loving God
Ruben Habito -- a practicing Catholic and former Jesuit priest, as well as an acknowledged Zen master and a professor in the Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University -- makes a clear case that Zen practice can deepen a Christian's experience of God, further clarify the Gospel teachings of Jesus, and enable one to live a more joyful, compassionate, and socially engaged life.
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This wonderful book, in its friendly, informative tone, carefully explains Buddhist ideas — from key concepts like Emptiness and The Truth of Suffering to an in-depth and enlightening examination of the Heart Sutra — all in terms that will help modern Christian practitioners to deepen their faith, and Buddhists to revitalize and broaden their perception and understanding. Living Zen, Loving God holds immense value to anyone interested in interreligious dialogue and studies. Publishers Weekly Perhaps one of the most radically healing acts available to humanity today is to bridge the distance between the world's major religions helping devotees discover their common spiritual ground instead of fuel for their political conflicts. Habito may not see himself as a revolutionary, but his humble life calling to illuminate the commonalities between Zen Buddhism and Christianity seems a profound gift. As a native of the Philippines, he began his spiritual training as a contemplative Jesuit priest in Japan. Later he became a pupil of Buddhism under renowned teacher Koun Yamada Roshi. This offering is specifically aimed at the Christian community, helping readers expand their experience of Christ through the teachings of Buddha. For instance, he compares the Zen teachings of dying to ego-attachments in order to reach enlightenment as being similar to the Christian experience of "dying to one's old self" and being reborn into an entirely new life of Christ. Habito excels in illuminating the connective spiritual tissue between the two religions, while also explaining the principles of Buddhism. When speaking to suffering, he notes that both religions ask followers to embrace the realities of suffering in order to offer wisdom and relief. This is an excellent book for readers who want to deepen their understanding of Christianity as well as Buddhism. It includes an Appendix, excerpting conversations with his teachers Koun Yamada Roshi and Father Hugo Enomiya-Lassalle, S.J. as well as suggestions for further reading. (Mar.) Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.
ForewordIXForeword to the First EditionXVPrefaceXVIIAcknowledgmentsXIXIntroductionXXIII1.Seeing into One's Nature: A Christian's Experience of Zen12.Emptiness and Fullness113.The Heart Sutra on Liberating Wisdom271.The Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara292.Perception of Emptiness323.Negation of Concepts, Invitation to Direct Experience354.The Truth of Suffering385.No Wisdom, No Attainment416.The Heart Sutra As Mantra444.Every Day Is a Good Day455.The Song of Zazen51Part IPart IIPart III6.The Enlightened Samaritan: A Zen Reading of a Christian Parable717.The Four Vows of the Bodhisattva818.Kuan-Yin with a Thousand Hands939.Zen Experience of Triune Mystery10310.Zen and Christian Spirituality: Attuning to the Breath111AppendixConversations with Koun Yamada Roshi and Father Hugo Enomiya Lassalle115Recommended Readings127Index131About the Author137
\ Publishers WeeklyPerhaps one of the most radically healing acts available to humanity today is to bridge the distance between the world's major religions helping devotees discover their common spiritual ground instead of fuel for their political conflicts. Habito may not see himself as a revolutionary, but his humble life calling to illuminate the commonalities between Zen Buddhism and Christianity seems a profound gift. As a native of the Philippines, he began his spiritual training as a contemplative Jesuit priest in Japan. Later he became a pupil of Buddhism under renowned teacher Koun Yamada Roshi. This offering is specifically aimed at the Christian community, helping readers expand their experience of Christ through the teachings of Buddha. For instance, he compares the Zen teachings of dying to ego-attachments in order to reach enlightenment as being similar to the Christian experience of "dying to one's old self" and being reborn into an entirely new life of Christ. Habito excels in illuminating the connective spiritual tissue between the two religions, while also explaining the principles of Buddhism. When speaking to suffering, he notes that both religions ask followers to embrace the realities of suffering in order to offer wisdom and relief. This is an excellent book for readers who want to deepen their understanding of Christianity as well as Buddhism. It includes an Appendix, excerpting conversations with his teachers Koun Yamada Roshi and Father Hugo Enomiya-Lassalle, S.J. as well as suggestions for further reading. (Mar.) Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.\ \
