Living Zen, Loving God
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.Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.