Living Buddha, Living Christ: 20th Anniversary Edition

I've always been fascinated by the world's great spiritual traditions. Not in a "which one is right?" kind of way, but more like admiring different beautiful languages – each with its unique grammar and vocabulary, but all capable of expressing deep human truths. Still, sometimes the perceived differences between faiths can feel like vast oceans. Could there really be a bridge?Thich Nhat Hanh's "Living Buddha, Living Christ" is that bridge, built with such grace, wisdom, and gentle understanding that walking across it feels less like a theological exercise and more like coming home to a shared, sacred space.This book isn't about merging Buddhism and Christianity into one new religion. Instead, it's a heartfelt, insightful exploration of the core teachings of Jesus and Buddha, revealing the profound common ground they share. Thich Nhat Hanh, with his deep roots in Buddhism and his open heart towards Christianity, is the perfect guide for this journey. He speaks of seeing images of both Buddha and Jesus on his altar, touching them as his spiritual ancestors, and this sentiment permeates every page.What I found most impactful was how he illuminates the living aspect of both traditions. It's not just about historical figures or ancient texts, but about how we embody the teachings of compassion, mindfulness, and love in our daily lives, right here, right now. He finds parallels in concepts like the Holy Spirit and mindfulness, unconditional love and metta (loving-kindness), showing that the essence of these paths is remarkably aligned.Reading this book felt deeply personal because it resonated with my own longing for unity and understanding in a world often divided by dogma. It gave me a renewed appreciation for the wisdom inherent in both traditions and reinforced the idea that the truest spirituality is lived, not just believed. It's a powerful reminder that the path to peace, both inner and outer, lies in recognizing our shared humanity and cultivating the universal qualities of love and compassion.If you have any curiosity about either Buddhism or Christianity, or if you simply yearn for a message of spiritual unity and practical wisdom for living a more compassionate life, "Living Buddha, Living Christ" is an absolute treasure. It's a book that doesn't just talk about peace and understanding; it embodies it, leaving you with a sense of hope and connection that transcends religious labels.

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!

Reading the book, took me on an epic journey with Thay. I was right there with him, seeing what he saw, hearing what he heard, feeling what he felt with his experiences, and the second time over when he was recollecting and putting his words through his pen on paper. If you want to know about Thay and meet him in person, read this book. If you want to know what happened to Vietnam and her children in the '60s, nothing gets more intimate than this book.

He did a great job at shedding light on both religions and intertwining their similarities. And nothing their differences without saying one is wrong or right.