The Gospel According to Zen: Beyond the Death of God

by Robert Sohl (Editor), Audrey Carr (Editor)

book

Genres: Buddhism, Philosophy, Zen, Spirituality, Nonfiction, Religion

133 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published April 1, 1970

Reviews

[George · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book that should be a relief to those who were raised in western theology who have always had an otherwise secret appreciation for the words of Grasshopper and Butterfly in Kung Fu, the TV series. The point being that this book doe a marvelous job of illustrating that Jesus and Buddha tend not to contradict each other and would get along just fine.

I lost my copy of this - one of my favorite books - many years ago. I am glad to see it here, will repurchase, and won't let it disappear ever again.

[maia · Rating 3 out of 5]

title is misleading as it is more just a description of Zen and then a bunch of jesus quotations but with little analysis of the crossover. interesting nonetheless

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found a well-used copy of this small treasure at one of the public libraries we routinely visit during our travels. I never knew much about Zen, except "to zen out" and that Zen was related somehow to Buddhism in general. Published in 1971 and containing short essays by several well-known spiritual leaders (D.T Suzuki, Erich Fromm, Alan Watts, J. Krishnamurti and others), this little book takes its place beside my favorite translation of The Tao as something I will seek to re-read and contemplate on a regular basis. Because reading it brings me a feeling of well-being, calm and peace.

"When walking, just walk,
When sitting, just sit,
Above all; don't wobble."

"The old pine-tree speaks divine wisdom;
The secret bird manifests eternal truth."

[Noah Petrillo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Honestly, this book changed my life. I could go on and on about the eye-opening philosophies, the genius of the writers, the elegance of the illustrations... but, like the attainment of enlightenment, it goes beyond the realm of words or thoughts, it must be experienced first hand, in a kind of surrender. It’s definitely a book to keep a journal for, and a book to read over and over. Alan Watts is one of my favorite human beings of all time, and his contributions are absolutely mind-blowing. The way it negates and upholds religion as an institution is paradoxically unified and beautiful. Zen philosophy transcends religion, and the practice of philosophy itself.

[Jordan Belville · Rating 1 out of 5]

I had high hopes. I fail to see any cohesive thought in this text. What is zen? What is the gospel? One is addressed, and the other isn’t. I often found myself putting the book down because after rereading a chapter I just couldn’t understand what they are trying to share with us. At least the book was $5. Alan Watts seems almost cultish in his writing. Would not recommend. Unfortunately a big waste of time.

[Mariana Luna · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good opportunity to think about my own spirituality again. It’s easy to get caught up in work or study, so taking the time to reflect and feel connected with myself and God was quite refreshing.

[Gene · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was a bit frustrating. I went into it with an open mind, ready to actually learn something from Eastern religion. I think I actually had more respect for Zen going in than I do having read the book. It assumes a great deal without any rational support. "God is dead; get over it," it seems to say. Creeds are bad, doctrines are bad, God can't be personal, etc. Nothing to back any of this up, just conjecture and an air of superiority that says, "Modern man is way past all that orthodox Christian silliness." It assumes that the Christian life is one of non-reflection and inner deadness. It is as if these Buddhists had no information of the rich spiritual life that is truly evident from the deep spirituality of Bible-belt and Black Gospel churches' believers (especially the elderly ones) all the way to the noteworthy Catholic mystics like St. John of the Cross. I was offended that they assumed that my faith has nothing on offer to enrich the soul and enlighten the mind. The authors acted as though Liberal Theology had already proven all that to be false and cleared the table for something more valid. What it left was a weakened Christianity that a Zen Buddhist would be right to belittle.

So what was on offer. Once the book assumed God is dead, it saw the need for some source of meaning, some god worth following, so it chose The Self. Over and over again the goodness of the self is promoted. Getting to know oneself, being true to oneself, and ultimately worshiping oneself became the solution. But what if the Self needs saving? Assuming it isn't so doesn't make it so. I look at history and agree with G.K. Chesterton that the most obvious doctrine of all is Original Sin. And we can't deal with on our own; some Person who was untainted by that has to do that for us.

And how maddening to see the quotes of Jesus saying things that aren't in Scripture, and then mentioning something on the next page that He DID say and not crediting Him.

Of course the reader gets plenty of Eastern "one hand clapping" riddles and the like that look sophisticated and deep, but often just are clever without really answering anything. Attachment to such wise paradoxes seems profound, but sometimes I think the embrace of such things is a little like the scholarly treatise that was a hoax and won wide praise in academia until the authors revealed that they made it all up and just made it sound deeply intellectual.

There were nuggets of truth worth harvesting along the way. Emphasis on detachment from a consumer culture and materialism was there. I also liked the reminder that the only true way to solve the world's problems is to address the problems we as individuals have with those nearest to us and let the effects of that ripple outward to all of society. There was also a healthy call to evaluate our lives to see that we are really living them and not just passing the time. These things are worth the attention of modern-day Christians (myself included) who are prone to overlook them.

If you are looking to see some synthesis between authentic Christianity and Eastern religion, this book will not accomplish it unless your hold on the former is already a very loose grip. And if you already assume God is dead, there is no point using this book as a starting point.
For such a short book it took a very long time to get through because there was little joy in reading it. Glad to have it behind me.

[Tim · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was one of the first books on Buddhism that I read, back in high school days, and I reread it again as an adult. This time I thought it was all right, but not really enlightening. It is a collection of short pieces from a variety of authors, including Watts, Suzuki, Krishnamurti, and Erich Fromm. There are also a number of haikus and and brief zen anecdotes whose authors are not credited. It was interesting to read and think about Zen again, altho I still get hung up on what I perceive as its shortcomings: its vagueness, its refusal to define itself. Still, this is also a large part of its beauty and purity; Zen points away from theological debate and toward the inner experience of spiritual truth.

[Mike James · Rating 4 out of 5]

We in the West have been brought up to believe in "God, the Father". This image of a stern old man, a being separate from ourselves, permeates our religious thought. Zen helps to blow away the barrier between "me" and "god" - eliminating that duality and replacing it with the unity of Me-God. OK, there aren't any words to describe the true experience of reality and made up words sound corny. Read the book, experience it yourself, awaken.

[Jonn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solid little collection of essays on existentialism and the similarities between Zen, Taoism, and Christianity, with work by Erich Fromm, Alan Watts, and D.T. Suzuki. A recommended short read if you can find it (got it for $2 at a used book store).

[Earl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice little gem-of-a-book (1970) which I've bought and given as gifts 10+ times. Zen and Jesus side by side, a harmony of wisdom, an easy digestible read that such a book ought to be. :)

[Lysergius · Rating 3 out of 5]

Most western philosophy is trying to come to terms with the death of God. Zen never had to because it has no God. This book is a bit of a lame attempt to find a God in Zen.

[Dave Haskins]

Religion

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book does an amazing analysis of Jesus and christianity through the eyes of Zen Buddhism, using poetry and story to bring the Christian out of western thought and into eastern thought on the person of Jesus. Incredible book.