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Una conversión. Del budismo al catolicismo
Paul Williams, ha sido durante más de veinte años una autoridad mundial en el budismo Mahayana. En este sorprendente libro narra cómo después de casi media vida dedicado a la práctica, estudio y enseñanza del budismo tibetano, descubre la fe católica; incluso a su pesar. La historia de una inesperada peregrinación desde el budismo hasta el Catolicismo.
No se trata de la persecución de un anhelo que por fin llega a cumplirse, más bien en esta ocasión la fuerza de la Verdad tira por tierra todo un planteamiento de vida. Esta es la historia que Williams cuenta en su libro. Escrito con la claridad de un analítico y el peculiar sentido del humor británico, con rigor filosófico y la frescura de un relato en primera persona, reconstruye todo su discurso interno y explora las razones que le han llevado a la Iglesia Católica.
Un texto que sorprende y atrae a un mismo tiempo. El mismo lo aclara en un principio, no pretende adoctrinar sino que ha escrito la crónica de su reflexión sobre la fe, de sus idas y venidas desde la seguridad de lo asentado al abismo de una nueva realidad. Con toda sinceridad reconoce como le atrajo el budismo conocido desde Occidente y como se fue haciendo a él, sin siquiera juzgarlo, sin razonar. Sin embargo su retorno a Cristo ha sido un camino duro tanto vital como filosóficamente. Un camino recorrido en el que fe y razón, una vez más, se han ayudado y complementado mutuamente en busca del sentido de la vida, a pesar de ciertos desgarros sufridos en el camino.
No hace falta ser budista para beneficiarse de los argumentos bien razonados que expone Williams. Cualquier persona que busca la verdad, que se interesa por cuestiones religiosas, o disfruta de la teología o la filosofía disfrutará. En un mundo global en el que convivimos con gente de diferentes religiones, espiritualidades, filosofías de vida, es muy enriquecedor ver contrastados los argumentos a favor y en contra del budismo/catolicismo por un gran conocedor de ambos.
La historia de esta conversión es un ejemplo y, sin duda, un desafío para los lectores que pondrán a prueba la solidez de sus creencias. Una obra de apologética moderna muy gratificante, en la que la profundidad de los argumentos se dulcifica con el cariño y la sorpresa ante la Verdad encontrada.
No se trata de la persecución de un anhelo que por fin llega a cumplirse, más bien en esta ocasión la fuerza de la Verdad tira por tierra todo un planteamiento de vida. Esta es la historia que Williams cuenta en su libro. Escrito con la claridad de un analítico y el peculiar sentido del humor británico, con rigor filosófico y la frescura de un relato en primera persona, reconstruye todo su discurso interno y explora las razones que le han llevado a la Iglesia Católica.
Un texto que sorprende y atrae a un mismo tiempo. El mismo lo aclara en un principio, no pretende adoctrinar sino que ha escrito la crónica de su reflexión sobre la fe, de sus idas y venidas desde la seguridad de lo asentado al abismo de una nueva realidad. Con toda sinceridad reconoce como le atrajo el budismo conocido desde Occidente y como se fue haciendo a él, sin siquiera juzgarlo, sin razonar. Sin embargo su retorno a Cristo ha sido un camino duro tanto vital como filosóficamente. Un camino recorrido en el que fe y razón, una vez más, se han ayudado y complementado mutuamente en busca del sentido de la vida, a pesar de ciertos desgarros sufridos en el camino.
No hace falta ser budista para beneficiarse de los argumentos bien razonados que expone Williams. Cualquier persona que busca la verdad, que se interesa por cuestiones religiosas, o disfruta de la teología o la filosofía disfrutará. En un mundo global en el que convivimos con gente de diferentes religiones, espiritualidades, filosofías de vida, es muy enriquecedor ver contrastados los argumentos a favor y en contra del budismo/catolicismo por un gran conocedor de ambos.
La historia de esta conversión es un ejemplo y, sin duda, un desafío para los lectores que pondrán a prueba la solidez de sus creencias. Una obra de apologética moderna muy gratificante, en la que la profundidad de los argumentos se dulcifica con el cariño y la sorpresa ante la Verdad encontrada.
344 pages, Paperback
First published July 1, 2002
6 people are currently reading
110 people want to read
About the author
Paul Williams
25 books7 followersPaul Williams is Professor of Indian and Tibetan Philosophy and Co-Director of the Centre for Buddhist Studies at the University of Bristol. He is a former President of the UK Association for Buddhist Studies. Among his other books for Routledge is Buddhist Thought: A Complete Introduction to the Indian Tradition (2000).
Williams was a Buddhist himself for many years but has since converted to Roman Catholicism, an experience he wrote about in his book The Unexpected Way, and in an article, "On converting from Buddhism to Catholicism – One convert's story." He is now a professed lay member of the Dominican Order.
Williams was a Buddhist himself for many years but has since converted to Roman Catholicism, an experience he wrote about in his book The Unexpected Way, and in an article, "On converting from Buddhism to Catholicism – One convert's story." He is now a professed lay member of the Dominican Order.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
August 7, 2022
This book was definitely interesting, though I think only section 1, “God, Buddhism and Morality,” and the first appendix, “On Rebirth,” would be worth revisitation. Ultimately, Willams’ draw from Buddhism into Christianity seemed to be based on two points . The first is that Buddhism punts on the cosmological question (why is there something rather than nothing?) while Christianity answers it. The second is that the Buddhist picture of the world and path to salvation is rather pessimistic and hopeless compared to the optimistic, hopeful perspective given by the Christian worldview.
Williams has a rather unique perspective as a western convert to and from Buddhism. After reading this book, I wonder how poignant similar concerns would seem to an ordinary Buddhist in Asia.
Williams has a rather unique perspective as a western convert to and from Buddhism. After reading this book, I wonder how poignant similar concerns would seem to an ordinary Buddhist in Asia.
October 25, 2025
To be honest, I only made it through the first half of the book and Appendix I. I was on board as he discussed the issues he found in Buddhism (though, keep in mind, he comes from the Tibetan tradition), but as he dove further and further into his justifications for the supremacy of the Catholic Church, I could go no further.
I found his discussions on “Grace” and why Christians do no believe animals can go to heaven (as they cannot live up to the attributes of God—like rationality and freedom of will—and what is required for “salvation”) cold and immoral. But perhaps that is the Catholic, even “Christian,” way. I don’t see why, in his logic, if a spouse can bring a sinning and unwilling spouse along into Heaven through love alone, a person couldn’t also bring a beloved pet, who is sinless (and, in fact, incapable of “sinning”). Furthermore, by his logic, there is a fat chance any human being with any significant mental discapacity or illness can be “saved.” To that I say, have fun living with that logic!
I found his discussions on “Grace” and why Christians do no believe animals can go to heaven (as they cannot live up to the attributes of God—like rationality and freedom of will—and what is required for “salvation”) cold and immoral. But perhaps that is the Catholic, even “Christian,” way. I don’t see why, in his logic, if a spouse can bring a sinning and unwilling spouse along into Heaven through love alone, a person couldn’t also bring a beloved pet, who is sinless (and, in fact, incapable of “sinning”). Furthermore, by his logic, there is a fat chance any human being with any significant mental discapacity or illness can be “saved.” To that I say, have fun living with that logic!
January 26, 2022
"The Unexpected Way..." is the author's account of his conversion to Roman Catholicism from his 20 years affiliation of teaching and practicing Buddhism. The author's departure from Buddhism was the fact that Buddhism lacked the path of faith and was seen as more of a practical and experiential path. The author also stated that Christianity afforded him more or a sense of home. Perhaps the author never escaped his Christian beliefs and roots. A recurrent theme running throughout the book is the author's rejection of all subjectivity, non-conceptual and private experience in lieu of the objective authority of Catholic Church teachings. The author, consequently, completely discounts the mysticism of early Christianity and non-dual philosophy. In my opinion, there can be little gained nor learned from the experiences of the author. All matters of faith are left to the individual. I would not recommend this book.
April 2, 2024
A very enjoyable book describing the author's conversion from Tibetan Buddhism to Catholicism.
Read it because I am convinced that you cannot be both a Catholic and a Buddhist, a position with which the author totally agrees. Helped me to better understand both Buddhism and Protestantism in contrast to the Catholic faith. Also learned much about the philosophies behind each of these religions/traditions and how they differ.
Overall a very useful read.
Read it because I am convinced that you cannot be both a Catholic and a Buddhist, a position with which the author totally agrees. Helped me to better understand both Buddhism and Protestantism in contrast to the Catholic faith. Also learned much about the philosophies behind each of these religions/traditions and how they differ.
Overall a very useful read.
November 3, 2020
Um livro muito interessante para quem é cristão e quer entender o budismo.
Um livro muito recomendável para quem é do ocidente -budista ou simpático - e quer entender o que é o cristianismo. Ajuda muito a perceber a diferença entre o que se pensa que é o catolicismo e o que é de fato o catolicismo. E também a entender a incompatibilidade entre as duas religiões
Um livro muito recomendável para quem é do ocidente -budista ou simpático - e quer entender o que é o cristianismo. Ajuda muito a perceber a diferença entre o que se pensa que é o catolicismo e o que é de fato o catolicismo. E também a entender a incompatibilidade entre as duas religiões
May 22, 2016
I enjoyed the author's account of moving from Buddhism to Catholicism. Especially since I could relate. I wholeheartedly practiced Buddhism for six years when God started to put people and situations in my life to question it and gently pull me towards Christianity. I have been an adult Christian for three years now. A lot of the author's ideas and questions and thoughts were what I had when I began to question. Buddhism seems hopeless, Christianity offers hope. The big issue for me when practicing Buddhism, so where is the Creator in all this? What is the purpose to life? The author skillfully presents his journey: his thoughts, his experiences, his feelings, and presents a solid case towards Christianity. The author brought up a good point in his book, Christianity, the whole package, is very rational and incredibly beautiful and deep. But most of Western society only know of Christianity from what they learned in Sunday school as a child, so they have a juvenile idea of Christianity. If you are on the fence, I suggest you read CS Lewis or Dallas Willard, for an adult, rational, and meaningful view of Christianity. Or this book would be a good start! Likewise, in the West, we don't have the entire view of Buddhism, only a popular cafeteria-style, where we have picked and chosen what they like or not like. I suggest you read the actual Buddhist sutras to get the "real" Buddhism. Or read some biographies of famous Buddhist teachers. I think you would be less likely to identify with it. In Unexpected Way I especially enjoyed the later part of the long first chapter on self-righteousness, why Baptism, and how much can one take of one's fellow human beings? I also enjoyed his take on pantheism, he explains the problems with it very well. All in all a worthwhile read!
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews