A Christian Walks in the Footsteps of the Buddha

by John R. Mabry

From December 2013 through March 2014 Christian pastor John Mabry went on a most amazing pilgrimage—to visit the most significant sites of the Buddha's life and to reflect deeply on what he saw, in conversation with his own faith. From there, his journey took him to Nepal, Thailand, Taiwan, and back to India as he followed the distribution and development of Buddhism around the world. Part travelogue, part history lesson, part comparative theological reflection, this record of that adventure captures both the frailty and profundity of the human religious quest.

Genres: Travel, Buddhism, Theology, Religion

348 pages, Paperback

First published March 15, 2014

About the author

I've been writing ever since the third grade, when I produced my first short story. I am a United Church of Christ pastor, and teach world religions and spiritual direction at the Chaplaincy Institute (an interfaith seminary in Berkeley, CA). I also sing for two progressive rock bands, Mind Furniture and Metaphor. My wife Lisa Fullam and I live in Oakland with our two lovely dogs Judy and Sally. I don't write heavy, academic books. I write books for regular folk like you and me who want to explore their spirituality and get closer to God. In my fiction, I want to show people of faith as they actually are—screwed up, insecure, and often bumbling—but still usually trying to do the right thing.

Reviews

[Dixie Conley · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this book in exchange for a review.

I really like this writer as a person. I'd gladly go to his church (which is a remarkable statement for me, as I've grown rather fed-up with most organized religion). There's things I'd want to discuss with him, issues that he brought up that have gray area left, but in the whole, I can see where he's coming from and I appreciate it. I marked three separate places in his book for future review and contemplation.

He also has a real gift for putting religious ideas into simple, easily grasped terms and images.

That being said, I think this book would have been better if it had been further devoted to either the religious issues or the travelogue. As it is, it left me wanting more detail in both areas. Some of the travelogue really made me think -- but most of it left me asking for more specifics, "And what did the flies do? What color were the colorful flags?" And while the religious issues were also dealt with, it could have gone so much further than it did.

In short, the book achieves all its aims well, but none excellently.

[Eden · Rating 4 out of 5]

2024 bk 142. I did enjoy Mabry's account of his visiting the important locations in the life of Buddha and in the places important to the Buddhist religion. What I learned about Buddhism back in the 1970's in a World Religion class was enhanced by his visit to the places - and I especially appreciated the mental timeline comparing Jesus life on this earth along with the Buddhas. The forays into Thailand, Taiwan, Nepal, and to the Dai Lama's home added to the insights as to how Buddhism developed its major arms - particularly since I recently completed a class the discussed the development of Christianity's different arms. Throughout this book, I felt the author wanted to make connections with the people of faith - and he was disappointed that he could not do so with Buddhist. I think in some ways the more important ones were his encounters with the various Christians along the way One comment stood out - "Jesus had only 33 years on this planet to complete his purpose, Buddha had 50 ish years. How much more we could have learned if Jesus had lived longer." This phrase brought a poignancy to the the story - and to my life.

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a Buddhist, I got this book in hopes of having a positive interfaith discussion with a family member who is Christian. The book was very helpful in that regard, although John Mabry’s unorthodox interpretations of Christianity may be off-putting to those who have a pretty strict interpretation of Christianity.

As he visits each site of the Buddha’s life, he explains the event and draws comparisons with Christ’s life. The author does a pretty fair and balanced job of portraying both Christianity and Buddhism, explaining and appreciating both their similarities and differences. However, at times I did have to clarify things about Buddhism to ensure a non-Buddhist won’t misunderstand the particular Buddhist teaching.

Although is he able to at times, I do wish he spent more time talking to local Buddhists in each place to get their perspectives about Buddhism. Maybe he could not do it more because of the language barriers.

Overall, this book provided a worthwhile and helpful way to have an interfaith dialogue.

[Kenneth McIntosh · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a thoroughly engaging book. It's an unvarnished travelogue, which I appreciate. Mabry says that his priority in writing was honesty, and it shows. He gives the good, the bad, and the ugly about people, places, and his own struggles on this epic journey. Mabry is professionally a pastor and teacher, and his background offers fruitful reflections about God and the nature of things, but he is also an observant and witty commentator. It's a winning combination.

He emphasizes that he is not trying to create a hybrid-of-all-religions (like the Bahai faith) nor is he diminishing his own Christian faith; his pilgrimage on the trail of the Buddha was a means to understand his own faith from different angles. I resonate with this approach.

After reading this book, I know more about India, Thailand, and Taiwan, and about the varying forms of Buddhism, and I have a few new questions to ask about my own life and my relationship with God.

[Julie Reed · Rating 4 out of 5]

First of all, I would like to say "thank you" for sending me this book! I received this book for a goodreads/firstreads review and I intend on doing so now that I have just finished it. It's such a nice book-- heavy, pretty, quality, well put together-- not one of those cheapo copies! If anyone would like me to mail them my copy, please let me know! (Is that allowed?)

I gave the book 4 stars because Mabry is a great writer even though I may not agree with everything he says, his theological views, or his religious postition (or, non-position) in life. The book is about his 3 month journey through the far East to explore and compare Buddhism with Christianity. Warning: He's not your typical pastor! For one thing, he cusses and at times seems a bit hot-headed! :) For another thing, he isn't on a missions trip to convert lost souls. (I'm a liberal-ish Southern Baptist who goes to a conservative Southern Baptist church btw). I consider myself to be pretty open-minded because I majored in philosophy and the Humanities, and after that, well it's hard to be completely closed-minded about religious subjects. I also have a truly skeptical nature because I question everything. I'm one of the more difficult sheep in the herd. At the same time, I'm getting older and more conservative, and returning to some of my conservative Christian roots, so if you are like me, you might find yourself in disagreement with some of this book. For example, the author keeps bringing up the Gnostic gospels, but those have been largely rejected by most theologians. Other than that, I've read too many Christian apologetics books the last 15 years to question my faith anymore, so I'm steadily getting more grounded in Jesus Christ the more I read C.S. Lewis, Ravi Zachrias, Timothy Keller, William Lane Craig and the like.

That being said, I can appreciate the author's musings on religion. I am not completely sure, but I take it that John Mabry is a Universalist. In other words, he believes that all paths lead to God. I so hope and pray that everyone finds their way to God. Like the author, I understand and have compassion for people who try. I have personally decided that Jesus is THE way because I have chosen to believe what he said in the Bible (coupled with strong works of apologetics!).."I'm THE way, THE truth, THE Life, and no man comes to the father but through me.." But, I still hope that somehow God reconciles all his children so they all will be with him eternally. I have concluded that C.S. Lewis put it the best way-- "Christianity is the true myth." Everything pales in comparison.

Sorry, I'm talking too much about my views, but I guess this book can incite that in a person. I connected with Mabry when he was talking about his current position in Christianity. He said he was so liberal at one time that he didn't really stand on anything, and he's been really conservative and dogmatic at times in his life as well. Both extremes are not good. Moderation is the key. Now, he is somewhere in the middle. I feel that I am too, although I think I am more conservative than he.

For one who is interested in the far East religions, or traveling in the far East, this would be the book for you! I personally lived for the moments when Mabry would discuss his genuine love and faith for Jesus-- those were the sweetest moments of the book for me and ones with which I really connected.

I think if there is anything a conservative Christian could learn from this, it is to not be afraid or to demonize the "Other" religions. They may be wrong. They may be misguided. But, they are on the same spiritual quest which seems to be written in the hearts of humanity. I personally wish everyone could meet and know Jesus, but I'm not God and I don't know his plan, so I'll just keep doing what I'm doing the best I can....just like John Mabry.

Now, John Mabry-- message for you-- I would love it if you did another travelogue across Europe visiting various historic Christian sites and sacred places. Now, I could really get into that!

Thanks again for this book and if I can pass it on, just message me your address so I can mail it, if that is allowed!

[Alice · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won a copy of this book on Goodreads Giveaways - thanks!

This is not my grandmother's Christianity! He is from the United Church of Christ, which is known for being (as he puts it in reference to Mahayana Buddhists) "open to new ideas, and letting their theology grow and evolve". This point is important to understand when reading this book, because the author is looking at Buddhism as a way to connect not only with Buddhists, but also with Christianity. He respects *faith* in all its forms, espousing a philosophy that embrases all religions as different ways of seeing and understanding the same, basic, underlying truths. He writes: "It struck me that if the Divine Mystery were a computer, Jesus and the Buddha would be user interfaces." To do that it's necessary to be completely non-dogmatic. But, if you're non-dogmatic - then what's left that really makes one a Christian? The author walks this tightrope throughout the book, talking about his love for Jesus/God, but also relating to Buddha/Dharma which on the surface look to be doctrinally opposed to each other.

But, don't let me leave you with the impression that's it's a heavy, plodding examination of the finer points of religious life - it's actually quite light reading - with funny travel misadventures getting equal time with interesting religious/philosophical musings. Which gets to my two complaints with the narrative - the author hates India (I just can't relate to this - yes, it's dirty, crazy, crowded, etc - that's why it's great!!!), and there are several times where the author talks about seeing a group of "Asians" in India - I assume he meant east asians??? He didn't seem to realize Indians are Asians????

Finally, the author manages to capture his generation's dissatisfaction with the religions of their childhoods, while making the case that one need not jump to an entirely different religion (as many California baby-boomers are looking to Buddhism), one can find all the ingredients within your native religion (in his case, Christianity). I think this is his main reason for writing the book. The key quote being, "what those who have fled Christianity for Eastern faiths have found - mysticism, meditation, and transformative teachings - were all present in the tradition of their birth. It's tragic that these people did not have skillful teachers to present it to them in a way that was attractive rather than repellant." He respects other religions, but believes very strongly that people born into Christian families/societies should remain Christians.

[Nathan Schmidt · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this book through Goodreads First Reads, and am grateful for the opportunity.

As a Christian who has taken in interest in Eastern concepts, I was very interested in Mabry's story. I have dabbled in other religions such as Shinto and Buddhism, but at the core I remain Catholic at heart. As a result, I have come to have difficulty coming to terms with my faith. Therefore, I was intrigued with Mabry's journey.

Mabry's adventure, as often is in real life, is hardly smooth or straightforward. However, by the end of the book I gained an understanding of what he learned through his mixed experiences in India, Thailand, and China. By using the real-life events he experienced, he gave a new perspective to religious thought that I hadn't been able to see before. I left the book with a profound understanding of the visions behind Buddhism. More than that, I saw hope in the love, compassion, and determination of Jesus, which paralleled yet stood proudly independent of Buddha's own journey. I admire Mabry's great faith in God, and hope that one day I can too learn to fully trust in God.

I really didn't have any major issues with the book other than the loose organization of his theological points at times. I was slightly miffed that, despite presenting a deep understanding of both Buddhism and Christianity, he never actually offered a concrete bridge to reconcile the two religious doctrines. As a result, my own struggle for faith is not over. Still, he brought up important points about both religions in his book, and I feel that his words will help me find my way to God and enlightenment.

[Jim · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was pleased to have won a copy from Goodreads Giveaways.

Some books you keep to read again. Some you donate to a used book sale. The best books are those that you simply must share with a friend. By the time I'd read the first twenty pages of this one I knew that Donna would get it next (and she will pass it along to just the right person).

Like Dr. Mabry, Donna and I have both been solo travelers; So the travelogue aspect appealed to me first. To be alone and clueless as to where to eat or sleep, speak the language or how to use currency and public transportation are the obstacles you have to surmount before the sightseeing can begin. Mabry certainly found his share of challenges and describes them ever so well.

I did choose the book for the comparison of religious beliefs and enjoyed it immensely for that as well. I'm certainly a member of the class Mabry describes as being disillusioned with the Christian church that we grew up with and have grown curious about the various Asian practices as an alternative. This book teaches so much about the history of Buddhism, but never gets boring because the travel stories provide an interesting diversion. I look forward to reading more of John Mabry's books in the near future.

[Sage & Sky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mabry's book A Christian Walks in the Footsteps of the Buddha is more of an unfolding exploration than reading a story. Like many of the other reviews I've read, my initial take on this book was that it was more a travelogue than a narrative of religious self-discovery. I found this a little annoying because the book like travel wasn’t living up to my preconceived expectations. I put the book down for a few weeks and returned to it with fresh eyes. Once I’d let go of what I thought the story should be, I was able to enjoy it for what it was – a journey. Mabry describes a similar realization after visiting a Taoist Matsu temple in Taiwan. While visiting he points out there is a patriarchal nature to needing to explain and analyze every aspect of various belief systems. Don’t get me wrong, analysis is a good starting point, but it’s only the beginning of the exploration. I learned quite a bit about the philosophical differences and commonalities of Buddhism through the places Mabry visits.

Bottom line: if you can “ruminate on the revelations” this book offers it can be an “invitation to let go of explanations and simply enter into the experience” Mabry shares within its pages.

[Plaguedoctor · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this book in the goodreads giveaway.


Even though I'm not a Christian I thought this book would be interesting to read and it was for the most part. It was interesting to read about the cultural differences and the state of being that other countries are in. However, I couldn't help but feel like it left out quite a bit of the religious aspect which is supposed to be the main focus. It all comes together in the end but there were just some parts were I think it should have been mentioned. All in all it was an interesting read and I recommend it to Christians, Buddhists or anyone one who wants a different view point or perspective.

[Justin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this as a first reads giveaway.
The book was alright just not what I thought it would be. I was hoping for more spiritual context but it was more travelogue than anything else. I would have preferred more discussion on comparing Christianity and Buddhism. As travel writing it was good with most of my dislike coming from the fact that I would not want to travel with the writer.

[April Bitler]

Great book, very insightful and emotional...definitely worth the read.

[Steve Pifer]

did not finish