Christ Way, Buddha Way: Jesus as Wisdom Teacher and a Zen Perspective on His Teachings

by Tim Langdell

“In this brave and beautifully written book, Tim Langdell reveals the profound connections between the vision and practice of the Buddha and Jesus. Buddhists and Christians will be immeasurably helped by this work and so will seekers on all paths who value teachings that stress non-dual union with the real. This is both an impressive contribution and a moving personal testimony to a rigorous spiritual path and I salute and recommend it unhesitatingly.” —ANDREW HARVEY, author of “Son of The Mystical Path to Christ” and “Journey in Ladakh” “Written in the spirit of Thomas Merton’s Mystics and Zen Masters and Zen and the Birds of Appetite, this book brings out into the open the rich affinities between Buddhism and Contemplative Christianity.” —JAMES FINLEY, author of “Merton's Palace of Nowhere” and “Jesus and paths to awakening” (Audio recording with Richard Rohr) “Christ Way, Buddha Way gives us a Buddhist reading of Christianity and a Christian reading of Zen Buddhism. He shares his journey of encounter and synthesis and outlines a path between that we can all walk. I recommend it.” —JAMES ISHMAEL FORD, author of “Introduction to Zen Learning the Language of Dragons” RE-VIEWING Christ’s teachings and the gospels again as if for the first time, Jesus emerges as a profound wisdom teacher, whose teachings had a lot in common with those of Buddha. This book explores Christ’s teachings on non-duality and his guidance on how to reach unity, oneness with God, through what he called metanoia--going beyond (meta) thought (noia)--through kenosis (self-emptying). What emerges is a strong connection between Christ’s teachings and Buddhism that reveals Jesus was clearly familiar with Buddhist teachings. By viewing Christ’s teachings through the lens of Zen, common themes emerge that enable the author to recreate what Christ called “The Way.” What emerges is a whole new view of Christianity for the 21st Christ as wisdom teacher, Christ as a teacher of non-dual awareness, and as a guide to living fully in the present moment.

221 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 21, 2020

Reviews

[Phil · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed 'Christ Way, Buddha Way' a great deal. Tim Langdell builds a sturdy bridge between East and West, the Christ and the Buddha, of which so many are unaware. Much of Christ has been lost in the fog of centuries. The man and what he taught has been largely defined by Paul in constructing a celestial Jesus (pre/post Easter, in this work). I like, very much, the deep drill down into the Gospel of Thomas. If there is an authentic Jesus to be found, it is there IMO. Well done too is the contrast in the many parables told by Jesus and their earlier origins. I put a bit more radical spin on some of the scriptural interpretation found here (the parable of the talents. 'render unto Caesar' for example). But, Tim makes his case well.

East and West, Jesus and the Buddha. We are indeed one. This is a very readable and enjoyable work that drives the point home.

If you are interested in further reading: I found this remarkably similar to Paul Knitter's 'Without Buddha I Could Not Be Christian' (a more personal journey); Bart Ehrman's 'How Jesus Became God' for the emergence of the post-Easter Jesus; and finally Tabor's 'Paul and Jesus: How the Apostle Transformed Christianity'.

[Tom · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a wonderful offering of insights into the common teachings of Jesus the Christ and Gautama the Buddha. Tim Langdell has done his research and presented valid perspectives which he acknowledges won’t alien with most traditional Christian accounts of Jesus. What Langdell does is offer possibilities of how Jesus may have been influenced by Buddhist teachings and more importantly, what Jesus likely meant by the stories he told and the Way he lived. Many Christians who are satisfied with simply believing what their churches have preached will not likely be enticed by Langdell’s book.
Those of us who have needed to look more deeply, and especially those who have expanded that search into Buddhism and other perspectives will find much to ponder. Especially interesting is his examination of the way Jesus taught with parables and how these same stories appear in Buddhist texts.
My one criticism, and it’s more of a pet peeve with so many books, is that it is overly long and repetitious. Calls for a tougher editor, IMO.
That said, this will stay with me and has enriched my experience of Christ, Buddha and other wisdom teachers. The most important question Jesus asked his followers was and still is, “Who do you say I am?”
Little interest in looking into this question means little awakening.
Great doubt as to already having the answer; curiosity and openness may lead to great awakening.
Thanks for the gate, Tim.

[Dri · Rating 5 out of 5]

CWBW great beginner steps

I have grown up in the Christian churches in several different denominations. But even since I was a child, something did not sit right with me about the Holy Bible and the church. I always thought there was something similar between Buddha and Christ how their teachings were so similar yet in different eras and in different demographics. This book has opened my eyes a little bit more to see a little bit more clearer of what my inner child was wanting to see instead of adults blinding me with generations of Bible teachings. I've always known and felt there was a more higher being than all of us, but I always felt strange that there was a human /spirit that died for us instead of lived for us. This book is guiding me on a new journey and I will continue to seek out more books like this. Something is happening to my world and I am excited to see where this journey takes me.