What Christians Can Learn From Buddhism: Rethinking Salvation

by Kristin Johnston Largen

It is a truism in the study of religion that to understand one's owntradition truly one must inhabit another's deeply. Kristin JohnstonLargen in this exciting volume takes the reader on such a pilgrimageinto Buddhism, to ultimately address what we as Christians might meanby salvation. In the last generation, lay Christians have already trodinto Buddhism to see the tradition for themselves. So this exercise incomparative theology employs interreligious dialogue as an integraland imperative part of Christian theology today. It first exploresthe model of comparative theology and the meanings of salvation, orsoteriology, in Christian tradition. It then reviews the chiefoutlines of the Buddhist worldview and explores the concept ofsalvation in Buddhism - nirvana, achieved through emptiness - and how itinforms a host of Buddhist practices. Only then does Largen return tothe Christian tradition to show not only what Buddhists can teach usabout themselves but also about ourselves. Critically corrected bythis larger religious context, Largen demonstrates, Christiansoteriology can be enriched and enlivened.

176 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

Reviews

[Keith Lane · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fairly good and I like the openness to learning from another tradition ( while staying true to one's own faith), but the comparisons end up being a bit thin. Much of what the author says Christians can learn are things they could learn from a variety of sources, not just Buddhism. I'm not unhappy I read the book, but it's not one I would jump to recommend to a fellow Christian who wants to learn something from Buddhism.