Jesus & Buddha: Practicing Across Traditions

What Christians can learn from Buddhism is the central subject of this technically straightforward documentary, which consists simply of interlaced personal testimonials from three notable figures. Two are Christians: Robert Kennedy, a Jesuit priest and longtime teacher at St. Peter's College in New Jersey who also teaches Zen meditation; and Paul Knitter, the Paul Tillich Professor of Theology, World Religions, and Culture at Union Theological Seminary in New York. Both talk about the deepening of their own faith that they were able to achieve through the Buddhist meditative practice that encourages one to “die” to self in order to be open to the divine presence. Chung Hyun Kyung, Professor of Ecumenical Theology and Interfaith Engagement at Union Theological Seminary, speaks of her own development in Buddhist technique, emphasizing that the emptiness that adherents aim to achieve should be understood as a state that invites spiritual fulfillment. For Kennedy and Knitter, Buddhism represents something akin to the Christian tradition of mysticism—a way of apprehending God more completely—rather than an alternative belief system. And they suggest that just as Christians can profit from engaging with Buddhism, so Buddhists can benefit from the more pronounced Christian emphasis on activism in working toward the goal of peace that all share. Presenting enlightening and engaging observations by three articulate spokespersons, focused on the intersection of Eastern and Western spiritual practices, this is recommended. Aud: C, P. (F. Swietek)