Interlog

A Plea for a Pluralist Metaphysic

Q: What do Amidists think about the Christian idea that "Nobody comes to the Father except by me"?
A: I don't think that we have to disagree about that. What we disagree about is monotheism and creationism.

Nuns of various faiths discuss harmony and peace in Hindu Holy City

During a time when there is much hatred, violence and opposition in the world, it is comforting to know

Our Interfaith World

I'm currently reading Jim Wallis's "God's Politics: Why the American right gets it wrong and the left doesn't get it", after reading an article about how Gordon Brown has endorsed the UK edition of the book. Wallis is an evangelic christian and, flicking through the 384 pages, I was wondering what he would make of differing faith communities working together. I came across this passage: "Our world and the United States, in particular, are becoming increasingly pluralistic religiously. How do we navigate the new waters of religious diversity in America and beyond?

Simone Weil

This evening, at The Buddhist House, we had a seminar about Simone Weil (1909-1943), regarded by many as one of the foremost religious thinkers of the 20th century. We were particularly looking at how a person can be simultaneously a genius and a misfit, a much loved figure and an outcast, skilled and inept. Weil came from a secular Jewish backgroud in France and was exceptionally intelligent, yet over shadowed by her brother Andre who was even more intellectually gifted and became one of the great methematicians of the century. When Simone and Andre met they would converse in ancient Greek, just one of many languages she learnt. Simone early developed intense feelings about social oppression and

Buddhism and Christianity: Is there compatibility?

Jersey City, NJ, (USA) -- Zen master Robert E. Kennedy heads Morning Star Zendo, a Buddhist zen center in Jersey City, N.J. As the organization's roshi - or "teacher" - Kennedy leads

The Christian Trinity and Interbeing

A few thoughts on the Christian doctrine of “The Trinity” and the Buddhist understanding of “Interbeing” as another opening between the two traditions where spiritual energy might flow rather freely …

Primal Vow & Covenant Theology

In my very early explorations into Pureland belief and practice, I have come across another “parallel” with my own Christian tradition. This time it happens to be particularly close to my own tradition, Reformed (Presbyterian), and it has me intrigued. IF I am reading correctly, then there is a fascinating parallel between “Primal Vow” and “covenant theology”.....

YeshuAmida

Friends, I will explain the strange title to this offering at the very end. However, let me begin with some beginner’s observations on Pure Land … Over this past weekend I attended the “21^st International Buddhist Festival” held near where I live in the Chicago area.  It was called “International” because presumably every

Myths & Stories

I was having an email discussion with someone who had a more literal interpretation of one of the Buddhist sutras than I did. I was arguing that the story could be seen as a myth but that this did not lessen the “truth” that it spoke of. I was supporting my position with a passage from the introduction to David Loy’s book (co-written with Linda Goodhew) “the dharma Of Dragons And Daemons”. I thought it would be suitable to post here to explore

Translating Inter-religious Dialogue into Action

Representatives from the major faith communities will gather in Geneva, Switzerland for a “Critical Moment Conference” that will address the difficulties facing interreligious relations in the globalized world.

According to the World Council of Churches, the conference will take a “hard look” at the challenges of violence and prejudice which undermine dialogue between faith communities.