buddhism

"The Zen Teachings of Jesus," by Kenneth Leong takes the reader on a gentle journey into the art of living through the teachings and humor of Jesus. It is amazing to find that questions one may have about Zen are answered in a way that allows the reader to feel what Zen is. For this reader, it was the first step in understanding the art of living and the teachings of Jesus. It is a book that gives new meaning to the "living words of God!" How does one listen beyond words? How does one see the extraordinary in the ordinary? What are hell, love, and faith? This book is an incredible tapestry, a beautiful work that brings depth and meaning to the "art of living."

The impression that the book presents on its cover is that it will examine the teachings of Jesus and how they resemble Zen ideas. Mr. Leong makes a 232-page attempt to do that. In the introduction, he exhorts the reader to be opened-minded, not restricted to the reader's past religious lessons, and look at the teachings of Jesus as if for the first time. After asking the reader to do so, Mr. Leong does just the opposite. He reads the scriptures with such a background of Zen thinking that he oftentimes misses their very obvious meanings. Anyone reading the Gospels for the first time would scarcely come to the same conclusions as Mr. Leong. He quotes several authors to try to add validity to his points. One of the more often quoted is C. S. Lewis. I have read all of Lewis's quoted works, and found Mr. Leong to even have misinterpreted these at times. Mr. Leong appears to have tried too hard to force Zen upon Jesus. I found myself frustrated at his lack of seeing the obvious meanings while trying to interpret the teachings of Jesus in a Zen paradigm.

It is a sad indictment on Christianity that it requires another spiritual path to reveal the hidden beauty and power, the spiritual profundity of Jesus's message - such however is the case. This book comes close to being a revelation.

Every chapter contains an important spiritual insight, some contain two or three. It's a book for that growing number of thinking people who have come to question the official doctrine of the church and want to get a deeper understanding of what Jesus really ment - "the low down". Those who are sold on the official version will get little from this book - they might as well save their time and money. Leong covers every salient point and more to boot. For Buddhists and free seekers its a feast, a smorgasbord. This is good because Buddhists can be just as spiritually prejudiced as Christians. Spiritual maturity is what this book promotes - something sadly missing in todays world.

Leong breaths life into Jesus's wonderful and important message. My only criticism, (and its a small one), is that Leong's style could be a bit more, well, peppy. Not that I was in danger of falling asleep - the important point is what he says, his message, (which is Jesus's message), and this message packs a massive punch, far more poweful than the official one - the book is dynamite.

One of the great strengths of the book and one that gives it added depth, is that Leong weaves together diverse topics and shows their spiritual significance. These topics include art, existentialism, (the writings of Albert Camus), addiction, (with emphasis on alcoholism), the importance of myth and the significance of miricles. So the general approach of the book then is broad and 'historical', and although it does deal with "bare bone" spirituality (it has the word Zen on the cover), its soft and more Buddhist in nature, not like for example Advaita. The bare bones come, but they are introduced gently, with a long approach run. Those intimidated by words such as "Zen" should not be. Like the teaching of Jesus itself, the book can be accessed and understood at different levels. Don't be ashamed to read it twice.

In summary, its an excellent book for someone who wishes to deepen their spiritual understanding, without a label being attached. If you are one of those people who tend to favour labels, this book will help you dispose of them.