Compassion and Meditation

A profound reflection on how complementary themes in Buddhism and Christianity could serve as the basis for a truly ecumenical faith • Compares Zen meditation with the Greek Orthodox practice of Hesychasm (prayer of the heart) • Shows how Buddha and Jesus represent the distinct yet complementary values of meditation and compassion In Asian spiritual traditions the mountain traditionally symbolizes meditation while the ocean signifies compassion. Jean-Yves Leloup uses this metaphor to compare Buddhist and Christian approaches to meditation and compassion to reveal the similarities and divergences of these profound practices. Emphasizing their complementary nature, Leloup describes how Jesus and Buddha are necessary to one another and how together they form a complete system: Jesus as awakening through love, and Buddha as awakening through meditation. Where Buddha represents the forests, Jesus represents the trees. Buddha is brother to the universe, whereas Jesus is brother to humanity. Nevertheless, these two religious traditions have a profound common ground. Compassion is central to Buddhism, and meditation practices have been central to many Christian traditions. Both view murder, theft, and the destructive use of sexuality as great barriers to realizing our essential being, and both agree on the need to rise above them. Here, however, Leloup suggests that both faiths could benefit from the precepts of the other. The complementary aspects of Christianity and Buddhism offer the possibility for a truly profound ecumenical religion whose interfaith relations are based on deep understanding of the true meaning and practice of meditation and compassion and not merely shared goodwill.

Introduction Part One The Way of Meditation 1 Zen and Hesychasm 2 Transmission The Samaritan Woman 3 The Practice of Hesychast Meditation Posture • Orientation • Breathing • Invocation • Centered in the Heart Part Two The Way of Compassion 4 What Is a Bodhisattva? 5 The Dhammapada and the Gospels 6 The Vow of Compassion 7 The Practice of Compassion 8 Impurities of the Mind 9 The Five Motivations The "Desire for the God-Realms" • The Desire for Awakening • "Disinterested" Desire • Gratuity • Sharing 10 The Four Considerations Taught by the Buddha The Same Family • A Community of Destiny • Impermanence • Buddha-Nature 11 The Three Attitudes: The King, the Ferryman, the Shepherd 12 The Six Perfections, or the Six Paramitas 13 Giving The Gift of Material Things • The Gift of Protection • The Gift of Love • The Gift of Loving-Kindness • The Gift of Truth 14 Discipline 15 Three Negative Actions of the Body Killing • Taking What Is Not Ours (Theft) • Misuse of Sexuality 16 Three Positive Actions of the Body Protection • Giving • Good Use of Sexuality (Chastity) 17 Four Negative Actions of Speech Lying • Ill Will • Insult • Chatter 18 Four Positive Actions of Speech Speaking Honestly • Speaking for the Good • Maintaining a Space of Listening • Speaking Clearly and Concisely 19 Three Negative Actions of the Mind Possessiveness • Antagonism • Fixating on Concepts 20 Three Positive Actions of the Mind Satisfaction • Goodwill • Flexibility of Mind 21 Patience 22 Energy 23 Meditation 24 Wisdom Epilogue--Between Us: Nothing Notes Index