EBOOK
Thomas Merton's Encounter with Buddhism and Beyond
His Interreligious Dialogue, Inter-monastic Exchanges, and Their Legacy
Jaechan Anselmo Park(0)
About
Thomas Merton recognized the value and possibility of contemplative dialogue between monastics and contemplatives of other religious traditions and hoped that, through such dialogue, monastics would strive for 'inter-monastic communion' and a bonding of the broader 'spiritual family.' He held out hope that this bond would demonstrate the fundamental unity of humanity to a world that was becoming ever more materialistic and divided.
Among other themes and topics, this book explores Thomas Merton's role as a pioneer of Buddhist-Christian dialogue and monastic interreligious dialogue. It delves into the process of Merton's self-transformation through contemplative experiences, explores his encounter with Zen and Tibetan Buddhists and his pioneering engagements in Buddhist-Christian dialogue, and presents and responds to the criticisms of those who raise questions about Merton's understanding of Buddhism.
Fr. Jaechan Anselmo Park, OSB, articulates and analyzes the influences of Buddhist theory and practice on Thomas Merton's contemplative spirituality and shows how Merton's legacy has influenced and continues to inspire interreligious and inter-monastic dialogue, particularly in an Asian monastic context.
Among other themes and topics, this book explores Thomas Merton's role as a pioneer of Buddhist-Christian dialogue and monastic interreligious dialogue. It delves into the process of Merton's self-transformation through contemplative experiences, explores his encounter with Zen and Tibetan Buddhists and his pioneering engagements in Buddhist-Christian dialogue, and presents and responds to the criticisms of those who raise questions about Merton's understanding of Buddhism.
Fr. Jaechan Anselmo Park, OSB, articulates and analyzes the influences of Buddhist theory and practice on Thomas Merton's contemplative spirituality and shows how Merton's legacy has influenced and continues to inspire interreligious and inter-monastic dialogue, particularly in an Asian monastic context.
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Reviews
"Jaechan Anselmo Park has gifted us with a carefully written, well-organized exploration of Thomas Merton's understanding of inner experience, interreligious dialogue, and inter-monastic/inter-contemplative dialogue. His detailed exploration of Merton's legacy concerning these matters establishes a context for considering the future of inter-monastic exchange and contemplative dialogue in Asia, an
Dennis Patrick O'Hara, St. Michael's College, University of Toronto
"Fr. Park's profound study of Thomas Merton's multi-religious encounters reveals the enormous impact and importance of Merton's legacy for the church and for the world. It is the first extensive study to explore Merton's legacy in terms of how it has shaped the institutional church, through the activities of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue (PCID) and through the Monastic Interre
Joe Raab, Professor of Religious Studies and Theology, Siena Heights University
"An intriguing and significant contribution to interfaith encounter, Benedictine Jaechan Anselmo Park's carefully researched Thomas Merton's Encounter with Buddhism and Beyond provides fresh insight into the way that Merton's evolving sense of contemplation and his exploration of experiential interfaith dialogue broke new ground. Park's passionate concern for human self-transformation is evident a
Wendy M. Wright, Professor Emerita of Theology, Creighton University