Buddha and Christ: Images of Wholeness - Hardcover

Elinor, Robert

9780718830113: Buddha and Christ: Images of Wholeness

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0718830113 ISBN 13: 9780718830113

Publisher: James Clarke and Co Ltd, 2000

This book explores the visual images produced by two of the world's great religions, and the cultural and spiritual traditions that inform and support them. Its purpose is threefold. First, its attention to the way in which the images embody history, myth, and doctrine offers a unique comparative introduction to Buddhism and Christianity. Second, it invites readers to see similarities and differences between the images as local inflections of a universal archetype, and the basis for dialogue between the two faiths. And finally, it makes some of the world's most profound and moving art more accessible by illustrating and explaining its patterns, symbols, and styles. Illustrated with one hundred twenty carefully selected and matched images of Buddhist and Christian iconography from around the world, this work will be of value to anyone interested in the fine arts as an expression of human spirituality.

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Review:

"Beautiful without being showy, erudite without being pedantic, complex without being complicated. Surely it will help Christians better understand their Christianity, while making an appreciation of Buddhism accessible to a wider Western audience." Revd Dr William F. Fore "An extraordinary accomplishment which will be valued not just by Buddhists and Christians but by all who acknowledge the need for truth and beauty in the life of the world. Robert Elinor writes with a deep and insightful knowledge of his subject, presenting his material with skill, balance, sensitivity, truthfulness, and understanding." Ronald C. Maddox, General Secretary, The Buddhist Society

Synopsis:

This is the first book to bring together visual images of Buddha and Christ in the same volume. Drawing on over twenty years of college teaching in religious studies and several research expeditions in Europe and Asia, the author deals with much of the common ground between these two religions, as well as the distinctiveness of each, from an unusual and fascinating perspective. Almost 140 illustrations, two-thirds of them in colour, taken from sources as diverse as ancient manuscript, masterpieces of art, coins, film, advertisements, and children's drawings, are accompanied by a commentary of 55,000 words together with explanatory notes. The text ranges from biographical sketches of Gautama and Jesus to description of the way in which visual images embody the history, myth, and doctrine of the Buddhist and Christian faiths. The work has a threefold purpose: to provide a unique introduction to Buddhism and Christianity through visual images; to contribute to the growing Buddhist-Christian dialogue; and to make some of the world's most significant art more accessible through an explanation of its patterns, symbols, and styles.

It will be invaluable not only to art-lovers and students of comparative religion, but also to those wishing to gain a greater understanding of a culture which dominates much of the world that we share and seems very distinct from our own but which, as we are becoming ever more aware, has many points of contact with it.

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