We should maintain that if an interpretation of any word in any religion leads to disharmony and does not positively further the welfare of the many, then such an interpretation is to be regarded as wrong; that is, against the will of God, or as the working of Satan or Mara.

Buddhadasa Bikkhu, a Thai Buddhist Monk


Friday, October 7, 2011

Seeing the Way, Taking the Path

When Jesus said, "I am the way, He meant that to have a true relationship with God, you must practice His way.  In the Acts of the Apostles, the early Christians always spoke of their faith as "the Way."  To me, "I am the way" is a better statement than "I know the way."  The way is not an asphalt road.  But we must distinguish between the "I" spoken by Jesus and the "I" that people usual think of.  The "I" in His statement is life itself, which is the way.  If you do not really look at His life, you cannot see the way.  If you only satisfy yourself with praising a name, even the name of Jesus, it is not practicing the life of Jesus.  We must practice living deeply, loving, and act with charity if we wish to truly honor Jesus.  The way is Jesus Himself and not just some idea of Him.  A true teaching is not static.  It is not mere words but the reality of life."


Thich Nhat Hanh
Living Buddha, Living Christ
pages 55-56