Jesus and Buddha: A Dialogue between Laurence Freeman and the Dalai Lama

Jesus and Buddha

A dialogue between Laurence Freeman and the Dalai Lama

In this dialogue with the Dalai Lama, Fr. Laurence Freeman discusses the evolution of our relationship to Jesus as our teacher, and the challenges of discipleship.  Speaking from personal experience, he describes three levels of relationship.  The first level see Jesus as a fellow human being, no doubt extraordinary, awakening to enlightenment on the spiritual journey.  He is the exemplary model for one's life in his integrity, his transcendence beyond cultural conditioning, and his renunciation of self.  At the second level, Jesus is experienced as part of one's identity, one's centre of gravity in whom the disciple can take refuge.  This develops into the third level in an experience of the 'Inner Christ' in which Jesus is still alive and present to us in a different form, in spirit, transforming us as we awake to the divining presence within us and in others.