FROM THE PUBLISHER

A distinguished scholar and philosopher of religion contrasts the mystic qualities of two faiths in this thought-provoking and inspirational book. Drawing parallels and noting disparities, the author examines Christianity--as expressed in the writings of Meister Eckhart (1260-1326), an unconventional ecclesiastic who encouraged transcendence of traditional faith--and Buddhism, explicating the views of both on such concepts as infinity, eternity, and the transmigration of souls. He further defines Buddhist mysticism in terms of kono-mama, a state of spiritual contentment, and offers enlightening excerpts from the letters of 15th-century teacher Rennyo Shonin, and the journals of Shonin's 20th-century counterpart, Saichi. Unabridged reprint of the classic 1957 edition.

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