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Healing and Transformation: Lonergan, Girard and Buddhism
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 01 January 2024
Abstract
This paper presents some comparative themes examining the anthropologies of Bernard Lonergan, René Girard and the four noble truths in Buddhism. It also engages some specific aspects from the Tibetan lineage of Buddhism represented by Pema Chödron (Canada), following her teacher Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche.
The approach of the paper invokes the structure of John Thatamanil's The Immanent Divine: diagnosis, etiology, prognosis, prescription (solution) as an organizational way of presenting material on such diverse thinkers. Following an overview of these thinkers, I will highlight some of the themes such as suffering, violence, healing, compassion, and the role of affectivity in its relation to desire. It should become clear that such a practical approach to Buddhist-Christian dialogue provides a fruitful starting point and underscores the value of learning other religious traditions.
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- Copyright © 2017 Provincial Council of the English Province of the Order of Preachers
References
1 The content of this essay was derived from a course I developed as a participant in the final cohort of the Luce Summer Seminars in Comparative Theology administered by the American Academy of Religion, Atlanta, 2013, 2014, 2016. I am grateful to John Thatamanil and Francis Clooney for their organizing leadership in those seminars. A draft of this paper was given at the Ecclesiological Investigations Conference, Christianity in Asia, Chinese University of Hong Kong, July 21, 2016. I am grateful for the feedback I received, especially from Peter C. Phan. Phan was also honored at the conference for his life work and deep theological reflection navigating the metaxis of two continents.
2 The Pope went on to say that these dialogues need to be particularly directed to Islam and to secular non-believers. Pope Francis I, Catholic New Service, March 22, 2013.
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62 Nhat Hanh, The Heart of Buddha's Teaching, 175.
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