A broad presentation of the key Buddhist teaching, practices and beliefs for the Western reader. It discusses ancient and modern contacts between Buddhism and Western thought, and introduces core Buddhist ideas - suffering, impermanence and non-self; knowledge and faith; wisdom and compassion; meditation; transcendance and the absolute; and the person of the Buddha.
This collection of essays in fundamental theology reassesses the status of Christian doctrinal language within the contemporary "regime of truth." It revisits the tension between Athens and Jerusalem, exploring the metaphysical structures of the Greek mind alongside the biblical events of revelation and salvation, especially in light of Heidegger's "overcoming of metaphysics." Through a deconstructive reading of classical Christian texts, the work clears the way for a return to biblical realities as understood in contemporary consciousness. The author presents a rethinking of Christian doctrine, addressing the needs of many modern Christians. Esteemed scholars commend the work for its imaginative and profound engagement with Christian revelation, highlighting its penetrating diagnosis of the crisis of faith and theology. The author confronts the theological bankruptcy of churches and the resulting crisis of understanding, which contributes to the rise of new fundamentalisms and dogmatic orthodoxies. Joseph S. O'Leary, an Irish theologian based in Japan since 1983, has taught at Sophia University and held a chair for interreligious research at Nanzan University. His current research focuses on a philosophical and theological dialogue with Indian Mahayana Buddhism.