NTRODUCTION In Living Buddha, Living Christ, Thich Nhat Hanh expresses deep respect and appreciation for many elements of Christian tradition—not only for the teachings of Jesus but even for the concept of the Trinity and the possibilities for experiencing the love and compassion that many Christians and certain Christian communities offer. Fortunately for his readers, however, Thich Nhat Hanh does not take the easy way out of ecumenical discussion by ignoring disagreement. He also points out elements of Christian tradition that foster religious intolerance and have led to religious hatred. "Professor Hans Küng has said, “Until there is peace between religions, there can be no peace in the world.” People kill and are killed because they cling too tightly to their own beliefs and ideologies. When we believe that ours is the only faith that contains the truth, violence and suffering will surely be the result.
