An exploration of Buddhist Christian dual belonging

Drew, Rose (2009) An exploration of Buddhist Christian dual belonging. PhD thesis, University of Glasgow.

Abstract

Today it is no longer unheard of in the West for individuals to identify themselves as being both Buddhist and Christian. But how is this possible when, for example, God is so central to Christianity yet absent from Buddhism; when Christians have faith in Jesus Christ while Buddhists take refuge in the Buddha; when Christians hope for heaven and Buddhists hope for nirvana; and when Buddhists and Christians engage in different practices? Are those who identify themselves as belonging to both traditions profoundly irrational, religiously schizophrenic, or perhaps just spiritually superficial? Or is it possible to somehow reconcile the thought and practice of Buddhism and Christianity in such a way that one can be deeply committed to both? And if it is possible, will the influence of Buddhist Christians on each of these traditions be something to be regretted or celebrated? Although John Cobb wondered 30 years ago, ‘Can a Christian be a Buddhist Too?’ (1978), it is really only in the last decade that the question of multireligious identity has begun to receive academic attention and, until now, there has been no in-depth study of dual belonging. This thesis is such a study. It explores Buddhist Christian dual belonging, engaging the theological issues, and drawing on interviews with reflective individuals in the vanguard of this important and growing phenomenon.

• Item Type: Thesis (PhD)
• Qualification Level: Doctoral
• Additional Information: A revised version of this thesis is forthcoming as Buddhist and Christian? An Exploration of Dual Belonging with Routledge (July 2011)
• Keywords: Buddhist Christian dual belonging, Buddhist-Christian, dual-belonging, double-belonging, dual belonging, double belonging, Buddhist Christian dual identity, Buddhist-Christian dual identity, Buddhist-Christian double identity, multireligious identity, mixed religious identity, dual identity, double identity, dual religious identity, double religious identity, hybrid religious identity, hybrid religious identities, mixed religious identity, mixed religious identities, religious belonging, syncretism, buddhist-christian dialogue, buddhist christian dialogue
• Subjects: B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BQ Buddhism; B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BR Christianity; B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BL Religion
• Colleges/Schools: College of Arts & Humanities > School of Critical Studies > Theology and Religious Studies
• Supervisor's Name: Schmidt-Leukel, Professor Perry
• Date of Award: 2009
• Embargo Date: 11 May 2015
• Depositing User: Dr Rose M Drew
• Unique ID: glathesis:2009-761
• Copyright: Copyright of this thesis is held by the author.
• Date Deposited: 20 May 2009
• Last Modified: 10 Dec 2012 13:25
• URI: https://theses.gla.ac.uk/id/eprint/761