Structure of Religions (Keith Ward)
by Kyōshin Samuels
I’m reading an interesting book by the theologian Keith Ward called Images of Eternity. His stated aim in the book is to undertake a phenomenological analysis of the structure of five religious traditions including Buddhism.
The book contains a diagram (Oneworld, 1993, p.80) which suggests a basic structure of six concerns shared by all five faiths. Each of these concerns then contain a spectrum of possible positions marked by two poles (or possibly axis?).
|
Authority |
A – Experience |
| B – Dictation | |
|
The Real |
A – Passive / Void |
| B – Active Person | |
|
The Goal |
A - Absorption |
| B – Love / Obedience | |
|
Means |
A – Moral, Ascetic & Ritual Effort |
| B - Grace | |
|
Limitation |
A – World Denial |
| B – World Affirmation | |
|
Cause |
A – Ignorance / Karma |
| B – Sin / Judgement |
What I find interesting about the diagram is that it illustrates the complexity that faces anyone who is open to interfaith dialogue. For example a Lutheran and a Shin Buddhist are likely to find much common ground with regards to (4) but will likely differ greatly over (6).
A few years back I was talking to one Shin priest-scholar about the work of another who is very sympathetic to the Christian tradition and the former told me that he had once asked the latter; “Why don’t you just convert?” I felt it was a rather cold statement at the time and the above illustrates why. Even those who aim, even yearn, to focus on the single path offered by one particular tradition may find that a sincere assessment of the above concerns does not allow them to do so whole-heartedly.
Hi,
“Even those who aim, even yearn, to focus on the single path offered by one particular tradition may find that a sincere assessment of the above concerns does not allow them to do so whole-heartedly.”
Yes, that’s exactly how I feel! Thank you for putting it so well.
Marcus
Interfaith dialogue and intrafaith dialogue… concepts such as “sin” are presented in such differing ways!
This is a useful model, thanks for sharing it. Have you come across Paul Knitter’s “Without Buddha I could not be a Christian” – a really interesting and personal exploration of faith. Its not necessarily his conclusions that I find interesting but the process he uses. he looks at areas of difficulties he has in his own faith tradition, then looks at what Buddhism might have to say on a similar matter, before bringing some of that back to inform a new understanding of his Christian faith. No doubt there will be both Buddhists and Christians at odds with some of his conclusions but it does read as a sincere account of some one exploring their faith.
Hi Ray, It’s great to get your input on this. Thank you.
Interfaith dialogue and intrafaith dialogue… concepts such as “sin” are presented in such differing ways!
Yes, that’s kind of what I was hinting at when I said that the poles of each concern may actually be more like axis on an X-Y graph so that there are a broad range of understandings drawing to different degrees on the moral & ethical and psychological & dharmic frameworks.
Have you come across Paul Knitter’s “Without Buddha I could not be a Christian”
I’m aware of it but have yet to obtain a copy. On your recommendation I’ll bump it up my ‘to read’ list!