Thoughts On The East
Thoughts On The East by Thomas Merton, published by A&C Black on February 1, 2000, is a reflective exploration of Eastern religious traditions, particularly Buddhism, which captivated Merton in the later years of his life. This edition spans 98 pages and presents a collection of Merton’s insights, including extracts from his conversations with the Dalai Lama and selections from his “Asian Journal.” The work encapsulates Merton’s quest for a deeper understanding of spirituality and the interconnectedness of various religious philosophies.
Readers will find a thoughtful discourse on the themes of religion, spirituality, and comparative religion, as Merton articulates his vision of unity amidst diversity. The book serves as a testament to his role as a skilled interpreter of Eastern thought for Western audiences, offering essential definitions and reflections that highlight his profound engagement with these traditions. Through this collection, Merton’s enduring interest in the complexities of Eastern religions is vividly illustrated, providing a window into his intellectual and spiritual journey.
Official synopsis Publisher
The Eastern religious traditions, especially the varieties of Buddhism, were the last great passion in Thomas Merton’s life. His participation in a monastic conference in Asia led to his premature, accidental death. He discoursed on equal terms with the Dalai Lama, and extracts from their interviews appear in this book. The introduction brings together extracts from Merton’s “Asian Journal” (Hinduism and varieties of Buddhism), and other short works on Eastern religions written in the last few years of his life. They all combine to demonstrate the breadth of vision that is such an integral part of Merton’s lasting appeal, his quest for a deeper unity underlying apparent fragmentation. They might be regarded as steps toward the great book on monasticism that Merton might have written but never did. As they stand, they provide Merton’s essential definitions of the religions that so interested him in the last years of his life, and of which he became a skilful Western interpreter.
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