From Buddha to Jesus: An Insider’s View of Buddhism & Christianity, by Steve Cioccolanti (Sweet Life International, 2007, 240pp.)

—reviewed by Larry Dinkins

You wouldn’t expect a pastor of an International Church in Melbourne, Australia with a name like “Cioccolanti” (Italian for “chocolate”) to claim an inside track to the mind and worldview of Buddhists. However, his claim to an insider’s view of Buddhism is substantiated by his Thai upbringing and exposure to a very religiously diverse extended family. Besides his Thai Buddhist roots, Steve has added to that a broad education in America and Europe which allows him to address Buddhist issues from both an oriental and occidental viewpoint.

The word “Insider” is emphasized in the title because most apologetical literature on Buddhism is written from the standpoint of “Outsiders” who can claim field experience as missionaries or special skill in the study of comparative religions, but have not been personally steeped in Buddhism from their youth. Hearing and observing first hand how a relative or friend articulates and practices his or her faith is much different than what is portrayed about Buddhism in Hollywood or in scholarly textbooks.

Buddhism has recently experienced an upsurge in popularity due to media exposure as well as its perception as a “tolerant” religion in a world of religious violence and intolerance. The worldwide popularity of the Dalai Lama as a globetrotting ambassador for Buddhism has only added to its luster. Cioccolanti has seized on this fact and has written a popular treatment designed for both thinking/seeking Buddhists from the East as well as anyone from the West who may be dabbling in eastern mysticism. Academics will be disappointed by the lack of original sources and careful scholarship, yet the book was not designed as a textbook for seminary, but a practical book designed to clarify and demystify certain misconceptions about Buddha and his teachings as well as bridge the cultural gap between eastern and western mindsets.

This book has already prompted a strong reaction both in Thailand and especially among Western converts to Buddhism who object to what they view as simplistic explanations of the Buddha’s teaching and a false caricature of their faith. There have been numerous books written on Islam and Hinduism, which have spawned similar controversy, yet such a treatment on Buddhism is a rarity. For this reason, those who minister to the estimated one billion who are touched at some level by Buddhism should at least be aware of this book.

A strength of this book is the conversational tone and illustrations along with stories that act as conversation starters when one tries to dialogue or discuss the gospel with a Buddhist. Buddhist often have stock answers, which tend to kill further discussion. Claiming the universal goodness of all religions or conversely the foreignness of western religions such as Christianity is an effective way of deflecting more probing questions. Cioccolanti’s knowledge of Buddhist semantics, parables, prophecies and stories helps defuse the common barriers that are often erected when engaging in conversation with Buddhists.

The author recognizes the important place of semantics and language in his treatment. Most all major doctrinal words such as God, sin, salvation, belief, heaven and hell must be redefined for a Buddhist to grasp their true biblical meaning. Cioccolanti has recorded over fifty footnotes in his book all related to the definition of familiar Thai words. Added to this are numerous references to both Pali and Sanskrit, the ancient languages of the Buddhist scriptures. Inclusion of these key words serves as a good reminder to all evangelists who tend to speak “Christianeze” instead of the heart language of the target group.

The typical gospel presentation to the Thai has stressed the positive aspects of the love of God, His plan of salvation, and assurance of heaven. This approach may fit a western audience, but for the Buddhist it is often more helpful to remind them first of their inability to live up to their own standards or through their own efforts seek to pay for their numerous sins. Cioccolanti does this by using Buddhist analogies and stories like the “Blind Turtle” as well as the five precepts to emphasize these points. His admonition is to prepare the ground by preaching law instead of prematurely emphasizing grace, which more often than not confuses the first time hearer. When a Buddhist begins to understand that he is indeed a sinner under his own standards, then the message of the love, mercy and compassion of God makes much more sense.

Cioccolanti makes numerous references to the sayings of Buddha and yet is honest when he admits that we really don’t know the accuracy of those assertions. One cannot compare three hundred years of oral transmission before the Buddhist scriptures were recorded and the eye witness accounts of Jesus that were written in the first century. However, just as Paul quoted Greek philosophers without endorsing all their teaching, it is permissible to quote familiar sayings of Buddha as a bridge to Asian hearts or to answer an objection. This book serves as a healthy reminder of the need to “re-load” certain Buddhist sayings or concepts with biblical meaning in order to avoid syncretism.

Avoiding syncretism is no easy task as those who have tried to “push the envelope” with insider movements will attest. In an effort to be relevant to Thai Buddhists, the author tends to blur the lines at times. Speculations about how Buddha or Jesus might have believed about reincarnation are hypotheticals that no one can be sure of. The idea that God gave revelation to Buddha, Ezekiel and Jeremiah and yet only two of them wrote down that revelation is problematic to say the least (p. 154). The assertion that Buddhism is closer to Christianity than all other world religions including Islam is also an item of dispute (p. 206). Speculation over Buddha’s relationship to God (p. 226) and just how far one can press the analogy of Jesus and the coming Buddhist Messiah (p. 237) are topics which scholars will continue to debate.

Another disturbing aspect of the book is the author’s propensity to lose focus and address issues that are important to him, but are tangent to the main theme and title of the book. It is rather jarring to find in a chapter on “The Last Words of Buddha” an exhortation to speak in tongues. In a treatise on the end times, Cioccolanti inserts a section on Creationism and Darwinian evolution, which may be suitable in a biology class, but could be deemed out of place when the theme is Buddhist eschatology. One could also cite frequent references to Jesus paying for sins in hell during the three days between the cross and resurrection (p. 59, 136, 139). One could have wished that such distractions could have been left out of the book and thus evade unnecessary alienation on the part of some readers.
Overall, the contribution that Cioccolanti makes is his honest attempt to address Buddhist perceptions and worldviews that are often missed by scholars and “outsiders.” I have lived among Thai Buddhist people for over twenty years and was pleasantly surprised to gain new insights from this book, many of which are absent in more scholarly treatments. Most of the illustrations, stories and parables are practical enough to be internalized and used in a winsome way in personal witnessing. There are plenty of starting points for those who are wondering just where to begin a conversation when engaging a Buddhist. This book serves as a reminder that it is a divine work that brings people “from Buddha to Jesus” and yet it is our job to partner with God by being ready to “give an answer for the hope that lies within us” in a culturally relevant way.

The above article has been republished with permission from Larry Dinkins and the International Journal of Frontier Missiology

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Bhikkhu

Mr.Larry Dinkins;
Thank you for the review.You seem at least to try to be somewhat objective in your approach.Have you read my book review of the same book? I would be interested in what you think.Heres the link...
http://www.scribd.com/doc/19107203/-From-Buddha-to-Jesus-by-Steve-Cioccolanti-Review-by-Bhikkhu-aggacitto

Have a great day!

Bhikkhu aggacitto

Bhikkhu aggacitto , October 30, 2009 | url

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Hi Everyone,
I’m a practising Buddhist but I do learn from the Bible.

All I can say about this book is that I think the author has very superficial understanding of the religion.

I think it’s quite silly of him to go around converting Buddhist to Christians because it is such a waste of time. Considering the fact that there are so many countries living below the poverty line, I feel that Buddhist are the least of his concern. Just look at Mother Theresa. She didn’t go around converting people. All she did was to help people regardless of all religions.

I think the author is very sly, as he got a number of reviews that were quite positive. However, if u look at it carefully, the reviewers are all Christians… Of course, they do not know what’s going on. If a Buddhist said that it is a good book about Buddha, then it will be a true review. Unfortunately it is not..

Sometimes, I think that because of all these “definition” it separates people and that is the cause of all the problems in the world. I have realized long ago that one has to be objective, learn from ALL religions, pick out the best and apply it to one’s own life.

After reading the scriptures and text from both religions, I think that Buddha is more defined. He will define what he says. But he’ll always say that one must practise because words cannot describe the experience that he has experienced.

I think the Jesus’s teaching are more cryptic and more open to interpretation. So one needs to let go of his ego in order to receive his teachings. I could go on for days but I think that’s all for now.

I suggest to all not to take his book so literally. I think there’s a very good book (although it’s not suitable for beginners) titled: In Buddha’s Words edited by Bhikkhu Bodhi. I’ve read this book and I think it’s great.

I think one has to have a certain depth to comment about the different aspects of religion. Unfortuantely, the author doesn't have any depth at all. One must understand that one will only see what he wants to see. So, unless your background is clear, you will not be able to see the truth about things.

J C , November 13, 2009

Bhikkhu aggacitto

Hi Everyone Here is the NEW link for the above mentioned book review!


http://www.scribd.com/doc/23770274/From-Buddha-To-Jesus-by-Steve-Cioccolanti-A-Review-by-Bhikkhu-aggacitto



Have a blessed day!


Bhikkhu aggacitto

Bhikkhu aggacitto , February 01, 2010 | url

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Cioccolanti must have been a very poor buddhist. His knowledge of buddhism is so wrong. I hope all aspiring christians converts read the true buddhism before believing anything he said.

thai friend , March 19, 2010

recently published in Thai

this book has recently been published in Thai under the title "จากตถาคตถึงเยซู" Here is the link to a Thai bookstore selling it (http://www.booktrue.com/main/p...8116228ba3)

Karl Dahlfred , March 22, 2010

Bhikkhu aggacitto

Mr.Larry Dinkins,

"Most all major doctrinal words such as God, sin, salvation, belief, heaven and hell must be redefined for a Buddhist to grasp their true biblical meaning"

This is a poor excuse for Pastor Cioccolanti's three card monte styled word play deception, while belittling every Buddhist's intelligence to do so. For me to state that you were attempting to be at least somewhat objective in your approach was actually very generous.

"One cannot compare three hundred years of oral transmission before the Buddhist scriptures were recorded and the eye witness accounts of Jesus that were written in the first century."

Now, Now, Larry... I know you're not talking about any first hand eye witness accounts that are extant to the time that Jesus was supposed to have lived,and just how far into the first century are you talking? The earliest New Testament Canonical document that we have is the Rylands Library Papyrus P52 also known as the St John's fragment which is a fragment of the book of John, the earliest low ball figure for that would be perhaps just prior 100 C.E. and the other end of that would be about 150 C.E. thankfully though, the Buddhist does not consider the Tipataka some sort of divine word of an infallible "God" whose every word has to be somehow defended regardless of the circumstance.
As a belief per se in the free market place of ideas and perspectives I respect it as much as any other,and contrary to Christianity do not believe that Buddhism is the only righteous and truthful religious belief on this planet, although I personally don't perceive it as being quite as or for that matter, more productive spiritually. If I did I would perhaps be a Christian Pastor instead of a Buddhist monk.

"There have been numerous books written on Islam and Hinduism, which have spawned similar controversy, yet such a treatment on Buddhism is a rarity."

Larry, I will tell you with no exaggeration, I have neverseen such a book written about any other religious belief with so many blatant lies and twisted distortions. To call this book a false caricature of our religious faith would hardly begin to cover it. To say that this book is written about how Buddhism is lived and practiced as opposed to anything else which he has used as an excuse elsewhere, is no good excuse when you simply tell lie after lie after lie about what the Buddha did or did not teach while posturing yourself as an expert "insider" of Buddhism.

By the way, here's the new link for my book review of this book should anyone be interested:
http://dhammaprotector.blogspot.com/2009/09/namo-tassa-bhagavato-arahato_19.html
As well, be sure to check out this review of Pastor Cioccolanti's latest article at his blog site
http://buddhabook.org/bookblog/which is used to promote this book: http://dhammaprotector.blogspo...-than.html

When you read this review of his latest article at his blog site please notice for one thing amongst many how Pastor Cioccolanti "redefines" the popular definition of the word love with more of his three card monte word game deceptive hucksterism.

I sincerely wish you Mr.Larry Dinkins and everyone else the very best of all good things spiritual.


Bhikkhu aggacitto

Bhikkhu aggacitto , July 01, 2010 | url

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Mr. Larry Dinkins,
To say that you were being somewhat objective in your approach regarding this review was actually somewhat generous.


"The author recognizes the important place of semantics and language in his treatment. Most all major doctrinal words such as God, sin, salvation, belief, heaven and hell must be redefined for a Buddhist to grasp their true biblical meaning."

This is a poor excuse for Pastor Cioccolanti's deceptive three card monte styled word play.
It also belittles the intelligence of every Buddhist.

"There have been numerous books written on Islam and Hinduism, which have spawned similar controversy, yet such a treatment on Buddhism is a rarity."

I have simply never seen a book written about a religious belief with so many lies and blatant distortions,a false caricature of our faith would hardly begin to describe it. Such a treatment on Buddhism is actually a rarity because it is rare to see someone tell lie after lie after lie about the Buddhist teaching while posturing themselves as some sort of "insider" type of expert of Buddhism.
It also seems painfully obvious that perhaps as others you have read this book and chosen to believe what he writes in order to make some of the assumptions that you make in this review about the topic of "sin" and what our standards are.

"One cannot compare three hundred years of oral transmission before the Buddhist scriptures were recorded and the eye witness accounts of Jesus that were written in the first century."

Now, Now, Now, Larry!
I know that neither Pastor Cioccolanti or you are talking about an extant eye witness account written during the time that Jesus was supposed to have lived! And just how far into the first century are you talking about?
The Rylands Library Papyrus P52, also known as the St John's fragment,is the oldest known New testament Canonical document that we have.It is dated between just prior to 100 C.E. to perhaps 150 C.E.
We have other documents that are extant to that time period by Josephus the Jewish historian and Livy the Roman historian but NONE that even mention Jesus!
There are those who talk about the dead sea scrolls and the particular one that was brought to light in 1991 regarding the book of Luke, but even that does not mention Jesus.That dead Sea Scroll actually supports the theory that the new testament was fashioned to meet the Jewish expectations of the day. The "teacher of righteousness" referred to was a term used by the Essene for the leader of the Essenes.
Which is why if there was more than one leader of the Essene there would be more than one "teacher of righteousness".1 Now just how likely would it be that they would copy everything so exactly practically word for word from the testimony of Luke but then forget to write the name of the man who would be the central figure of the book of Luke?
Was there a conspiracy for everyone NOT to write about Jesus that mysteriously ended at about 100 C.E.?

Thankfully the Tipataka is not considered some sort of divine word of an infallible "God", whose every word must be rationalized regardless of the circumstance.
Although I do respect Christianity per se as a religious belief deserving that much respect as any other,unlike Christianity I do not believe that Buddhism is the only righteous and truthful religion on this planet although I don't think it as or for that matter more productive spiritually, otherwise I would perhaps be a Christian Pastor instead of a Buddhist monk.

Here's the new link for my review of this book:
http://dhammaprotector.blogspot.com/2009/09/namo-tassa-bhagavato-arahato_19.html
As well, if you or anyone else would like to look at
the response to his latest article posted at:
http://buddhabook.org/bookblog/the response would be here:http://dhammaprotector.blogspot.com/2010/05/why-is-buddhism-different-in-east-than.html

Notice just how he "redefines" the popular use of the word love in this blog article when he writes that in Buddhism love is the enemy!


I wish you all the very best of all things spiritual!

Bhikkhu aggacitto

1. http://www.time.com/time/magaz...24,00.html

Bhikkhu aggacitto , July 01, 2010 | url

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