Kristus og Buddha hand i hand

Abstract

Against a background of increasing Muslim influence in Europe, the article «Buddha and Christ Joining Hands» identifies a growing understanding between Buddhism and Christianity. Reasons for this rapproachment are partly found in a history without crusades from either side. The positive, dialogue-generating influence of Nishida Kitaro and the so-called «Kyoto School of Philosophy» are, together with a common Buddhist-Christian concern for religious freedom in e.g. Tibet, seen as conducive to the contemporary, positive state of affairs. The article furthermore illustrates the contextual character of contemporary interreligious relationships and outlines an adapted and dialogically interpreted transcendental category as their philosophical foundation. Conclusively, the article argues for potentially fruitful Buddhist contributions to interrelations between the Abrahamitic faiths, i.e. Christianity, Islam and Judaism.