Living Zen, Loving God

Professor Dr. Ruben L.F. Habito is a professional teacher of religious sciences and spirituality at the Perkins School of Theology in Dallas/Texas. At the same time is an authorized ZEN-Master who underwent a very long and strict ZEN-training in Kamakura/Japan under Yamada Koun Roshi (1907 - 1989). Born in the Philippines in 1947 Habito is wonderfully nurtured with Eastern mentality a thought. In 1970 Habito came as a young Jesuit to Japan and was very soon discoveréd as one of the most brillant young teachers at Sophia University. Habito masterfully combined scientific work with meditative practice. He is married to a German sinologist and his the father of 2 beautiful boys. Habito knows who to bridge and reconcile East & West, Zen-Buddhism and Christianity and unfolds a cosmic realm in which both religious traditions can be felt as non-separate. Habito has many ZEN-disciples all over America and is a highly respected capacity in spiritual guidance. According to Habito a profound enlightment experience will not keep people away from everydays' life, problems and conflicts. ZEN will bring people who are in search direct into the heart of the world. The Kingdom of GOD is at hand -- here and now. The very present moment at any time is the greatest challenge for all people walking on a spiritual path. Ruben Habito is a master who accompanies his disciples through the jungle of darkness and obstacles towards the peak of light and liberation. "Living ZEN -Loving GOD" is a spiritual masterpiece by which readers and practioners may be awakened to real life in its fullness. Roland R. Ropers Religious- & Transformative Philosophy Chairman International Gandhi & Griffiths Society D 80337 München / Germany

Ruben Habito is certainly not a household name for many of us, and yet he is a prominent figure in the Zen tradition. He is a native of the Philippines, and the current Zen master of the Maria Kannon Zen Center in Dallas since 1990. Obviously the first thing which hits one when glancing at the title of this book is Thich Nhat Hanh's similar title "Living Buddha, Living Christ." In a sense the goal is quite similar. Habito has always been vigorous in supporting inter-religious discussion between members of various faiths. As a teen, he explains how he was drawn to the Jesuit order and later was sent to Japan on missionary work. He marks this as a major turning point in his life. He was assigned to Kamakura, where he came to understand the language and culture. The priest who looked after him in Japan, Fr. Hand, was ironically studying at a Zen center there under Yamada Koun Roshi. Habito joined the sitting group, and found himself very much at home in Zen practice. He has since retained both of these traditions as his spiritual roots. In 1978, Ruben received Dharma transmission from Yamada Roshi. During the years between meeting Roshi and first coming to Japan, Habito had been there for almost 17 years. He'd experienced a lot of struggling being a member of two seemingly irreconcilable religious traditions. Christianity and Zen Buddhism. But through diligence and hard practice, he has been able to show people the path of a reconciliation between these two faiths. He remarks that it is his Zen practice that allowed him to come to clear and powerful understanding of Christian scripture. Led him to an EXPERIENCING of the gospels, not just mere intellectual understanding. This book is a must have for members of either faith looking for a way to open the table for dialogue, or to accentuate their faith with the best food of another tradition. This book was wonderful, enjoy it.