An Emulation of Sanctity: Hinduism and Christianity in Dialogue

An Emulation of Sanctity: Hinduism and Christianity in Dialogue

This book offers a theological reflection of great depth that does not fall into the trap of simplistic syncretism, nor into the temptation to “Christianize” a tradition that is thousands of years old and has its own coherence. By agreeing to leave the obvious behind, without ever denying what makes his Christian faith unique, Yann Vagneux offers us an authentic dialogue that accounts for a dual expatriation: from Christianity to the Hindu world and from Hinduism to the Christian world. The author invites readers to adopt the theological attitude of listening in order to discern the silent symphony of the Spirit that springs from Hindu wisdom, even if it means being disoriented. This is the condition for becoming a true “cooperator of the truth.” Is the truth not precisely a pilgrimage, an invitation to a journey away from familiar shores? "Over the past few decades, Christian theologians have laid the theoretical foundations for interfaith dialogue--a necessary but relatively easy task. In this fascinating volume, Yann Vagneux undertakes the far more demanding work of embodying the lived dimension of interreligious encounter. His work on spiritual expatriation represents interreligious spirituality at its finest, deepening our understanding of Hinduism and Christianity alike." --Enrico Beltramini, Professor of Theology, Retired, Notre Dame de Namur University, California "With his magnanimous spirit, religious erudition, and spiritual depth, Yann Vagneux plunges into the Hindu tradition and is able to lift up the various ways in which it may open, or, to use his own expression, 'dilate' Christianity and make it receptive the way God speaks through the saintly figures and ideas of other religions." --Catherine Cornille, Professor of Comparative Theology, Boston College "A pilgrim himself, Yann Vagneux invites us--Hindus and Christians--to understand ourselves as pilgrims journeying in friendship towards the divine who always exceeds our understanding. He shows us that by attentively and humbly opening our hearts and minds to each other, we could share what is most sacred and dear to us, we could become more authentic versions of ourselves, and we could be enriched by experiencing the deep sanctity in each other's lives. His writing is suffused with a deep love for Hindus and the insights of Hindu spirituality. This book resonates with the message that it is only through such love and embrace that one could hope to enter into and understand a tradition different from one's own." --Anantanand Rambachan, Professor Emeritus of Religion, St. Olaf College Yann Vagneux is a priest of the Paris Foreign Missions Society. He has been in India for over twenty-five years and has been living for a decade in Varanasi, the holy city of Hinduism, where he works for interreligious dialogue. He is the author of several books including A Priest in Banaras (2020), Indian Portraits (2021), Pathways of Prayers (2024), The Trinitarian Philosophy of Jules Monchanin (2026), and The Trinitarian Mysticism of Jules Monchanin (2026) Francis X. Clooney, SJ, is the Parkman Professor of Divinity and Professor of Comparative Theology at the Harvard Divinity School. Previously he taught for many years at Boston College, and also taught at John Carroll University, the University of Oxford, and other universities. He is well known for his ability to connect Hindu and Christian spiritualities in a way that honors the wisdom and distinctiveness of both. His most recent book is 'Divine Mother', 'Blessed Mother: Hindu Goddesses and the Blessed Virgin Mary'.