Includes a new modern translation of Saint Benedict's Rule

Saint Benedict's Rule is a set of guidelines that has governed Christian monastic life since the sixth century. The Rule has fascinated lay people and monastics alike, including Buddhist monks and nuns who are intrigued by the similarities between their traditions and those of their Christian counterparts. Now, through personal anecdotes and thoughtful comparison, four prominent Buddhist scholars reveal how the wisdom of each tradition can revitalize the other. Their insights will appeal not only to Buddhists and Christians, but to anyone interested in the ancient discipline of monasticism and what it might have to offer a materially glutted and spiritually famished culture.

Benedict's Dharma, Edited by Patrick Henry, Riverhead Books, Paperback, 223 pages, $17.00

Patrick Henry was professor of religion at Swarthmore College from 1967 to 1984 and executive director of the Collegeville Institute for Ecumenical and Cultural Research from 1984 to 2004. In retirement he is a columnist for the St. Cloud Times. Among his books are New Directions in New Testament Study; For the Sake of the World: The Spirit of Buddhist and Christian Monasticism (with Donald Swearer); Benedict�s Dharma: Buddhists Reflect on the Rule of Saint Benedict (editor); and Flashes of Grace: 33 Encounters with God.