Beyond Othering: Buddhist and Christian Relational Perspective in Dialogue
Presented by Philip Bewley
16 July 2025
1-2pm (AEST)
This event will be held online via zoom. A zoom link will be sent the day prior and the day of the event
This conversation looks at Thich Nhat Hanh’s idea of interbeing, which teaches that everything is connected, and nothing exists on its own. It compares this idea with a similar way of thinking from the Christian tradition. Together, these views show how understanding our deep connection with others can lead to more compassionate actions, help us overcome division, and encourage a more welcoming and inclusive way of living.
About the Presenter:
Philip Bewley is an alumnus of Nan Tien Institute and a doctoral candidate at the Catholic Theological College, University of Divinity (Melbourne), where he researches comparative theology at the intersection of Buddhist-Christian dialogue. With a longstanding interest in interfaith engagement, his academic work bridges traditions—from his MA at the University of Wollongong (examining the Dutch Catholic Church’s progressive pastoral care of LGBTQIA+ individuals in the 1960s) to his current project comparing the relational ontologies of Orthodox theologian John Zizioulas and Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh. His research highlights how both thinkers challenge notions of ‘othering’ and ‘otherness,’ offering transformative frameworks for identity, belonging, and embodied praxis.
NTI conversations are free; however, registration is essential. Register here
