R.C. Zaehner and the sacred book》.pdf

12, Religion (1982) 215-231 R. C . ZAEHNER AND THE SACRED BOOK Gwilym Beckerlegge ZAEHNER AND HIS CRITICS `Yet why the religions differ one from another in their essentials is a baffling question which those who seek to explain religion . . . must feel obliged, but also hard put to it, to answer . Probably no recent scholar of comparative religion has felt the force of this `baffling question quite so keenly as the late Professor R. C. Zaehner . But, although Zaehners importance as a translator has been acknowledged, and his analysis of mystical experience has emerged as a standard point ofreference, 2 less attention has been given to Zaehners wider preoccupation with the difference between religions, a difference which he urged ` . . . demands an explanation that will make sense . 3 Zaehners attempt to offer such an explanation has provoked a critical response which has pointed at best to naivety and at worst to duplicity in this method. 4 These evaluations have stressed that where Zaehners reconstructions and interpretations are unacceptable, it is his theological presuppositions which are largely responsible. 5 This discussion of Zaehners explanation of the differences between religions gives particular attention to his attitudes to sacred books . These attitudes provide the basis for a more adequate understanding of his methods and interpretations than the broad accusation of personal dogmatism . Although Zaehners reliance upon sacred books has been noted by others and has been criticized as overly narrow and