on the parallels between Jesus and the Buddha as teachers.
As I said, he attempts to be approachable to the West going so far as to saying that Buddhism (Zen in particular) does not require one to leave aside 'god' or even Christianity in order to practice meditation, compassion, and equanimity.
Equally, he says those things are not required either. One can certainly be an atheist or agnostic on the question of 'god' and practice the teachings of the Buddha.
You might be better suited though to a different author. Check out Batchelor, D.T. Suzuki, Roshi Philip Kapleau, Tarthang Tulku, and the original Pali Canon English translations. There will be less cross pollination and more focus on the original teachings. I particularly like Tulku as his approach is decidedly western and he sees the teachings of the Buddha as being imminently practical if not pragmatic. He writes a lot on work, psychology, and the day to day practices of meditation. 
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