Holding contradictory beliefs is difficult to do. It is hard to get rid of one's ideas of one's religion. Many people of other religions would like to benefit from Buddhadharma. They are intrigued by the philosophy, but they interpret it in terms of their own beliefs. They try Buddhist meditation in order to reach higher levels of their own religions, to experience their God. Buddhist methods can be used for these purposes. It can be said, also, that people who have reached higher levels of their religions have had enlightenment experiences, but they are not true Buddhist enlightenment experiences. They have not left all conceptualization behind. They have not left behind their beliefs. They have not let go of their selves. People who hear this may interpret it as though Buddhists feel their beliefs are superior to other beliefs, that their levels of enlightenment are above all other types of enlightenment. This is also not true. It is the manner in which Buddhists describe their experiences. Other religions have their points of view. To speak of higher and lower or better and worse is irrelevant, non-productive, even dangerous.

STUDENT:

Earlier you spoke concerning whether other religious figures, such as Jesus Christ, are bodhisattvas. Can you elaborate?

SHIH-FU:

Religions generally have three basic elements: someone who started the religion, the teachings of the religion, and ritual. In the case of Christianity, I do not want to say that its originator, Jesus, was a bodhisattva, nor do I want to oppose that view. By his teachings alone you or I cannot determine whether Jesus was a bodhisattva. Only bodhisattvas would be able to tell if Jesus was a bodhisattva, since they would be able to see his Dharma body. Since I cannot do this, I do not want to take a definite position for or against this view. Really, the issue is irrelevant, unimportant. What is important are the teachings, and the example of the founder's life. That is what people should be concerned with.

STUDENT:

Personal question. We were raised as Catholics. When our child is born, our parents expect that we will have the baby baptized. We, however, do not follow that religion, so we'd rather not have this ritual performed. To do it would be hypocritical, we feel. We'd rather not make a mockery of the Catholic Church, which we still respect. What are your thoughts concerning this?

SHIH-FU: