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EDWARD MCCORKELL
L.M.: One of the figures there is Ananda, a chief disciple of the Buddha.
E.M.: Merton experienced at that moment a special grace. He recognized that the same Holy Spirit of truth and love is guiding and directing the Buddhist, and the Hindu, and the Muslim-as we Christians are, through Jesus. We don't have a monopoly on the Holy Spirit. The common denominator in the world religions is the Holy Spirit.
L.M.: It's not just Catholic, it is universal.
E.M.: No, it's not just Catholic or Christian.
L.M.: Is it important to cultivate personal friendships with people of other religions?
E.M.: Yes, there is a meeting of hearts. There may not quite be a meeting of minds—since there are different philosophies and ways of expressing them.
L.M.: The religions have their own very different theological underpin
nings.
E.M.: But there is a meeting on a deeper level.
L.M.: Do you find this dialogue between East and West encourages more understanding, and less of a “I'm right, you don't have the truth” approach?
E.M.: That's right. As time goes by and we meet together, we pray together for half an hour in silent prayer.
L.M.: Christians together with Buddhists, Hindus.
E.M.: You become conscious, you become very much aware, that we're all in this together. That the same Holy Spirit of truth and love is in my Hindu brother, and in my Buddhist brother with me. The Holy Spirit is not confined to the Christian way. We feel that it is the way for us, since God has become incarnate in Jesus Christ. At the same time, God is incarnate in these other religions. And in some of their leaders, such as Buddha.
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