Personal Reflections on a Recent Experience of Interreligious Dialogue with Buddhist Monasticism in Thailand
My experience in Thailand, from November 26 to December 10, 2024, was a significant chapter in my spiritual journey as a Christian Benedictine monk.
During those two weeks, many themes emerged that enriched my heart and mind. What I valued above all, however, was the opportunity to experience a dialogue that was not limited to the theoretical or philosophical dimension but became a living, concrete experience of the encounter between different spiritual traditions.
From my very first encounter with Buddhist monasticism, I was struck by the kindness and openness with which we were received. This was not just an encounter between religions but a real space of sharing, where our presence was not just tolerated but awaited and experienced as an opportunity for mutual exchange. I found myself in an environment where the encounter between different traditions was not regarded in terms of difference or conflict but as a common search for virtue and truth. The generosity with which we were welcomed made us feel part of a deeper dialogue that transcended differences to go to the heart of religious experience: the search for goodness, inner peace, and mutual understanding.
Wat Boromracha Kanchanaphisek, with its imposing architecture and serene atmosphere, gave me the impression of being a place of deep reflection and fraternal encounter. At a memorial service for the recently departed Cardinal Miguel Ángel Ayuso Guixot, prefect of the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue, I perceived a sense of deep respect for those who engage in dialogue between religions. This ceremony brought out the universal value of sharing, prayer, and meditation, which transcends the division between religious traditions. In particular, the offering of merit in honor of the deceased cardinal was a touching moment that caused me to reflect. The idea that merit can be offered to others, and that the good accomplished can be shared with the recipient, made me perceive an open rather than exclusivist spirituality, one that was eager to generate a flow of benevolence that crosses the barriers of individual religious traditions. This gesture made tangible the idea that religions, despite their diversity, can work together for the common good, not competing with one another but recognizing the legitimacy and beauty of each spiritual path.
During the retreat we made at Camp Son, my reflections were directed to the theme of meditation and to encounters with several young monks and practitioners who were also there on retreat.
The retreat helped me understand the deep spiritual meaning of the practice of meditation and the reason it is taken so seriously in the Buddhist tradition. Meditation is not just a technique for psychological well-being but a path of inner transformation that involves a serious commitment to the purification of the mind and detachment from desires. I have come to understand that in Buddhism meditation is not simply an individual practice but a means of developing wisdom, compassion, and mindfulness, which are fundamental for liberation from suffering and for collective well-being. This deepening has given a new spiritual dimension to my understanding of what it means to meditate, one that goes beyond mere practice but is intimately linked to the Buddhist view of reality.
I was particularly touched by the personal encounters I had with young practitioners.
I was quite surprised by a young Chinese practitioner who approached me to share a profound reflection: “There are no contradictions between what we practice here and your beliefs,” he told me. This encounter made me reflect on the possibility of a dialogue that is not limited to finding similarities but that values diversity, recognizing it as a source of mutual enrichment.
Several young monks approached me, seeking to learn more about Christianity and Jesus. I was especially struck by the comment of a young qigong master that encapsulated all the beauty of this dialogue. “Religions are like schools,” he said. “Every religion is a school where we learn virtues and goodness.” He told me that although he was a practicing Buddhist, he also attended a Catholic church in his city, feeling that both spiritual practices enriched him. His openness made me think about the possibility of integrating spiritual experiences rather than regarding religions as separate worlds. This encounter reinforced in me the belief that dialogue between traditions can be a way to grow together, opening up to the strengths that each religion can offer.
Another young practitioner then said something that struck home. “I think the essence of religions lies not so much in their differences but in their desire to practice the good.” I believe it is precisely this desire for good that can unite us beyond our religious affiliations and create bridges of solidarity and mutual understanding.
Finally, another significant encounter was with a young Burmese monk who asked me to clarify the relationship between ontology and Christianity. He told me that philosophical categories, particularly the Platonic ones, made it difficult for him to understand the Christian message. His intellectual curiosity led me to reflect on how, even in a philosophical dialogue, obstacles can emerge that do not concern the spiritual truth of a religion but the philosophical language that each tradition uses to express it. These exchanges made me realize how important it is not only to have a dialogue between beliefs but also to be willing to confront the philosophical foundations that support them.
In conclusion, this experience of interfaith dialogue was a unique opportunity for me to grow spiritually and personally. I have learned to see differences as an opportunity for enrichment and to understand Buddhist spirituality as a way of seeking goodness, peace, and understanding, values that all religions share. The path we took together was only a first step, but a step that opened us to the possibility of continuing our dialogue with Buddhism and other religious traditions with an attitude of listening, respect, and mutual growth.
I hope my experience can develop into a future in which interreligious dialogue is not just regarded as a time to discuss doctrinal differences but a daily practice that enriches our religious communities and becomes a seed of peace, understanding, and goodwill for the whole world.
Translated by William Skudlarek
