Do monks study other religions too?

① I think it depends on the monk, but I don't study in depth because I know a little bit about other religions at seminars, books, the internet, etc.
② I think there are important teachings in other religions that I don't know, so I won't deny it.

Good evening. My name is Kameyama Junshi.

➀ “Do monks study other religions other than Buddhism?” regarding
As a monk, you probably don't have to know about other religions. However, if you know about other religions, I think you can think more deeply about the teachings of Buddhism, etc. My personal opinion is that it is very important to learn what religion is in the first place rather than other religions. (This also has a lot to do with the next ②.)

② “What do you think about other religions? About”
Basically, I respect other religions as well. (“Basically,” because some religions have radical ideas.) I personally see religion as something that defines a person's way of life through something absolute (God or Buddha). In other words, religion includes the value “how we should live.” Therefore, there are many religions in the world. Also, since values are included, discussions about which religious doctrine is objectively true are basically untenable. For example, there are actually various teachings about the world after death depending on religion. However, this does not objectively mean which religion's afterlife is real. Christianity has a Christian worldview, Islam has an Islamic worldview, and Buddhism can have a Buddhist worldview.

These are the answers I have in mind.

　I have been given the role of a prison teacher and I am helping inmates with corrections. The teachings themselves for inmates are carried out by religious figures based on the teachings and rituals of their respective religious denominations. At the same time, in carrying out religious activities, each religious denomination conducts the operation of the “Teachers Association” while discussing and cooperating. I have the opportunity to talk with monks, priests, priests, pastors, and tenrikyo branch presidents from other denominations. I don't listen to lectures or lectures in particular, but I can feel that each teacher works with deep faith and pride in the teachings and rituals of their respective denominations. There are times when I read the answers of monks from other sects in this hasunoha, and I feel differences in doctrines, etc. There are times when I feel uncomfortable. Similarly, it's not uncommon to feel differences in various aspects when talking with teachers from other denominations.
I'm proud of my denomination, but I think it is necessary to have an attitude of respecting other denominations and having them learn about other denominations. Misuzu Kaneko's poem says “Everyone is different and everyone is good,” but I think it's important to respect each other and learn from each other.

Also, I took clinical religious teacher training at Tohoku University and am currently a member of the Japan Association of Clinical Religious Teachers. “Cooperation between religious figures” is a major pillar of clinical religious teachers' activities. I think it's important to study other religious denominations in depth, even in the sense of confirming one's position. It's difficult to take time just to learn the doctrines of other religious denominations professionally. I am learning little by little through interaction with other religious figures.

When I was a student, I was in the Faculty of Buddhism, and I studied religious studies hard, especially in the fields of religious folklore and religious history. I think folklore and religious history are necessary learning in order to understand current funerals, annual events, syncretism of Shinto and Buddhism, and the origins of sectarian religion in Japan.

Thanks to your questions, I was able to read the thoughts of other monks, and it became a learning experience. Thank you very much. By the way, the following are my thoughts.
About ①... I read a lot of books about Christianity, Islam, etc. I don't really understand it technically, but other religions also “explain” suffering, poverty, happiness, etc. by saying “about humans.” It's helpful in many ways.
About ②... There are people in other religions who believe in and cherish it. I think they should be respected and respected.
Incidentally, with regard to Buddhism (a religion founded by Buddha...), there is such a senryu. ❝ A sectarian argument is something called Buddha's shame no matter which one loses ❞ (sectarian argument is arguing that “one's denomination is superior” and arguing). This senryu is pretty amazing... (laughs).
I think you'll learn a lot from now on, but please develop an attitude of listening carefully to what the other person is saying, no matter what, not limited to religion. Gassho

I read your question.
As for the answer to ①, I think it is necessary to study other religions as well.
Do you know a religious person named Daisetsu Suzuki?
We are insanely famous people in the Zen world, and when we were young, we published a book introducing the characteristics of Mahayana Buddhism to Westerners.
However, a world-wide religious figure at the time said, “It's completely different just because you arbitrarily think it's Mahayana Buddhism. Rather, it is an idea close to Hinduism.” It was pointed out, and it was criticized quite badly.
Since then, Daisetsu Suzuki also continued to refuse to resell that book, so it was probably black history for him as well.
In the end, my own answers took precedence, and I think I studied to flesh them out.
If I had properly compared it with other religions, the content would have been a little different.

Of course, even if I only study Buddhism, I don't understand the characteristics of Buddhism.
By comparing it with others, the characteristics of Buddhism come to light.
To that end, I think I must first thoroughly study Buddhism.
Otherwise, it would get mixed up with other religions.

The answer to ② also respects the ideas of other religions.
For example, it's common for my friends to like red even though I like purple.
Just say, “You're wrong!” It's not like that.
“Wow, that's right. Red is good too, isn't it?” I think so.
However, I still like the color purple.