(RNS1-DEC06) Jewish singer/songwriter Debbie Friedman has been composing Jewish worship
music for 35 years. See RNS-10-MINUTES, transmitted Dec. 6, 2006. Religion News Service
photo courtesy Goldenland Concerts.

(RNS) Fox News commentator Brit Hume has created quite a stir by insisting that Tiger Woods convert to Christianity if the famous golfer wants to “make a total recovery” from widespread allegations of marital infidelity.

Speaking of Buddhism, which Woods is said to practice, Hume said: “I don’t think that faith offers the kind of forgiveness and redemption that is offered by the Christian faith.”

Religion News Service turned to Robert Thurman, a professor of Indo-Tibetan Buddhist studies at Columbia University, friend of the Dalai Lama, and one of the country’s foremost experts on Buddhism, to check out Hume’s claims. This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

Q: Was Hume correct that Christianity and Buddhism do not offer the same kinds of redemption and forgiveness?

A: I don’t agree with that. Not only is his idea of Buddhism wrong, but his idea of Christianity is wrong. The implication that unethical behavior such as Tiger Woods committed will be forgiven just by turning to Christ is a misrepresentation of Christianity. It’s undervaluing the Christian emphasis on ethical behavior. It’s like the Muslims who think they can blow people up and go to heaven just because they were shouting “Allahu Akbar” when they died. It’s the wrong idea that you just have to believe, not behave.

Q: Is there such a thing as “sin” in Buddhism?

A: Sin and virtue are absolutely part of Buddhism. There are 10 major ethical laws in all major forms of Buddhism, including not committing sexual misconduct, mainly adultery. It is a sin when you break those laws. Buddhism also has hells that people get into by sinning badly.

Q: Do some Buddhists believe in a redemptive figure comparable to Jesus?

A: Avalokiteshvara is considered to be the bodhisattva of compassion, an incarnation of the compassion of all buddhas. He is definitely an intercessor and a savior figure in the Mahayana Buddhist culture (predominant in Tibet and East Asia). His job is to try to redeem and save all sinning human figures. But he can’t completely help you; you have to help yourself, too.

Q: How does Avalokiteshvara’s redemption work?

A: Well, if people don’t do something to change their actions — to do good, or undo evil that they have done — no one can save them. If some all-powerful being could allow everybody to enter heaven when they shout the right slogan, everyone would be saved already. None of the world religions promise unconditional forgiveness and repentance.

Q: How does karma fit into redemption for bad behavior?

A: Karma is simply the law of cause and effect. Bad actions bring bad effects.

Q: What should a Buddhist do to be redeemed?

A: He should try to erase bad karma and make up for harm caused to others by doing good deeds and learning to act correctly. It’s really important to know that someone can completely change. Buddhism has a saying: It’s like the moon coming out of the clouds when one resolves to be ethical.

Q: How does someone like Tiger Woods make a “total recovery” in Buddhism?

A: Not that anyone needs my advice, but if there was any person whose forgiveness he really needs, it’s his wife. He needs to make a vow to really keep his marital vows and be honest and trustworthy. He has to be humble. His actions have also been harmful to all the mistresses and put them in the glare of unwanted publicity. And he should try not to repeat his actions.

Q: Some Buddhists were offended by Hume’s comments. Were you?

A: Hume is slapping someone who is down by picking on Tiger Woods, who I don’t even know if he is a Buddhist. He is just pandering to the Fox News fundamentalist audience by acting as if Jesus can make everything fine. I think Hume and his colleagues need to commit a little time to interfaith study.

Q: Would you be willing to teach them?

A: Yes, but if (Fox News President) Roger Ailes comes, he has to pay extra. He has to pay Columbia a lot of money.