ABSTRACT
It is a way of thinking that ultimately sees in dual belonging a dual attachment, which like all attachments must ultimately be given up. While this way of thinking is clearly not the only response to issues of religious diversity found in the Buddhist tradition, it does seem a significant and important one. A well-known story found in the earliest stratum of Buddhist literature tells of the Jain lay follower UPali's conversion to Buddhism. That genuine faith is understood in the earliest stratum of Buddhist literature as a characteristically Buddhist virtue might be inferred by the way it is described as having as its object the Buddha and his enlightenment. According to the general Abhidharma approach to the Buddhist ethic of intention, good acts of body, speech and mind are acts done precisely when in a skilful state of mind; it is not possible to perform a good act when in an unskilful state of mind.
