[BrianGoldsmith]

Just would like to clarify the second paragraph, it says - The ninth-century Buddhist Master Lin Chi is supposed to have said, “If you meet the Buddha on the road, kill him.”

The road does not mean the actual road or street in our cities or towns.
This road means the road of practice.
During our practice, if we meet the Buddha, kill him.

This is very advanced level teaching. It is about the last stage of practice, i.e. should be at Anagami level.
So, for us now, please do not try to kill the Buddha.
At our level, we need to attach with the Buddha and follow his teachings.

At Anagami level, he will not have carvings by materials (Rupa).
He will be very happy in mind, and therefore has last attachment in mind.
Some would feel that they see/reach the Buddha and truly become one with Buddha.

How to kill the Buddha?
To kill the Buddha means to "drop" the Buddha.
If the Anagami can drop the Buddha and attachment in mind,
then he will achieve enlightenment, and really become one with the Buddha.
If the Anagami still has attachment in Buddha or mind, he does not achieve the enlightenment.

In other words, as long as the Anagami has attachment in the Buddha, he does not become one with the Buddha. But once he drops attachment in the Buddha, he really becomes one with the Buddha.

It does not matter whether Buddhism is deemed a religious or not.
Practitioners do not mind whether other people may call Buddhism as religious, philosophy or science etc. It does matter whether we can study, understand and practice the Buddha's teachings and consequently end our sufferings.