Can a Monk use a Holy Symbol as their Ki Focus

Question

Can a Monk who has multi-classed with Cleric, via Initiate of the Faith, use a Holy Symbol as their Ki Focus? ... see the semi-related question at rpg

... my thinking here is* ... Whilst maybe they can use a Holy Symbol for their powers with the Implement key word, the section "Monks and Weapons" on p.64 of PHB3, refers specifically to Ki Focus, not a generic Implement

It also seems like the Ki Focus takes the same "slot" as the Holy Symbol, as it also provides the benefit even when wore, much like the Holy Symbol.

The glossary on Ki Focuses, PHB3 p.203 / [ddi] seems to indicate the Ki Focus is separate from a weapon.

If you have both a magic ki focus and a magic weapon, you choose before you use an attack power whether to draw on the magic of the ki focus or that of the weapon.

Items have two separate entries for Holy Symbol and Ki Focus...

• Holy Symbol ^[ddi]
• Ki Focus ^[ddi]

Answer 1

No

A Ki Focus is a category of implement, like Staff, Holy Symbol and Rod. This would be like asking if a Wizard who multiclassed Cleric could use a Holy Symbol as a Staff. They're just different things.

If you look on PHB3.p62 you'll see that the monk has "Ki focuses, weapons with which you are have proficiency" listed as the implements that they can use. The "Monks and Weapons" section is just an elaboration on this, explaining that you can use weapons as an implement, or use a ki focus. It also elaborates to say that if you use the magical properties of a Ki Focus you still get to apply weapon specific feats if you are involving a weapon.

So ultimately, if you multiclass Cleric, you can now use Ki Focus, Holy Symbols and weapons with which you are have proficiency as implements. If you use the magical properties of a holy symbol you monk attacks can still involve the use of a weapon, so you could still apply those same weapon specific feats.