The professional pervert trend has definitely gone too far this time. A 37-year old Buddhist priest was arrested today for paying two junior high school girls for sex in Niigata. Ok, first of all. You are a Buddhist priest. Not cool that you're having sex at all, never mind violating child pornography and prostitution laws.
A few years ago, I took part in a guided meditation class at a Soto Zen temple in Nishi Azabu. As I was quietly walking from the main hall of the temple to the chanting meditation room, I struck up a conversation with one of the monks. He said he was interested in learning English, and slipped me a piece of paper with his phone number and e-mail address. "Don't show anyone," he said. "We're not supposed to have cell phones in the temple." I never called him, but I just remember that his email address was strawberrycheesecake@xxxx.co.jp. And I wondered if it was okay that he was picking up on his students.
The Buddhist priest molestation trend spans all ages. Back in March, a 73-year old priest, who was also a respected teacher at the temple's nursery school, was arrested for picking up a child prostitute. This man in the photo is NOT a child molester, at least I don't think so, but I post his image here simply as a warning: do not be fooled by compassionate smiles and holy garb. Exercise caution.
man..
Posted by: Alyssa | October 05, 2006 at 06:51 PM
JFTR, I believe Buddhist Priests can marry no problems, and aren't hung up on celibacy at all. Lord knows Japanese Buddhism isn't about denying yourself anything or going without, since these guys invariably drive the most extravagant Mercedes money can buy.As an aside, I happened across an article about a woman who had had an affair with a Catholic priest, which for some reason I couldn't stop reading, it was so well written. Here's the link:http://www.somareview.com/confessionsofamadonna.cfm
Posted by: Peter in Japan | October 05, 2006 at 08:22 PM
Interesting story this woman tells! Thanks for the info.
Posted by: Lisa Katayama | October 05, 2006 at 08:38 PM
Amaenaidayo!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Anonymous | October 07, 2006 at 01:10 PM