Amarillo daily news. [volume] (Amarillo, Tex.) 19??-current, 1914-08-30
BUDDHIST PRIESTS
IN TOLLS Of LAW
INDICTMENTS RETURNED &C
CusING THEM WITH EM.
BEZZLING MILLIONS.
BY Associated Pres

which have been returned charging
five Buddhist priests with the embez-
element of approximately $1,000
600. together with allegations that
the corruption has extended 10 some
prominent officials attached to the
Imperial Palace In Toxic, and the
resignation OF the distinguished alb
bot. Count Otani. of the Western
Iouganii sect. because of the scan
dal. and his announced Intention of
migrating 10 chile 10 begin lite anew
AS farmer have constituted sen
5aiion for all Japan.
Count Otani's cause Is of absorb
inc interest The Western Hong
anil sect founded zoo years ago,
has been one OF the richest Buddhist
associations IN Japan To-day It has
a debt Of some $1,000. 600. The sect
has a beautiful temple at kioto, and
us leader. Count Otani had over
million followers thrOuGhout the
Empire Tie was one OF the most
picturesque and commanding hg-
ures in Japan, although only 30
years OF age
hism OF the East as strong a force
IN the world as the Christianity OF
the West He had travelled much
abroad He went through China,
studied Buddhism In India, made in
vestigations In England, sent favor
tie priests on long Journeys 10 all
parts of the world, equipped an eX-
ploration To Central Asia. started
1 religious propaganda on large
scale for the diffusion of Buddhism
aud kept In touch with the world
problems to an exceptional degree
/ lie spent much time and money IN
/ establishing Buddhist schools ip
which his priests were educated,
/ bouLht aud sold land, harborcd an
/ ambition to become member oi
/ the House of Peers, and built q mag
/ nificent palace on the top of ROk
kosan. a mountain near Kobe.
lie saw that Christianity as he
put n. was like strong chain that
Joined the countries of Europe to-
gether He predicted time when
there might be great clash be
tween Oriental Buddhism and Occi-
dental Christianity, and wondered
whether Buddhism would be strong
enough 10 hold together the yellow
\ race
Ills ambition was 10 strengthen
\ Buddhism so that when the great
combat came the religion of the
East would predominant
I'm Japan Buddhism found Us
greatest strength. he declared Re
turning TO Japan he bugun 2 Wig
orous campaign He preached his
doctrines and his ideas lie told
the young men that they should go
abroad as missionaries. especially To
the uncultured parts of the world
Tor the diffusion ~ Buddhism tits
students began TO dream of advon-
lures In far distant lands Some
went 10 Australia and others 10 the
Pacific coast OF South America.
Then he conceived gigantic
scheme 10 explore Central Asin. lie
was convinced that a Buddhist par.
Is would be- able To make disco'
cries that would strengthen the
claims OF Buddhism upon the world
Older priests pleaded With the ah-
bot not 10 launch such an expensive
project. but the Count insisted and
sent boy OF IS. son of NagOya
priest. as the leader of the eXpedi-
ton The undertaking cost thous
ands of dollars lts results were
doubtful as concerning science. say
the Counts critics
Count Otani meanwhile lived bon
almost regal style in his wonderful
villa al Rokkosan His mansion was
rich IN carvings and paintings and
rare objects of art There were
gardens dormitories. schools and all
that goes 10 make up a little king
dom of itself. looking down upon
the harbor OF Kobe and the Bay o.
Osaka The dormitories were mod
cled after those the abbot had seen
al Elton Clothing furnishings and
food we're luxurious. When the
old priests who slowly climbed tho
mountain. coming from the temple
al KiOto demonstrated with him for
extravagauces De- told them not "a
worry as he was seeking the great
Interests OF buddhism
Noi one of the abbots present
critic. accuse him OF vanity or per.
soual agfraudisemeut re was sin
cerc. they ay in hi. big enterprises
which iucmed speculation in land
he was Influential and well liked
by his priests But debts began q
accumulate and the sect with W.
30. 1000 priests and 10000 temple
! began 10 face financial troubles The
superb art treasures of the kioi'
temple had ~ be- sold Then nnall'
came the arrest of the priests OF
charges ri embozzlement
The five priests who are unde
] indictment we're members OF th
| board OF directors managing the OK
tousiyo properties of the sect Th
charges include allegations ina
there was payment and aCccptanc
of Illicit commissions IN tho transie
of property from the sect 10 the I'm
perial House
| Count Otani forthwith resigne
his leadership and appointed his Z
i ycar-old son A. his successor. "
L aucti0uod of tho Furnishings Of hi
beautiful villa 90 Rokkosan and am
nounccd his intention Of going 2
Chile 10 begin life anew as Ear
mer
rIrh .rd poor.