The Sentinel=record., 1914-08-30
BUDDA PRIESTS GOT
ABOUT 100000
JAPAN is SHOOK WITH THE Rlc.
GEsT SCANDAL OF ALL IT'S
HISTORY OF CENTURIES
Count Otani Leaves Japan to Take
Up Farmer Life in Chill, After His
Scheme Of Religious Extension Hss
Failed.

Toxic, Aug. 29.-lndictmants which
have been returned against five R,a.
dhst priests charging them with tba
embeazlement of approximately 81.
100000 together with the allegations
that the corruption has extended ia
some prominent officials attached to
the Imperial Palace at Toxic. ana
the resignation of the distinguished
abbot, Count Otani, of the Western
Honganji sect, because Of the scandal.
and his announced intention of miera.
ton to Chile to begin life anew as a
farmer have constituted a sensation
for all Japan.
Count Otani's case is Of absorbing
interest. The Western Honganii sect
founded 700 years ago, has been one
OF the richest Buddha associations I'm
Japan. Today it has debt of some
s5O00,O00. The sect has beautiful
temple at Kioto. and its reader. Count
0tani. had over million followers
throughout the Empire He was one
of the most picturesque and com.
handing figures in Japan, although
only 80 years of age.
His great idea was to make Buddha.
ism OF the East as strong force in
the world as the Christianity of the
West. He had travelled much abroad.
He went through China, studied BUD.
dhism in India, made investigations IN
England, sent favorite priests on long
journeys to all parts OF the word
equipped an exploration to Central
Asia started a religious propaganda
on a large scale for the diffusion u
Buddhism and kept in touch with the
world problems To an exceptional de-
gree. lie spent much time and money
in establishing Buddhist schools in
which his priests were educated,
bought and sold iand harbored an am
bition TO become a member OF the
House of Peers, and built a mignili-
cent palace on top of Rokkosan, a
mountain near Kobe.
He saw that Christianity as he put
1t. was like a strong chain that Joined
the countries of Europe together. lie
predicted time when there might he
great clash between Oriental Bud
dhism and Occidental Christianity,
and wondered whether Buddhism
would be strong enough to hold to-
gether the yellow race.
His ambition was to strengthen
Buddhism so that when the great com.
bat came the religion of the East
would predominant.
In Japan Buddhism found its great
est strength, he beiievtd. Returning
to Japan he began a vigorous cam
paign. He preached his doctrines aad
his ideas. lie told the young men
that they should go abroad as mission
aries, especially TO the uncultured
parts of the world for the diffusion q;
Buddhism. His students began to
dream of adventures in far distant
lands. Some went to Australia and
others to the Pacific coast OF South
America
Then he conceived gigantic
scheme to explore Central Asia. He
was convinced that Buddhist party
would be able to make discoveries
that would strengthen the Gains Of
Buddhism upon the world. Older
priests pleaded with the abbot not to|
launch such an expensive venture, bal
the Count insisted and sent boy o.
Is, son of a Nagoya priest as the
leader of the expedition. The under
taking cost thousands of dollars. Its
results were doubtful as concerning
science, say the Counts critics
Count Otani meanwhile lived in al
most regal style in his wonderful VII
|" at Rokkosan. His mansion was
rich in carvings and paintings aad
rare objects OF art. There were gar
dens, dormtories, schools and All
That goes to make MP a little kingdom
OF itself. looking down upon the mar
nor Of Kobe and the Bay OF OSAKA
The dormatories were modelled AFTER
nose the Count had seen at Etoh'
Clothing, furnishings and food were
luxurious. When the old priests VINO
slowly climbed the mountain, comlhS
from the temple at kioto, remoHslfat- |
ea with him for extrayagances he to'u
hem not to worry as he was seen
hg the great interests of Buddhism
Not one of the abbot's present cru
les accuse him of vanity or personal
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