Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1914-08-31
Great Scandal
Shakes Faith of
Jap Buddhists

Toxin. Aug 5n.-IndlctmtntH when
have been returned charSing nNe
Buddhist priests with the emhezzie-
mcnt Of approximately <f.veV.ooo. to-
eether with allegations that the cor
runtion has extended 10 some promi-
nent officials attached TO the imperial
palace in Toxic. and the resignation
Of the distinguished abbot, Count
otani 81 the Western Honganii sect.
because Of the scandal, and his an
|uounced Intention OF migration 10
Chile 10 begin life anew as farmer.
have constituted a sensation for all
Japan.
Count Omngs case ls of absorbing
Interest. The Western Honganji sect
founded. 700 years ago, has been one
n the richest Buddhist associations
in japan. To-day il has debt Of some
$4,000 .ooo. The sect has beautiful
temple at Kioto, and its leader. Count
Otani had over million followers
Throughout the empire. He Was one
81 the most picturesque and COM
handing figures In Japan, although
only 80 years Of age.
His great idea was 10 make Budd-
hism Of the east as strong force in
the world as the Christianity Of the
west. He had travelled much abroad.
lie went through China. studied
Buddhism In India, made investlga-
lions in England. sent favorite priests
on long Journeys 20 all parts OF the
world. equipped an exploration To-
central Asia. started religious pro-
paganda on a large scale for the diff
fusion Of Buddhism and kept in touch
with the world problems to an excep-
tlonal degree. lie spent much time
and money in establishing Buddhist
schools in which his priests were ed
ucated, bought and sold land. har-
bored an ambition 10 become a mem
Der Of the house Of peers. and built a
magnificent palace on the top Of kok-
kosan. q mountain near Kobe.
He saw that Christianity. as he
put II. was like a strong chain that
Joined the countries OF Europe to-
gether He predicted "A time when
there might be a great clash between
Oriental Buddhism and Occidental
Christianity. and wondered whether
Buddhism would be strong enough 10
hold together the yellow race.
His ambition was 20 strengthen
Buddhism so that when the great
combat came the religion Of the east
would predominant.
In Japan Buddhism found its
greatest strength, he believed. Re
turning TO Japan he began vigor-
Gus campaign. He preached his doc
trines and his IDEAS He told the
young men that they should 80 abroad
as missionaries, specially to the I'M
cultured parts of the world for the
diffusion Of Buddhism. His students
began 10 dream Of adventures In far
distant lands. Some went to Australia
and others 10 the Pacific coast OF
South America.
Then he conceived gigantic
scheme to explore Central Asia. He
was convinced that "A Buddhist party
would be able to make discoveries
that would strengthen the claims
Of Buddhism upon the world Older
priests pleaded with the abbot not
to launch such an expensive project
but the count insisted and sent a
boy of rs, son Of a Nagaya priest, as
the leader Of the expedition. The I'M
dertaking cost thousands OF dollars
Its results were doubtful as concern
ing science. say the counts critics.
Count Otani meanwhile lived in
almost regal style in his wonderful
villa at Rokkosan. His mansion was
rich in carvings and paintings and
rare objects Of art There we're gard
ems. dormitories, schools and all that
goes to make up a little kingdom Of
itself. looking down upon the har-
Dor of Kobe and the bay OF osaka.
The dormitories were modelled after
those the abbot had seen az Elton.
Clothing, furnishings and food were
luxurious When the old priests who
slowly climbed the mountain. COM
ing from the temple at Kioto, remon
s'trated with him for extravaganza
he told them not to worry as he was
seeking the great interests of Budd-
hism.
Not one Of the abbot's present crit
les accuses him of vanity or personal
ACKNOWLEDGMENT. He was sincere. they
say, in his big enterprises which in