Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1919-06-07
BUDDHIST PRIEST
SHORT 100000
japanese Embezzlement Scandal
Reaches Clear to Imperial
Court.
5 CHURCH LEADERS INDICTED
Court, at Head OF Sect, Sacrifices
Home and Possessions in Ef-
fort TO Lift Debt


proximately $4,000 900, together with
allegations that the corruption has eX-
tended to some prominent officials at
tached TO III, Imperial Palace in Toxic,
and the resignation of the distinguish
ed abbot. Count Otani, of the Western
Honganji sect. because of the scandal,
and his announced intention of migra-
ton TO Chile to begin life anew as
farmer. have constituted sensation
for all Japan.
Count Ortanis case is of absorbing
interest The Western HonEanji sect,
founded 700 years ago, has been one of
the richest Buddhist associations in
Japan. To-day 1t has debt of $4,000,
600 The sect has a beautiful temple
AT kioto, and its leader, Count Olani,
had over a million followers through
out the Empire He was one of the
most picturesque and cOmmanding fiS.
ures In Japan, although 80 years OF
age.
His great idea was to make Buddh-
ism of the East as strong a force in
the world as the Christianity OK the
West He had travelled much abroad
He went through China. studied Bud
dhism in India, made investigations III
England, sent fayorite priests on
long Journeys to all parts of the world
equipped an exploration to Central
Asia, started a religious propaganda
on a large scale for touch with the
i ~ ,,n1 Il
gree He spent much time and money
in establishing Buddhict schools. in
which his priests were educated,
bought and sold land, harbored an am
bition to become a member of the
House of Peers. and built a magnif-
cent palace on the top Of Rokkosan,
mountain near Kobe.
He saw that Christianity, as he put
IT, was like the strong chain that join.
ed the countries of Europe together.
He predicted a time when there might
be a great clash between Oriental Bud
dhism and Occidental Christianity, and
wondered whether Buddhism would be
strong enough to hold together the
yellow race,
His ambition was TO strengthen
Buddhism 50 that when the great com.
bat came the religion of the East
would predominant.
In japan Buddhism found its great
est strength, he believed. Returning
to Japan he began vigorous cam
paign. He preached his doctrines and
his ideas He told the young men
that they should 90 abroad as mission
aries, specially TO the unCultured parts
of the world, for the diffusion of Bud
dhism. 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 con
WINGED that Buddhist party would be
able to make discoveries that would
strengthen the claims of Buddhism up
on the world Older priests pleaded
with the Abbot not to launch such an
expensive project, but the Count insist
ed and sent a boy OF Is, son of Ma
goya priest as the leader of the eXpe-
dition. The undertaking cost thou
sands of dollars Its results were
doubtful as concerning science, say the
Courts critics.
Count Otani meanwhile lived in al
most regal style in his wonderful villa
at Rokkosan His mansion was rich in
carvings and paintings and rare OBJ
tects OF art. Here We're gardens, dor
mitories, schools and all that goes to
make up a little kingdom of itselft
looking down upon the harbor of Kobe
and the bay of Osaka. The dOrmitor-
les were modelled after those the Alb
bot had seen at Atom. Clothing, fur
nishings and food were luxurious.
When the old priests who slowly
climbed the mountains, coming from
the temple at Kioto, demonstrated with
him for extravaganza, he told them
not to worry as he was seeking. the
great interests of Buddhism.
Not one of the Abbot's present crit
les accuse him of vanity or personal
ACKNOWLEDGMENT. He was sincere, they
say. in his big enterprises, which in
cluded speculations in land He was
influential and well liked by his
priests. But debts began to accumu-
late and the sect, with its 10000 priests
and 10000 temples, began to face fl
nancial troubles The superb art
treasures of the Kioto temple had to
be sold Then finally came the arrest
of the priests on charges of embez-
element
The five priests who under indict-
lnent were members OF the Board OF
Directors managing the extensive prop
critics of the sect The charges in
clude allegations that there was pay
ment and acceptance of intellect COM
missioned in the transfer OF property
from the sect to the imperial house.
Count Otani forthwith resigned his
leadership and appointed his Agar
old son as his successor. He auction
ed off the furnishings of his beaut-
full villa at Rokkosan and announced
his intention of going to Chile to be-
gin life anew as farmer.