3 ms·

What is a Buddhist "priest"? It certainly isn't a Buddhist monk. While Buddhism may be a big part of his life, using some made up title like that seems like jus

by geomark 11y ago

What is a Buddhist "priest"? It certainly isn't a Buddhist monk. While Buddhism may be a big part of his life, using some made up title like that seems like just an attempt to make him seem somehow larger.

mbrock 11y ago
Japanese Buddhism has many "priests," who are noncelibate, typically married. They are trained in various rites and may officiate weddings and funerals and tend to temples. I don't know what this man does in his priestly capacities, but you don't seem to be very well informed about Japanese Buddhism. The translation "priest" is very common.
- geomark 11y ago
  I am not well informed about Japanese Buddhism. My knowledge of Buddhism comes from having been a monk myself, ordained in the Theravada tradition. I do know about these "priests" having wives. That means they are not monks since celibacy is one of the foremost precepts of Buddhism. Other aspects of being a "householder" also preclude Inamori from being a monk. Based on your description it seems like the priest title is imported from other religions.
  - mbrock 11y ago
    It's an imported title because it's a translation. I don't know the Japanese word. Yes, he is not a monk, and nobody has claimed that he is. I don't really understand your point in saying that his religious status is "made up" because he's not a celibate monastic.
    - geomark 11y ago
      My misunderstanding. It sounded to me like the story was trying to make him larger than life by throwing in the title of Buddhist priest. I wasn't aware of that title - I thought they were implying he is monk. That's what I was reacting to.
      - mbrock 11y ago
        I have friends/acquaintances who are "Buddhist priests" in Zen traditions outside of Japan. They are semi-householder-ish, definitely not monks. However, they dedicate their lives to Buddhist service. They don't have children, but some are married or in relationships, mostly together with other "serious practitioners." They very definitely are not billionaires or CEOs -- and I am a little surprised at this story, which could definitely be clearer about what his priesthood actually involves. Possibly interesting article by an American Zen priest: http://www.patheos.com/blogs/wildfoxzen/2010/08/what-the-heck-is-a-zen-priest.html http://www.patheos.com/blogs/wildfoxzen/2010/08/what-the-hec...

by geomark 11y ago

mbrock 11y ago

Japanese Buddhism has many "priests," who are noncelibate, typically married. They are trained in various rites and may officiate weddings and funerals and tend to temples. I don't know what this man does in his priestly capacities, but you don't seem to be very well informed about Japanese Buddhism. The translation "priest" is very common.

geomark 11y ago
I am not well informed about Japanese Buddhism. My knowledge of Buddhism comes from having been a monk myself, ordained in the Theravada tradition. I do know about these "priests" having wives. That means they are not monks since celibacy is one of the foremost precepts of Buddhism. Other aspects of being a "householder" also preclude Inamori from being a monk. Based on your description it seems like the priest title is imported from other religions.
- mbrock 11y ago
  It's an imported title because it's a translation. I don't know the Japanese word. Yes, he is not a monk, and nobody has claimed that he is. I don't really understand your point in saying that his religious status is "made up" because he's not a celibate monastic.
  - geomark 11y ago
    My misunderstanding. It sounded to me like the story was trying to make him larger than life by throwing in the title of Buddhist priest. I wasn't aware of that title - I thought they were implying he is monk. That's what I was reacting to.
    - mbrock 11y ago
      I have friends/acquaintances who are "Buddhist priests" in Zen traditions outside of Japan. They are semi-householder-ish, definitely not monks. However, they dedicate their lives to Buddhist service. They don't have children, but some are married or in relationships, mostly together with other "serious practitioners." They very definitely are not billionaires or CEOs -- and I am a little surprised at this story, which could definitely be clearer about what his priesthood actually involves. Possibly interesting article by an American Zen priest: http://www.patheos.com/blogs/wildfoxzen/2010/08/what-the-heck-is-a-zen-priest.html http://www.patheos.com/blogs/wildfoxzen/2010/08/what-the-hec...