The Kyoto Shimbun
  • Home
  • Kyoto
  • News
  • Negative Impression of Priests Due to Money?
    Survey by Hongwanji-ha Research Institute

    5 December 2018 - Kyoto//Temples/Shrines
    Photo= Staff of Jodo Shinshu Hongwanji-ha Research Institute inviting event visitors to answer the questionnaire (November 2017, INTEX OSAKA, Suminoe Ward, Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture)

    Photo= Staff of Jodo Shinshu Hongwanji-ha Research Institute inviting event visitors to answer the questionnaire (November 2017, INTEX OSAKA, Suminoe Ward, Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture)

    The research institute of Jodo Shinshu Hongwanji-ha, a sect headquartered at Nishi Hongwanji Temple, Shimogyo Ward, Kyoto, reported its questionnaire result. It concluded that the amount of monetary offerings and priests' financial sense caused negative impressions of temples and priests, shedding light on the long-standing delicate relation between priests and money again.

    The research institute realized that, recently, the roles of priests, temples and funerals have been in question more than ever, so they have been conducting questionnaires since last year, in order to discover if people have positive or negative impressions about Buddhism, temples and priests, as well as the causes. They surveyed participants, including funeral directors, religiously-affiliated people and general attendees, of the "Life Ending Industry EXPO" held in Tokyo and Osaka last year. The institute received 2,221 responses.

    Responses were on a five-point scale as to respondents' positive or negative impressions of Buddhism, temples and priests respectively. The average scores were 4.1 for Buddhism, 3.8 for temples and 3.5 for priests. The results show that many respondents had a positive image of Buddhism, while their impressions about temples and priests were not as high.

    In response to a question regarding the reason for a negative impression about temples, most respondents indicated the amount of monetary offerings and donations. In regards to negative impressions of priests, the most common answer cited was "their attitude toward people," followed by "their financial sense." Some cited their "lack of competence in giving sermons."

    In response to a question about factors that cause a negative impression of Buddhism, 25 percent of the respondents said "priests." After classifying the answer by respondent type, it could be seen that religiously-affiliated people themselves chose this answer much more than funeral directors or general attendees, revealing a low "self-evaluation" among priests.

    (Translated by Mie Hiuzon, Psyche et l’Amour, Inc.)
  • Also in Kyoto//Temples/Shrines:

    "We Will Continue Creating Works," Said Mr. Hatta, President of Kyoto Animation
    Praying for Victims' Repose at Memorial
    5 August 2022

    Taka Yama Float's Full Return to Kyoto Gion Festival's Second Procession after 196 Years
    Imposing Dignity Met with Applause
    5 August 2022

    First Float Procession, One Highlight of Kyoto's Gion Festival, Takes Place
    Two-Year Hiatus due to COVID-19 Pandemic
    5 August 2022

    Kyoto festival parade to return after 2-yr lull amid pandemic
    13 July 2022

    Foreign Investors Buying High-Priced Properties
    Japan's "Cheapness" as Seen in Kyoto
    7 July 2022

News Archive
  • August 2022
  • July 2022
  • June 2022
  • May 2022
  • April 2022
  • March 2022
  • More...
Categories
  • Sightseeing/Events
  • Temples/Shrines
  • Tradition/Culture
  • Local topics
  • Education/University
  • Business/Company
  • Traffic
  • Gourmet
  • 1min Kyoto
  • Kyoto
  • Shiga
Web site
Introducing Privacy Policy Japanese Site
Copyright © 1995-2022 The Kyoto Shimbun Co., Ltd. All rights reserved.
We use cookies for a number of reasons, such as keeping our websites reliable and secure, providing social media features and to analyze the performance of ads. Accept & continue Read More
Privacy Policy