Arrest Of 22 Of Them (in Sri Lanka) Has RESTORED MY FAITH In Buddhist Monks!

Sorry!

If I offend YOU, that was NOT my goal.

My GRIPE with Buddhist monks is PERSONAL.

No, I was NOT abused ... at least not physically. They wouldn't have had the kahunas. (My adoptive father had way, way too much sway over them.)

Yes, I guess I did receive (albeit it very temporary) some mental/emotional trauma. But, I bounce back quick.

I was brought up to WORSHIP Buddhist monks. I had to go down, prostate on the ground, & worship their feet.

I was brought up to believe that Buddhist monks were demigods -- they were INCAPABLE of doing any wrong.

How wrong that proved to be.

My ADOPTIVE FATHER was PROMINENT LAY Buddhist leader & activist. Here, look it up on Wikipedia.

IF I was at home (rather than with my BAPTIST surrogate Father or with Doctor Uncle), a day would NOT GO BY when I was NOT exposed to at least ONE monk. They came to our house. We went to temples all the time.

So, I have a history.

As I got older (i.e., ~10) I started seeing & noticing things ...

Some monks were particularly fond of MEAT. Some were gluttons.

I even NOTICED (through smell) that there was cooking going on in the living quarters of the temples -- though monks, per the Buddha, were ORDERED not to eat after noon. I also saw a lot of women & kids at night, BUT was too naive to understand. I could see NO EVIL.

In 1967, when I was 14, we came to the U.S. -- 'Buffalo', NY. My father taught at the University there.

There was a young monk, in his 'late' 20s that I was particularly fond of. He had been my Sunday school teacher. Through my urging my adoptive father (the V.V.V.VIP) arranged for him to come to Buffalo, to the University, on a full scholarship. I was over the moon.

He (the monk) became a part of the family. He came to the house & went with us on trips. I still have PHOTOS ...

Then, in August 1968, we LEFT the U.S. for 'Paris', France. My father had a fancy job at UNESCO. We left the young monk, in ROBES, behind.

Six months or so later my father started getting letters.

The monk had given UP HIS ROBES ... He was no longer a monk.

He had GOT MARRIED to a U.S. girl. 

He had quit the University & doing some job.

I LEARNT.

A few years later, when I was 18, I GAVE UP ON BEING A BUDDHIST.

After that, to the chagrin of my adoptive parents, I REFUSED to worship or even bow to Buddhist monks.

They were NO DIFFERENT me.

Flawed & mortal.

So, it is personal.

That they would be DRUG MULES is what I EXPECT of them.

SORRY.

But ... Can YOU BLAME ME?

😇