I fully agree with the responsible and most appropriate warning in the last paragraph of the Nov. 24 editorial, "Aum crimes remain misted": "People should not forget the possibility that, given the current social and economic conditions in which young people see little hope, some may be attracted by organizations that appear to offer an easy way out of their difficulties while numbing their judgment with promises of 'salvation,' 'enlightenment,' etc. Such organizations must be monitored carefully."
I would even suggest retrials of some top Aum Shinrikyo leaders who are now free and continuing their Aum teachings in disguise. They should be locked up for life, if not executed outright. The state should disband all Aum-related fake-religious organizations.
And a.ll Japanese people need to do some soul-searching. They should study Buddhism in depth and correct the practices of Japanese monks, such as drinking alcohol, playing games, committing adultery, keeping a wife and family, operating a business, etc. I have full respect for those Japanese monks who practice celibacy and meditation.
Japanese media should refrain from promoting the lifestyles of false monks, especially on television. I see their bad habits and practices as encouraging the emergence of Aum-like organizations. Fake begets fake! I'm not trying to insult Japanese Buddhism, but false practices are violations of the sacred tenets of this religion and insulting to its principal founder, the Buddha himself.
The opinions expressed in this letter to the editor are the writer's own and do not necessarily reflect the policies of The Japan Times.