Buddhist Priests Q&A

Buddhist Priests Q&A

The website “Hasunoha” where Buddhist priests answer questions about your problems is becoming very popular. “Hasunoha” (Lotus leaf), which features Q&A with expert priests was created in 2012.  Its unique and to-the-point comments by 150 priests have attracted a lot of attention from the public. 10,000 people are on the waiting list.

According to Nikkei, there were very few visitors to the site when it was created.  However when one priest answered the question, “How can I stop playing computer games?” based on his own experience of quitting them, it attracted a lot of attention.  Nobody imagined that priests play compter games, and the answer was on target.

 Since then, the number of visitors to “Hasunoha” increased quickly, with 20,000 answers and 300,000 “likes”. Today they need more priests who can give appropriate advice to people to cope with the increasing demand.

In the old days, temples were places where people in the community gathered together to help each other.  Samurai warriors went to the Buddhist priests for advice, because priests were believed to have special strength of mind beyond worldly affairs. For this reason, people consulted priests when they had problems with their lives. 

In today's hectic and stressful world, many people need to turn to someone for help.  In view of this, Buddhist priests set up such a community on "Hasunoha" to help and support these people.

One person asked about “human relations”, as he had been having problems with colleagues at work.  The answer went like this. “Buddha keeps his eyes half-opened and half-closed.  You should see the good things in other people, but be willing to overlook the bad things". The priests suggest how to deal with your problems based on the teachings of Buddhism to help you lead a better life.

 Since it is online, "Hasunoha" is easy to access, and several Buddhist priests offer advice from different perspectives. Their answers are often merciful and inspring, or exceed your expecttions. 

Why don’t you ask Buddhist priests for advice when you have a problem?

Soucee: The Nikkei Shinbun, October 15 evening issue