Amazon ‘Rent-a-Monk’ Service Criticised by Japan Buddhist Federation
28th December 2015
A service offering monks for hire on Amazon has been criticised by Buddhists who say it “commodifies a religious act as a service”.
Uh, well, it really is a service. Monks gotta eat, too, you know.
The Japanese Buddhist Federation is to formally request that Amazon stops selling the services of Buddhist monks for memorial services and other ceremonies, according to The Asahi Shimbun, Japan’s daily newspaper.
Wet blankets.
A statement from the Federation, released on Christmas Eve, said that the service raises questions about Amazon’s attitude towards religion. Amazon did not immediately respond to requests for comment.