Japanese monks sell goods to offset shrinking donations

Key facts

• Buddhist monks in Japan are increasingly selling goods and services.
• This trend is a response to declining donation levels.
• The practice aims to supplement traditional funding sources for religious institutions.

Buddhist monks in Japan are increasingly engaging in commercial activities to supplement their income as traditional donations shrink. This shift reflects a broader challenge faced by religious institutions in the country, which are grappling with declining public contributions. The monks are turning to selling various goods and services as a means to sustain their operations and maintain their temples.