by Mrs. M- 

I was nineteen and experiencing my first Tozan in October of 1973. After the second Gokaihi ceremony, I went out to see the temple grounds by myself. The serenity of my walk was broken when I was greeted by two priests. One was short and holding a camera. He called out to me and motioned that I come to him. I had reservations. He had a lecherous undertone to his voice. As I was hesitating, he followed with a very insistent "hellooo". Something inside made me back away. I was scared. 

He made other gestures that I should come over to him. As I backed away further, he hopped up and down, balled his hand into a fist, and shook it violently at me and screamed. His temper astounded me. I hurried back to my dorm. 

When I returned to the dorm, our YWD leader announced that the Nichiren Shoshu General Administrator had tried to talk to a girl Tozan participant but she refused. He was greatly offended. We were then informed that this kind of behavior could revoke our privilege to be on the Head Temple grounds. 

I felt like a fugitive. The General Administrator was being ridiculous, but no one questioned his behavior. Later, I was concerned that I may have helped fuel the SGI/Priesthood issue at least in a small way. 

Then I heard Mrs. Clow's experience with Shin'no Abe*, and I was glad I ran away. After more than twenty years, I found out that this was the same priest who approached me. 

[Posted on behalf of Mrs. M- of Wheaton, MD] 

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* Shin'no Abe is now the Nikken sect's high priest.