Last month a Buddhist nun in Nepal was gang-raped on a bus. That news was shocking enough, but the aftermath is disturbing also.
The Buddhist sangha of Nepal has called for justice for the 21-year-old nun and for proper medical treatment for her extensive injuries. However, the sangha also is considering expelling her from her order because she was raped.
The Times of India reports that Ang Kaji Sherpa, general secretary of the Nepal Adivasi Janajati Mahasangh, is asking Nyingmapa in Nepal to consider giving shelter to the nun when she recovers
"We are discussing the formal Buddhist policy that says a nun who loses her celibacy, even though involuntarily, can't remain a nun any more," said Ang Kaji Sherpa."
Seriously?
Sherpa said he has had discussions with three monks from the [Nyingma] sect, who are now mulling whether the nun could be offered sanctuary in a nunnery run by the sect in Nepal. "Buddhism is a very forgiving religion," Sherpa told TNN. "The Buddha forgave Angulimala, the robber who was a ruthless killer. So it should show compassion to a victim."
It seems to me that if there were no intention to have sex, there is nothing to forgive. Accidentally causing harm or even death is usually considered blameless, for example.
The assault occurred on June 24, and according to some news sources the alleged assailants, all bus drivers and their assistants, confessed to police. Yet they were not arrested until recently, and since they've been arrested bus drivers in eastern Nepal have gone on strike until the accused men are released.
The nun was unconscious for several days, and the most recent news stories say that she is still too traumatized to speak of the assault.
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