Bewildering Stories welcomes...

Justin Haselden

Justin is originally from South Carolina but has lived in far-flung parts of the world: Japan, Chicago, Las Vegas, South Korea, and Germany. He holds degrees in law and in Asian Studies. He currently works as an attorney for a large corporation.

“The Bodhisattva’s Blessings” is a cautionary morality tale set in Japan. A Buddhist monk causes a small-business proprietor to question his religious beliefs.

The story will baffle some Western readers. They simply won’t get it, especially if they think that idols have no place in their world view. They would do well to think again. And readers in other parts of the world, especially southern Asia, may find the story disturbing.

The story of Horii Mamoto and the monk deserves a place of honor in the “holiday season.” It serves as a vivid illustration of the point made in James J. O’Donnell’s Pagans: The End of Traditional Religion and the Rise of Christianity. And it reminds us to be wary, lest we lapse into magical thinking of our own. As we like to say, “The ancient world was not so long ago, and not so far away.”

Justin Haselden’s bio sketch can be found here.

Welcome to Bewildering Stories, Justin. We hope to hear from you again soon and often!