FRien said: That's funny. This guy is a priest, yet he summons demon. That's doesn't really make sense.
Well, first off, I don't think he's supposed to be a *good* priest. There's all sorts of religious personnel who are corrupt and do things that their religion says they're not supposed to do.
Moreover, a priest summoning demons isn't quite as absurd in the context of Buddhism, and Eastern religions in general.
Abrahamic religions - Judaism, Christianity, and Islam - have a very black-and-white adversarial relationship between God - the creator, sustainer, and rightful ruler of the universe and the ultimate source of all goodness - and demons, who have willfully turned from God and have become His adversaries. Members of Abrahamic religions depend on God and His goodness for their salvation and the well-being of their souls, and are therefore opposed to demons.
Buddhism, though, doesn't really "worship" anyone, and claim that salvation (or rather, enlightenment) comes from the self rather than from God (or the Buddha). The Buddha can point the way, and he can help you out if you pray to him, but it's up to you to reach enlightenment. There's a famous Buddhist saying: "if you meet the Buddha on the road to enlightenment, kill him." A Buddhist is not necessarily automatically politically aligned with Heaven and against Hell like a Christian, Jew, or Muslim is.
Furthermore, in Eastern religious cosmologies, demons are not necessarily interested in tempting you away from God. They just might want to eat you, or torture you for fun. They're less "devious tempter" and more "brutal monster."
So a Buddhist priest who summons demons is certainly unorthodox and we may question how wise he is to do so, but as far as I know it's not really against Buddhist doctrine (if such a thing can be said to exist.)
Finally, don't forget that Byakuren herself is aligned with youkai, who prey on humanity...and demons are, as far as I know, considered youkai.
Nissiku said: Finally, don't forget that Byakuren herself is aligned with youkai, who prey on humanity...and demons are, as far as I know, considered youkai.
I suspect you are confusing it with Taoism and related, where animals become fairy/youkai over very long periods of time. In Buddhism all animals would become Buddha eventually across many incarnations, with humans as a more advanced stage than animals.
I'm imagining longnose there to have the same voice as Dr. West from Demonbane.
Just seems so fitting.
No. Dr. West is awesome and rocks out. The Baron ... is not. And looks like he's carrying a purse.
By my honor, I have come to lend assistance to High Priest Hijiri in battle!Very well, then allow me to introduce myself as well!!MyonNow then...Konpaku Youmu!!Buying TimeBamHm?You there! Hear me when I am distant, see me as I draw near! Standard period-drama method of introducing oneself on the battlefield, taken directly from the classic Tale of the Heike.Mimicking Youki. She always wanted to say this at least once.But saying it embarrassed her.N-...Now, face me like a man!!So the little lady is an ancient samurai?I am the gardener of Hakugyokurou and the second generation leader of the Konpaku clan: