"Devoted" Buddhist claims theft of Buddhist statues only for prayer

Buddhist stole antique statue "to pray"

(Reuters) - A Japanese man whose home was found packed with Buddhist statues told police he had stolen some from temples in the ancient capital of Kyoto so he could pray to them, domestic media said Tuesday.

Police found 21 statues of Buddha in the 59-year-old's house after he was arrested on suspicion of stealing a wooden Buddha figure from a temple in Kyoto.

"I stole this because of my devotions," a Kyoto police spokesman quoted Itsuo Abe as saying of the 70 cm, early 17th century statue, which belonged to Kenninji, a Zen temple founded in 1202

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Over 20 Buddha heads stolen from temples in Thailand forcing police investigation

Phra Athikansadaeng Premasilo, a 77-year-old abbot of Wat Dong Wai, observes headless Buddha statues after the theft of heads of Buddha sandstone images on November 19 in the ancient Thai capital of Ayutthaya, about 80 km (50 miles) north of Bangkok, November 25, 2009. Credit: Reuters/Sukree Sukplang

Thai police vow crackdown on Buddha statue thieves

Thailand (Reuters Life!) - Thai police promised to get tough with criminals who steal historic artifacts for the international market after a spate of thefts from the old capital of Ayuthaya outraged the public in the Buddhist country.

At least 20 heads of Buddha statues have recently been reported stolen from temples in the World Heritage province of Ayuthaya, which was the kingdom's capital from 1350 to 1767, said deputy national police chief Jongrak Juthanond.

"We believe there is a rise in demand in the antique markets abroad where people like to decorate their living rooms with these

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