Buddhist nun sentenced to 3 months for hitting volunteer with donation box; claims she 'just pushed it over'

A 73-year-old Buddhist nun has been sentenced to three months in prison for assaulting a male volunteer at the Shou Tian Temple in Mingjian Township. The incident occurred when the nun, identified by her surname Chen, became angered because she believed the volunteer was obstructing her collection of donations.

According to reports, the nun was collecting alms with her donation box when the volunteer stood in front of her, managing traffic and people. Feeling that her ability to receive donations was hindered, Chen allegedly used the donation box to strike the volunteer's back and arms. When the volunteer fell to the ground, she continued to assault him by kicking and hitting him with the box, causing injuries to his head, chest, and other areas.

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I just pushed the donation box over.

During the trial at the Nantou District Court, Chen denied assaulting or kicking the volunteer. She claimed she merely "pushed the donation box over" and that the volunteer fell and injured himself. She further insisted she was not at fault and reportedly insulted the volunteer in court, calling him "useless."

However, this is not the first time Chen has been involved in such an incident. Last December, she assaulted a vegetable vendor in Changhua County using a donation box, also for allegedly blocking her path. Both parties were sentenced to detention in that case. In the current case, the nun denied wrongdoing and refused to reach a settlement, leading the judge to impose the three-month prison sentence for assault. The verdict is subject to appeal.

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Useless.