Public lecture begun with the welcome address by Dr. Pavananthi Vembulu, Director, Centre for Social Justice and Equity, Madras School of Social Work. Then, the speaker was felicitated by Dr. Raja Samuel, Principal, MSSW. Later, Mr. Gouthama Prabhu, President, Foundation of His Sacred Majesty (NGO) gave brief introduction about the speaker and his profile. After the introduction, the speaker Prof. Jonathan Watts delivered his lecture. The lecture consists four parts. In the first part the speaker discussed the concept of impure / taint / Kegare in the Japan society based the occupation related to death and blood. He has explained how the concept of karma and impurity has been established in the ancient Japan and how it has been carried through different cultural practices such as good funeral, name on the tomb etc. he also explored how section of people and women were considered impure. He stressed on how such practices have been institutionalised through Buddhist priests.