Wrong Conduct

Occasionally some Buddhist monks take sexual advantage of those who revere them.

And punishment can sometimes be minimal,
even in cases that sound rather criminal.

A Tribune review of sexual abuse cases involving several Theravada Buddhist temples found minimal accountability and lax oversight of monks accused of preying on vulnerable targets.

Because they answer to no outside ecclesiastical authority, the temples respond to allegations as they see fit. And because the monks are viewed as free agents, temples claim to have no way of controlling what they do next. Those found guilty of wrongdoing can pack a bag and move to another temple — much to the dismay of victims, law enforcement and other monks.

Being non-hierarchical has its uses -
it's hard to get sued for your "holy" folk's abuses.