Crackdown on monks a junta attempt to clean up Sangha

[rooster59]

Crackdown on monks a junta attempt to clean up Sangha

By The Nation

 

UNPRECEDENTED police action against high-ranking monks are a part of the junta government’s key initiative to clean up the country’s often-untouchable ecclesiastical sector, according to an informed source.

 

Officially, senior government figures have maintained that police have simply proceeded in line with the country’s laws. But the well-placed source confirmed yesterday that police had received a tacit green light. 

 

On Thursday, police raided three temples in Bangkok to arrest seven monks, including three members of the Sangha Supreme Council (SSC) – Phra Phromsitti (Thongchai Sukhayano), Sam Phraya Temple abbot Phra Phromdilok |(Euan Hasadhammo), and Samphanthawongsaram Temple assistant abbot Phra Phrommedhi (Chamnong Dhammajari). 

 

Never before have SSC members faced such a crackdown. 

Phra Phromdilok, who was arrested and denied bail, has now been defrocked. He has lost all monastic ranks and posts as a result. 

The two other senior monks have fled their temples.

 

But SSC has already fired all three monks, who are charged with embezzling state funds for temples. 

 

“The government hopes to improve the Sangha circles,” according to the source. 

 

It said the investigations into state-provided temple funds were only one part of the effort related to the government’s key policy. 

Other parts include the blacklisting of monks and novice monks showing “inappropriate” behaviour. 

 

“The blacklist has included the names of more than 100 monks [and] novice monks,” the source continued. 

 

Also on Thursday, Onoi Temple’s abbot and founder Phra Buddha Isara was arrested, defrocked and sent to jail over charges that he had led demonstrators in assaulting two policemen and snatching away their guns in 2014, and he had made unauthorised use of the initials of royals for amulet-making. 

 

The source continued that in implementing the policy to clean up the Sangha circles, some structural reforms would also take place. 

 

“It’s time to stop nepotism inside temples and regulate temple funds,” the source said. “A special work panel will be established to handle these operations in collaboration with relevant agencies, particularly the National Buddhism Office.” According to the source, it is apparent that some monks – apart from taking state funds – have taken donations as their own personal assets. 

 

“Abbots now have the mandate to name a layman manager for their temples. These managers can stay in the post for an indefinite time, with everything depending on the abbots’ decision. It should be noted that several temples have assets of well over Bt1 billion,” the source said. 

 

The source also divulged that Phra Phromsitti, Phra Phromdilok, and Phra Phrommedhi were close to Phra Dhammachayo, the controversial former abbot of Dhammakaya Temple. The Dhammakaya Temple has long been controversial, as |critics believe it encourages Buddhists to donate to make merit. 

 

Phra Dhammachayo went on the run last year after police tried to arrest him on charges of money laundering. 

 

Billions of baht from a cooperative were transferred to the temple and Phra Dhammachayo as donations, with the cooperative members bearing the brunt of the loss, a probe found.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/national/30346293

 

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2018-05-26

[Samui Bodoh]

1 minute ago, rooster59 said:

UNPRECEDENTED police action against high-ranking monks are a part of the junta government’s key initiative to clean up the country’s often-untouchable ecclesiastical sector, according to an informed source.

I am all for a clean up of the ecclesiastical sector; there are very few things worse than hypocritical religious figures acting for their own benefit.

 

The problem in Thailand, in general and especially currently, is that the government is simply no better; is there anyone out there who wants to debate that the current government, in place via coup and utilizing Article 44, is more 'moral' or 'ethical', than the Sangha?

 

How can one entity that does not meet ethical standards clean up another entity which also does not meet ethical standards?

 

Anyone?

 

Anyone?

 

[Oxx]

A pity the junta couldn't first take a look a bit closer to home and eliminate corruption and waste there.  It's a case of beam and mote, I think.

[mtls2005]

Monks are good earners. One (jaded) opinion is that these lads were not making the requisite payments upstream, so an example had to be made.

 

Issara, separately and evidently, went a bit too far with some of his money-making endeavors.

 

 

[ratcatcher]

1 hour ago, Samui Bodoh said:

I am all for a clean up of the ecclesiastical sector; there are very few things worse than hypocritical religious figures acting for their own benefit.

 

The problem in Thailand, in general and especially currently, is that the government is simply no better; is there anyone out there who wants to debate that the current government, in place via coup and utilizing Article 44, is more 'moral' or 'ethical', than the Sangha?

 

How can one entity that does not meet ethical standards clean up another entity which also does not meet ethical standards?

 

Anyone?

 

Anyone?

 

 

Because one entity has guns?

 

 

[Oxx]

2 minutes ago, mtls2005 said:

Issara, separately and evidently, went a bit too far with some of his money-making endeavors.

 

That is both libellous and wildly inaccurate.  Phra Issara was extremely active in trying to root out corruption in the sangha.  See, for example:

 

"Activist monk seeks Buddhism overhaul in Thailand over corruption fears"

 

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-thailand-buddhism-idUSKBN0LX13Q20150301

 

The real reason he's being targeted by the Junta is his political activism.

[rkidlad]

And the cleanup certainly takes over the headlines. 

[mok199]

the Yunta bucket list,gets longer and longer...we are going to need a bigger boat

[Lungstib]

From yesterdays Nation:  According to police, there is clear evidence of budget irregularities at the Sa Ket Temple. Even though the temple does not operate a Dhamma school, it asked and received a budget of Bt87.5 million for the school in 2014. 

 

If that is a true fact then it is quite obvious the temple has become totally oblivious to the truth, reality and accountability. It's corruption on a par with recent social services and education ministries. And this is one of the 3 pillars of Thai society?

[Dexlowe]

11 minutes ago, Oxx said:

The real reason he's being targeted by the Junta is his political activism.

It's pretty hard to argue against this. But the charges against him are serious, so we are faced with an intriguing situation - if he is truly guilty, then just who can the Buddhist adherents trust? Of course the junta will use the excuse of cleaning up the SSC and the temples to wipe out certain individuals who oppose it - that's the nature of this particular beast. But one way or another he would have eventually been neutralised. The whole situation is very sad indeed.

[Anak Nakal]

Is any honest person in Thailand?

[scorecard]

21 minutes ago, Dexlowe said:

It's pretty hard to argue against this. But the charges against him are serious, so we are faced with an intriguing situation - if he is truly guilty, then just who can the Buddhist adherents trust? Of course the junta will use the excuse of cleaning up the SSC and the temples to wipe out certain individuals who oppose it - that's the nature of this particular beast. But one way or another he would have eventually been neutralised. The whole situation is very sad indeed.

"Of course the junta will use the excuse of cleaning up the SSC and the temples to wipe out certain individuals who oppose it..."

 

A very similar statement could be applied to a previous pm now living abroad.

 

 

[ratcatcher]

50 minutes ago, Oxx said:

The real reason he's being targeted by the Junta is his political activism.

In the 2014 "Shutdown Bangkok"  demonstrations led by Suthep,  Phra Buddha Isara was instrumental in rallying crowds to block access to government land on Chaeng Wattana Rd, he also assaulted police officers and seized their guns. These demonstrations led to the demise of Yingluck and the rise of Prayuth. 

It's payback time from someone higher up the chain.

 

 

[BigBadGeordie]

2 hours ago, rooster59 said:

“It’s time to stop nepotism inside temples and regulate temple funds,” the source said. “A special work panel will be established to handle these operations in collaboration with relevant agencies, particularly the National Buddhism Office.” According to the source, it is apparent that some monks – apart from taking state funds – have taken donations as their own personal assets.

Take the above statement and substitute Army; Government; Police; Education etc for "Temples" and Soldiers; Politicians; Police Officers; Officials etc for "Monks".

Then they would be making some progress in the "War on Corruption".

[mikebell]

Buddhism - Thai style.  Is there any area of Thai society that isn't crooked? 

[Eric Loh]

2 hours ago, rooster59 said:

Crackdown on monks a junta attempt to clean up Sangha

Not falling for this. There are other reasons. Why now after 4 years in control. Could be friction between police and military who protected Issara and his corrupted cohorts. Or friction higher up. 

[Eric Loh]

2 hours ago, rooster59 said:

Crackdown on monks a junta attempt to clean up Sangha

Not falling for this. There are other reasons. Why now after 4 years in control. Could be friction between police and military who protected Issara and his corrupted cohorts. Or friction higher up. 

[holy cow cm]

3 hours ago, Samui Bodoh said:

I am all for a clean up of the ecclesiastical sector; there are very few things worse than hypocritical religious figures acting for their own benefit.

 

The problem in Thailand, in general and especially currently, is that the government is simply no better; is there anyone out there who wants to debate that the current government, in place via coup and utilizing Article 44, is more 'moral' or 'ethical', than the Sangha?

 

How can one entity that does not meet ethical standards clean up another entity which also does not meet ethical standards?

 

Anyone?

 

Anyone?

 

Your last sentence is perfect. too bad the Thai people can't hear that ring through their heads. 

[tukkytuktuk]

2 hours ago, ratcatcher said:

In the 2014 "Shutdown Bangkok"  demonstrations led by Suthep,  Phra Buddha Isara was instrumental in rallying crowds to block access to government land on Chaeng Wattana Rd, he also assaulted police officers and seized their guns. These demonstrations led to the demise of Yingluck and the rise of Prayuth. 

It's payback time from someone higher up the chain.

 

 

A similar story to yours in Khaosod English, but I think the reason he's been banged up is .....

Quote

On 10 April 2017, Wichai Prasertsutsiri, coordinator of the Centre for the Promotion of Buddhism Foundation, filed a complaint under Article 112 of the Criminal Code, the lèse majesté law, against Buddha Isara at the Crime Suppression Division in Bangkok.

Wichai said that on 30 May 2009 the monk performed a ritual to bless Buddha amulets engraved with the monograph of the late King Bhumibol before selling them to his disciples.

During the ritual, the monk used his own blood to bless the amulets. Such action was defamatory to the Thai monarchy since the amulets were engraved with the royal monograph, said Wichai.

https://prachatai.com/english/node/7066

 

[Artisi]

3 hours ago, Anak Nakal said:

Is any honest person in Thailand?

me, not too sure about you ?

[mtls2005]

54 minutes ago, tukkytuktuk said:

A similar story to yours in Khaosod English, but I think the reason he's been banged up is .....

 

It seems like he's been charged with two crimes: Royal Forgery, to which he has admitted and Ang-Yee (pertaining to the Feb. 2014 "incident").

 

Why he's been charged now is open to interpretation. But it's most certainly not because he is "reforming" the Sangha. Some speculate it's because he wants a bigger seat at the new trough, and his masters have told him to step back.

[Oxx]

43 minutes ago, mtls2005 said:

Some speculate it's because he wants a bigger seat at the new trough, and his masters have told him to step back.

 

You really have a taste for ill-informed speculation.  Previously you wrote "Issara, separately and evidently, went a bit too far with some of his money-making endeavors" which is utter male cow ordure.  And now you're peddling this tosh.

 

Is it too difficult for you to accept that there are some decent monks who are politically active seeking justice and equity who have upset the Junta?

 

 

 

 

[sjaak327]

6 hours ago, rooster59 said:

“It’s time to stop nepotism inside temples

Of course, such a privilege is only extended to the current governement !

[Samui Bodoh]

15 minutes ago, Oxx said:

 

You really have a taste for ill-informed speculation.  Previously you wrote "Issara, separately and evidently, went a bit too far with some of his money-making endeavors" which is utter male cow ordure.  And now you're peddling this tosh.

 

Is it too difficult for you to accept that there are some decent monks who are politically active seeking justice and equity who have upset the Junta?

 

 

 

 

Respectfully,

 

"..Is it too difficult for you to accept that there are some decent monks who are politically active seeking justice and equity who have upset the Junta?..."

 

I think you are looking at this back asswards. (BTW, I do think that there are some decent monks. Many, in fact.)

 

One can be a monk or one can be politically active in seeking justice; when one tries to do both, one ends up doing neither.

 

Something about this story isn't adding up. He was very well connected, and very well connected people in Thailand do not get arrested like this, not after so many years.

 

Stay tuned, more to come...

 

[sjaak327]

25 minutes ago, Oxx said:

 

You really have a taste for ill-informed speculation.  Previously you wrote "Issara, separately and evidently, went a bit too far with some of his money-making endeavors" which is utter male cow ordure.  And now you're peddling this tosh.

 

Is it too difficult for you to accept that there are some decent monks who are politically active seeking justice and equity who have upset the Junta?

 

 

 

 

Hold on, this monk was one of the key persons of the PRDC, you remember them, they wanted to protect the constitution at first, and made a 360 turn when they demanded reforms before elections (something that directly contravened said constitution). They then proceeded and disrupted elections that were mandated by the constitution and approved by the head of state, a criminal offence. 

 

These people all belong behind bars, this monk is where he belongs, people that do not accept democracy and majority rule on the false notion that voters are too uneducated to vote have my utter contempt. 

 

The remark by mtls2005 might be much closer to the truth than you think. The junta normally does not go after their supporters. 

[Eric Loh]

10 minutes ago, Samui Bodoh said:

Something about this story isn't adding up. He was very well connected, and very well connected people in Thailand do not get arrested like this, not after so many years.

Like you, I am perplex as to the timing of this case. The ‘crime’ was committed in 2009 and he was untouchable for the last 9 years. So why now? I am also too convinced by the corruption charges which he plan to fight the charges. He is not seen as having a flamboyant lifestyle and he still live in a modest room in the monastery. Did he know too much like Sondhi and have to be silenced. I really don’t know but certainly the political angle carries much weight rather than the corruption charges.

 

[connda]

My dad always told me that I should clean up my own back yard before I set off to clean up someone else's.

[Artisi]

8 minutes ago, connda said:

My dad always told me that I should clean up my own back yard before I set off to clean up someone else's.  That was excellent advice.  <hint hint>

Shouldn't that be applied by the junta to themselves, but then I guess everything is all OK in that area as it's do as I say, not as I do. 

[hansnl]

8 hours ago, Samui Bodoh said:

I am all for a clean up of the ecclesiastical sector; there are very few things worse than hypocritical religious figures acting for their own benefit.

 

The problem in Thailand, in general and especially currently, is that the government is simply no better; is there anyone out there who wants to debate that the current government, in place via coup and utilizing Article 44, is more 'moral' or 'ethical', than the Sangha?

 

How can one entity that does not meet ethical standards clean up another entity which also does not meet ethical standards?

 

Anyone?

 

Anyone?

 

So, an unethical entity should leave things how they are and let the rot grow larger unhindered?

[Oxx]

1 hour ago, Eric Loh said:

I am also too convinced by the corruption charges which he plan to fight the charges.

 

He has not been charged with corruption.  He's been charged with (a) using  initials of the late king Bhumibol and his Queen without permission (which he accepts), and (b) running an illegal secret organisation.