Pressure Mounts To Make Buddhism State Religion

[george]

Buddhists and monks plan rally Monday

BANGKOK: -- Hundreds of monks and Buddhist disciples are expected to rally in front of the Parliament Monday to press for the inclusion of a clause in the draft Constitution declaring Buddhism national religion.

The monks will come from 500 temples in Bangkok and several other provinces. They will be joined by Buddhist lay people from across the country. The rally is expected to drag on until Wednesday.

Phra Thep Wittayakoon, or the wellknown Luangpor Koon, of Wat Ban rai, has donated 10,000 baht to support the movement which is also endorsed by the World Buddhism Relations Organisation and the Buddhist Association of Thailand.

Luangpor Koon said Sunday that supporters of the movement had wanted an existing clause in the draft charter which states that the King must be a Buddhist and and upholder of all religions to include an addition making Buddhism the national religion. He hoped that the Constitution Drafting Assembly would heed the Buddhists' wish when they convene this coming week to debate the draft charter.

The wellknown monk also warned that the draft charter might be voted down in a national referendom if it did not contain the clause so wished by most Buddhists.

-- Bangkok Post 2007-04-15

[cdnvic]

Yeah, this won't make the four southern provinces feel even more detached from the rest of the country.

What a silly idea.

[jasreeve17]

What a silly, and anti Buddhist teaching idea.

Edited April 15, 2007 by jasreeve17

[Galong]

Yep, theocracies always work best!

Unfortunately, I can't really think of any examples... doh!

Maybe they can start charging foreigners 400 Baht to visit temples

[khunmarc]

whats really needed in the next constitution is a clause to uphold democracy !!!!

but dream on

this rally is the most un buddhist thing i heard of in a while I bet that Big cheese monk will ride in a BMW to the rally

sad thing for sure for all other faiths in Thailand specially the decent people in the south (yeah Ive been there and most of the muslims I got to know were very nice people) forget about the thugs that use religion to excuse their fascist ways

God Has NO religion ( Gandhi)

[mikethevigoman]

Buddhists and monks plan rally Monday

BANGKOK: -- Hundreds of monks and Buddhist disciples are expected to rally in front of the Parliament Monday to press for the inclusion of a clause in the draft Constitution declaring Buddhism national religion.

The monks will come from 500 temples in Bangkok and several other provinces. They will be joined by Buddhist lay people from across the country. The rally is expected to drag on until Wednesday.

Phra Thep Wittayakoon, or the wellknown Luangpor Koon, of Wat Ban rai, has donated 10,000 baht to support the movement which is also endorsed by the World Buddhism Relations Organisation and the Buddhist Association of Thailand.

Luangpor Koon said Sunday that supporters of the movement had wanted an existing clause in the draft charter which states that the King must be a Buddhist and and upholder of all religions to include an addition making Buddhism the national religion. He hoped that the Constitution Drafting Assembly would heed the Buddhists' wish when they convene this coming week to debate the draft charter.

The wellknown monk also warned that the draft charter might be voted down in a national referendom if it did not contain the clause so wished by most Buddhists.

-- Bangkok Post 2007-04-15

What sort of cars will they be driving ?

[sabaijai]

One hopes that non-nationalistic Buddhists in Thailand will speak out against the politicisation of Buddhism here. It's beginning to parallel what has happened in Sri Lanka, where Buddhist nationalism arose in reaction to Tamil Hindu agitation and violence (in support of Tamil autonomy in the north). Many monks in Sri Lanka are members of political parties and monks even hold nine seats in Sri Lanka's Parliament.

Sri Lanka government gains support of Buddhist monks

February 23, 2007

COLOMBO: With full-scale war blossoming once more in a country beset by a quarter century of ethnic conflict, an ever more assertive government has found a sturdy ally in what might seem an unexpected source: hard-line Buddhist monks.

The monks have long been active in Sri Lanka's deeply polarized politics, but for the first time they have joined the governing coalition with their own political party. Called the Jathika Hela Urumaya, or National Heritage Party, they now hold 9 seats in Sri Lanka's 225-member Parliament.

IHT article cont'd here

[george]

Update:

1 million signatures to be filed to pressure charter drafters to name Buddhism national religion

BANGKOK: -- A major group of Buddhists Monday vowed to submit 1 million signatures of believers in the faith to pressure the constitution drafters to have the next charter state that Buddhism in Thailand's national religion.

Kamphol Phumanee, a leading member of the Council of Buddhist Organizations of Thailand, said organizations under his umbrella group had gathered 1 million signatures.

He said the signatures would be submitted to Prason Soonsiri, chairman of the Constitution Drafting Committee, on Tuesday so that the CDC would state in the drafter constitution that Buddhism is the kingdom's national religion.

-- The Nation 2007-04-16

[sabaijai]

Constitution contains no state religion

By Penchan Charoensuthipan

As a Buddhist, Constitution Drafting Committee (CDC) chairman Prasong Soonsiri said he wants Buddhism to flourish, but it was not important to include such a declaration in the constitution.

Sqn-Ldr Prasong has shrugged off the call for Buddhism to be declared the official national religion in the new charter.

What matters most is for Buddhists to try to understand and act in compliance with the Lord Buddha's teachings.

The question whether Buddhism should be proclaimed the national religion is beside the point, Sqn-Ldr Prasong said.

Whether Buddhism will progress or decline depends on the ability of its followers, both laymen and monks, to maintain the religion, he said.

Bangkok Post cont'd here

[blacklabel]

Why do they have to rally to become the national religion?

85% of thais are buddhist

There are more temples den buildings add together from all other religion in thailand

The numbers of monks around is more den BIB.

And finally most of the man in thailand have at least been a monk once in their lifetime

[PeaceBlondie]

A healthy religion needs no special support from a State. A healthy State needs no special support from religion. Usually, even in democracies, religion and state fornicate each other when they're combined.

...and that's my more modest opinion!

[britmaveric]

Only a gesture - wouldnt really mean much anyways.

[keddy]

A healthy religion needs no special support from a State. A healthy State needs no special support from religion. Usually, even in democracies, religion and state fornicate each other when they're combined.

...and that's my more modest opinion!

I thought football was the country's national religion

[sabaijai]

Thailand: Not in need of 'status crutch'

By PHRA PAISAN VISALO, Buddhist Channel April 19, 2007

Constitution Drafting Committee chairman Prasong Soonsiri is correct when he points out that Buddhism does not need to be labelled the national religion

Bangkok, Thailand -- The decline in morality and continued disarray of Buddhism over the past several decades have prompted many Buddhists to try to strengthen the religion. One of the measures has been a call that Buddhism be declared the official national religion in the new constitution, whose first draft will be finished today.

In the past, Buddhism was an inseparable part of Thai life, history and culture. Today, however, Thai people live a life that is increasingly separated from Buddhist teachings. The proof is in the sharp rise in crime, widespread corruption, domestic violence especially against women and children, proliferation of gambling, promiscuity and the unprecedented obsession with occult practices and talismans.

All these raise the question: Is Buddhism still part and parcel of Thai life?

There is nothing wrong with the campaign to name Buddhism as our state religion. The problem is that we can't make it true by writing a passage down in the constitution.

Suppose we had a new constitution with Buddhism codified as the state religion today, do you believe that crime, rape or corruption cases would go away? Do you believe Thailand would cease to be a paradise for the flesh trade? Do you believe people would stop killing one another?

The only difference would be an increased sense of puzzlement among foreigners or people who uphold different religions: if Buddhism, which preaches compassion and peace, was made the national religion, why were Thais still doing violent and vile things?

It does not take a clause in the constitution to make Buddhism our state religion. What it takes is a return of the Buddhist teachings into the hearts of the people.

While the government's support would be necessary to realise the mission _ an issuing of legislation to correct structural flaws and a provision of financial assistance or capable personnel - it is not as important as cooperation from the Sangha Council and the general public.

Among proponents of the state religion status, an argument seems to prevail that Buddhism is in decline due to lack of state support, thus the proposal that the national status would help. Some urge that the government allocate more budget to Buddhist organisations or activities.

But do these organisations suffer from poverty?

The answer is, not at all.

The Sangha Council and temples around the country receive massive amounts of donations from the public. Where does the money go? To buildings, mostly. A hundred million, or sometimes a billion baht, can be spent on majestic chapels and temples, but little can be found to sponsor education for monks and novices, or to organise courses on moral ethics for youngsters. The irony is that whereas some urban temples have in their coffers billions of baht, many rural-based ones struggle with scarcity _ some cannot provide enough food for their monks and novices.

The problem with Buddhism, therefore, is not the lack of support from the government but the lack of awareness among Buddhists of all levels of the woes within. Try contemplating these questions: How much better Buddhism would be if richer temples were to help with or sponsor the education of monks and novices from poor, rural temples? How much in terms of Buddhist education would we have gained from the money that goes straight into the construction of grandiose edifices or the making of talismans?

The responsibility lies at all levels, starting with the Sangha Council, the Buddhist clergy's governing body. For the record, the education of monks is at a crisis stage. More than 80% of monks and novices flunk either the Dharma or Pali studies while 100,000 of them do not have the chance to study for the entry-level Nak Tham Tri Dharma examination. This is not to mention the quality of the education. At present, each temple is responsible for the education of its monks. The Sangha Council only takes care of the examination. Even though repeated calls have been made that a reform of monks' education be conducted, the council has consistently ignored them, despite its having the full authority to do so.

Under the circumstances, there is little the government can do or contribute.

King Rama V actually once tried to initiate a reform in monastic education. The King established the Maha Mongkut Buddhist University and Maha Chulalongkorn Buddhist University with the hope of educating monks so that they could give guidance to people in a rapidly changing world.

Even though the King's attempt was fully supported by his brother, Prince Wachirayarn, then abbot of Wat Boworniwet and head of the Dhammayudh Sect, the overhauling and upgrading of monastic schools and curricula was stopped after a few years because of opposition from senior monks, who viewed that monks had no business learning about new things or the secular world.

The push for Buddhism to be labelled a national religion stems from the belief that its stability _ even prosperity or decline _ hinges mainly on the government. But has the government shown any achievement in that respect? Can it take care of even basic problems such as making temples alcohol-free zones? Even though it is against the Five Precepts to drink alcohol, it is common practice in many temples during festivals. It seems only the local monks and communities are in a position to tackle such a problem, but apparently they can't. Why? Because monks have become weak and the communities complacent.

Now, do we think that if we write in the constitution that Buddhism is our national religion, we will rid our temples of alcohol?

So far, we have covered only problems regarding monks. However, a big part that contributes to the suffering of Buddhism has to do with the decline in people's morality. The best the government can do in this regard is to force children to study more moral courses or the general public to listen to more sermons _ the usual stints that have proved a miserable failure in instilling moral ethics in people's minds. Indeed, what the government can do to strengthen people's morality is to come up with measures, both legal and institutional, that will prop up the much-weakened family institute.

For example, what can be done to allow modern parents to spend more time with their children? Or, what can be done to prevent materialism from spreading all over the mass media? These are actions the government can take to help shore up ailing morality.

But these are measures we can actually push forward or achieve without having to designate Buddhism as the state religion in the charter. Being Buddhist is in the mind and conduct. It is not in a label or brand.

Indeed, the labelling, if allowed to go through, would put a blind on these problems and prevent them from being properly addressed. Why? Because the Buddhist communities would then have an excuse not to do anything and shift the responsibility to the government _ it's the state religion, isn't it?

There is a major concern that the designating of Buddhism as the national religion would cause a religious rift in the country, where about 5% of the population belongs to other faiths. The feared belligerence would not occur if we all followed our religious faith with an open mind. The reality, however, is far from ideal. The reality is many groups of people are so absorbed in their own beliefs that they can't open their minds to different ideas or perspectives. This is especially true when fervent nationalism is brought into play.

We have witnessed people who issued personal threats and curses against academic scholars who argued that the first stone inscription may not have been made by King Ramkhamhaeng of Sukhothai as believed. We also saw public harassment against the academic who questioned the existence of legendary figure Thao Suranaree. Some people still protest against women entering the inner sanctum of the chedi where sacred relics are enshrined. These events happen so frequently that they call into question whether Thai people still practice tolerance as taught by Lord Buddha?

The drop in tolerance would not be a healthy background for the designation of Buddhism as the state religion, as the move would inevitably make people equate being Thai with being Buddhist _ a dangerous idea that could lead to discrimination against people of other religions as well as those of the same faith who happen to think differently.

With such a concept in mind, it would be easy to fall into the ultra-nationalist trap of calling those who do not support the state religion move _ or in future any move to benefit Buddhism at the expense of other religions _ as being un-Thai. The trap has proved to be the trigger that tipped conflicts into bloodshed in the past.

On this note, it is important now that both proponents and opponents of the state religion campaign start to show tolerance and stop condemning people who support different ideas.

The thing is, differences of opinion have become a normal thing in the present. We have to live with them. And the only way we can live with all these opposing ideas and campaigns is to practice tolerance.

There is an anecdotal story about Dr Bradley, an American missionary who came to Bangkok during the reign of King Mongkut to proselytise Christianity. One day, Dr Bradley stopped by a shop selling Buddha images and started to condemn the worship of a Buddhist icon. As this is a tropical country, Dr Bradley got tired after a while. The shop proprietor sympathised with the tired missionary and so invited Dr Bradley into the shop to sit down and rest. Then, he inquired why Dr Bradley thought so. Dr Bradley was very impressed that the shop owner did not show animosity back to him, so he wrote the story down as a record.

What the shop owner from the reign of King Rama IV did represents what religious tolerance is and what it's like to have Buddhism enshrined in our minds. And if Buddhism is firmly rooted in our minds, there is no point of writing it down in the charter.

----------------------------

The author is abbot of Wat Pasukato in Chaiyaphum province. He is the author of the research, ''Thai Buddhism in the Future: Trends and Alternatives to the Present Crisis''.

[cdnvic]

I rarely get to say this about Thai politics but it appears sanity has prevailed.

[sabaijai]

Buddhism already 'official' religion

Come Thursday, a sea of yellow robes is likely to dominate the landscape in front of parliament as tens of thousands of Buddhist monks and their lay supporters converge there to press their demand that Buddhism be declared the national religion in the new draft constitution. After a week's delay, the draft charter is due to be received on that day by the Constitution Drafting Assembly.

The Constitution Drafting Committee (CDC) which crafted the draft did not include a clause which would make Buddhism the national religion. Like all previous charters written since constitutional monarchy was adopted in this country, the new draft charter only stipulates that the King be a Buddhist and upholder of all religions.

The charter writers contend that there is no need to officially nationalise Buddhism in the constitution as it was already stipulated that the King be a Buddhist which amounts to official recognition of Buddhism as the de facto national religion.

Bangkok Post, cont'd

[jumnien]

Personally, I don't think it is skillful to include a "Buddhism is the national religion" statement in the military's new constitution.

[Plus]

Yes, but if 85% of Thais are buddhists and they want their religion to be included in the constitution, why shouldn't it be??? Why should Thailand pretend to be a secular state? Who would this secular government represent? Why the people should elect the government that deliberately ignores an important and integral part of their lives?

How come the King is the protector of the religion but the Royal Thai Government is not?

Will muslims object? Unlikely, they would declare Islam the official religion had they have sufficient numbers. If the clause is included in the Constitution it would include the rights of all other religions, too.

[egeefay]

If you want to see some countries that have official state religions you need look no further than Malaysia and Indonesia where Islam is the official religion and other religions are treated as second class.

Try converting someone in these countries to another religion and see what the consequences are.

I wonder what Lord Buddah would say to these monks who are clamoring for official status.

I don't think Buddah would ever encourage a monk to get involved in "things of this world".

Monks who march in the streets and hold signs in protest need to go back and read the teachings of Buddah.

[jumnien]

If you want to see some countries that have official state religions you need look no further than Malaysia and Indonesia where Islam is the official religion and other religions are treated as second class.

Try converting someone in these countries to another religion and see what the consequences are.

I wonder what Lord Buddah would say to these monks who are clamoring for official status.

I don't think Buddah would ever encourage a monk to get involved in "things of this world".

Monks who march in the streets and hold signs in protest need to go back and read the teachings of Buddah.

I'm sympathetic to what you are staying and my intuition tells me Buddhism is best left out of politics. However, the great Thai monk Ajahn Buddhadasa taught that an "engaged buddhism" hopefully leading to a dhammic socialism is a noble effort to work towards. His teachings are the most popular and most revered of all in Thailand. A blanket banning of monks issuing political statements or engaging in political activity seems unskillful.

[cdnvic]

Will muslims object? Unlikely, they would declare Islam the official religion had they have sufficient numbers. If the clause is included in the Constitution it would include the rights of all other religions, too.

So why hasn't that happened in places like Indonesia where they have an overwhelming majority of Muslims in their population?

[chownah]

Wasn't there supposed to be a big march of monks and laypeople?....did it happen?

[Jai Dee]

Wasn't there supposed to be a big march of monks and laypeople?....did it happen?

Yes - see this post.

[Jai Dee]

Hundreds of Buddhist monks and lay people take part in a march from the Buddhamonthon religious complex in Nakhon Pathom to Parliament yesterday.

Nine elephants and a number of vehicles were also used in the procession.

Source: The Nation - 26 April 2007

[Mid]

Secular : Not specifically relating to religion or to a religious body

[cdnvic]

That little group hardly looks like a groundswell.

[lannarebirth]

Buddhist rally alarms Surayud

Suspicious of ulterior motive in charter call

Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont yesterday suggested that there could be an ulterior motive behind a mass rally to press for Buddhism to be recognised as the state religion in the new constitution. He said things could not be taken at face value when asked to comment on an observation that the demonstration had a hidden agenda.

The prime minister said the issue should be resolved through dialogue, adding that what appears on the outside is usually tied to backstage manoeuvring.

http://bangkokpost.com/News/26Apr2007_news01.php

[chownah]

My view is that this is reallly a non-issue and the military dictatorship running the country is using it as a way to try to convince the Muslims in the south how dedicated the gov't is at protecting their interests. By appearing to go against a popular movement to make Buddhism the state religion they hope the south will have more confidence in them. Maybe their ploy will work....but I really don't see alot of support for establishing a state religion here.

Chownah

[sabaijai]

1st Army Area Command calls for Buddhist organization not to put pressure on charter drafters

Commander of the First Army Area Command calls for the Thailand’s Buddhist Organization to stop pressuring the constitution drafters to set Buddhism as state religion.

First Army Area Commander, Lt.Gen.Prayut Chan-ocha (ประยุทธ์ จันทร์โอชา) reveals that he has instructed military and police officers as well as officials from the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) to monitor a demonstration arranged by the Buddhist organization. The demonstrators have gathered in front of the Parliament House.

Lt.Gen.Prayut also requests those who voice support for the designation of Buddhism as the national religion not to travel to Bangkok to join the rally. He expresses his belief that the demonstration would not escalate as both the constitution drafters and the National Legislative Assembly (NLA) have accepted the demonstrators’ proposal for consideration.

Source: TNA

[Plus]

Try converting someone in these countries to another religion and see what the consequences are.

I think we both know what the consequencies are in the countries that do not protect their religions - they die (the religions).

>>>

Try searching the board for a thread about Christian missionaries in Phuket and see how people reacted.

>>>

The government wants to people to exercise regularly, stop smoking, practice safe sex, but not religion? Why?