Investigation requested into monks’ light-hearted online preaching

[webfact]

 

By Panithan Onthaworn

 

Thailand’s constitution-protection body on Monday requested an investigation into a duo of monks whose online videos of Buddhist teachings have gone viral thanks to their light-hearted tone.

 

The videos posted by Phra Maha Sompong Talaputto and Phra Maha Paiwan Warawunno on Facebook livestream have “tainted the religion,” said Srisuwan Janya, secretary-general of the Association for the Protection of the Thai Constitution.

 

Srisuwan has filed a complaint to the Sangha Supreme Council (SSC), a governing body of Thai Buddhist clergy, to consider punishing and potentially defrocking the pair.

 

Full story: https://www.thaienquirer.com/32275/investigation-requested-into-monks-light-hearted-online-preaching/

 

-- © Copyright Thai Enquirer 2021-09-07

 

- Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you

- Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

[RichardColeman]

 

4 minutes ago, webfact said:

Srisuwan has filed a complaint to the Sangha Supreme Council (SSC), a governing body of Thai Buddhist clergy, to consider punishing and potentially defrocking the pair.

Guess he'll go nuts when he sees their cover of 'My Lovely Horse' !

[Enoon]

Dalai Lama not taking himself too seriously:

 

 

Try enlightening up "Mr Srisuwan Janya".

 

 

 

 

 

Edited September 6, 2021 by Enoon

[Rampant Rabbit]

You  gotta  laugh  they  peddle  a myth but want it done seriously, take it for what it really is...total  nonsense

[zzaa09]

Bit of a made up distraction, as if we don't have much more serious and important issues to tackle.

[ikke1959]

Happiness to the people

[Orinoco]

1 hour ago, zzaa09 said:

Bit of a made up distraction, as if we don't have much more serious and important issues to tackle.

Yes,  the use of sun screen killing the coral around Thailand that's why more impotent !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! LOL.

TIT,

[canthai55]

1 hour ago, Rampant Rabbit said:

You  gotta  laugh  they  peddle  a myth but want it done seriously, take it for what it really is...total  nonsense

Buddhism is a belief system, and a good one.

Believe what you want, act how you choose - let others do the same

From the quoted link:

Phra Maha Paiwan is recognized as a liberal monk who has criticized the SSC for attempting to monopolize religious teachings in Thailand and to repress the right of individuals to interpret by themselves.

 

Nothing wrong with this - except it challenges the Status Quo. Always a good thing

[ezzra]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

Thailand’s constitution-protection body

Another picky petty seat warmers department who has nothing better to do than to keep religion a serious stern and controlled business as it used to be in the dark ages, and yes, religion is type of business as without the support of the worshipers/followers/believers they will grind to a halt...

Edited September 7, 2021 by ezzra

[zzaa09]

17 minutes ago, canthai55 said:

Buddhism is a belief system, and a good one.

Believe what you want, act how you choose - let others do the same

From the quoted link:

Phra Maha Paiwan is recognized as a liberal monk who has criticized the SSC for attempting to monopolize religious teachings in Thailand and to repress the right of individuals to interpret by themselves.

 

Nothing wrong with this - except it challenges the Status Quo. Always a good thing

Sure. Nothing wrong with spiritual leaders challenging, questioning and involved in political issues - calling things out. 

Actually, a promoted practice within the Buddhist framework.

 

Ajarn Sulak Sivaraksa might be a definitive example.

[Orinoco]

51 minutes ago, canthai55 said:

Buddhism is a belief system, and a good one.

 

Yes, but not in Thailand. 

lucky lucky, lottery lottery.

me, me, me.and more me.

Money,  money,  money and some. !!!!!!!! LOL.

TIT. 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited September 7, 2021 by Orinoco

[zzaa09]

1 minute ago, Orinoco said:

Yes, but not in Thailand. 

 

Largely it is, actually. 

And practiced everyday and every moment.

Requires keen observations.

[Orinoco]

Just now, zzaa09 said:

Largely it is, actually. 

And practiced everyday and every moment.

Requires keen observations.

Not seen the saffron boys handing all the money back out. 

in this time of great need.

TIT.

 

 

Edited September 7, 2021 by Orinoco

[elcaro]

Phra Maha Sompong is a well-known preacher who is also noted for his satirical political overtones. The Sangha Supreme Council judged him guilty of expressing political opinions earlier in May.

Phra Maha Paiwan is recognized as a liberal monk who has criticized the SSC for attempting to monopolize religious teachings in Thailand and to repress the right of individuals to interpret by themselves.

 

Probably the real reason why they are being shut down

[zzaa09]

4 minutes ago, Orinoco said:

Not seen the saffron boys handing all the money back out. 

in this time of great need.

TIT.

 

 

Sorry......I was speaking about the Thai population.

I presumed you would've picked up on that.

Guess not.

[hotchilli]

1 hour ago, canthai55 said:

Buddhism is a belief system, and a good one.

Believe what you want, act how you choose - let others do the same

From the quoted link:

Phra Maha Paiwan is recognized as a liberal monk who has criticized the SSC for attempting to monopolize religious teachings in Thailand and to repress the right of individuals to interpret by themselves.

 

Nothing wrong with this - except it challenges the Status Quo. Always a good thing

Politics & religion have been and still are the biggest two evils in the world.

Just live each day as a charitable human being... forget the Brand label.

[Orinoco]

29 minutes ago, zzaa09 said:

Sorry......I was speaking about the Thai population.

I presumed you would've picked up on that.

Guess not.

Ok.

So  why does the average Joe ( Noi ) go to the temple

in Thailand.  not all but most.

1) Win the lottery. ( 6 lucky numbers)

2) Buy there way to heaven /nirvana / next life.

3) Be lucky in business.

4) A true and honest belief in Buddhism.

 

my money is on the first 3.

TIT.

 

 

 

 

 

Edited September 7, 2021 by Orinoco

[mfd101]

1 hour ago, elcaro said:

Probably the real reason why they are being shut down

Yes, on this occasion they did have funny things to say about the 2 top generals. My b/f was in fits of laughter.

 

Tsk tsk. Ridicule is the first step towards rebellion.

[khunjeff]

"Some of the monks’ posts have attracted more than 200,000 views.

 

"No one could appreciate their humorous teachings, said Srisuwan, adding that the livestreams are a tool for exploitation."

 

Evidently there are at least 200,000 period who can appreciate their humor, even if Srisuwan can't.

[Misterwhisper]

Oh, shut up, Srisuwan, you huffing and puffing hypocrite! As if Buddhism weren't "tainted" thousand- if not ten thousand-fold in this country every single day.

 

How about the Supreme Patriarch getting himself chauffeured around in a vintage Mercedes-Benz, for example? Why not pounce on that?

 

Or visit Fortune Town and observe monks shopping for expensive mobile phones -- though they are supposed to not possess any material goods (or cravings) at all, the "holy men" they allegedly are.

 

And what about lottery tickets being sold on the grounds of literally every temple and senior monks even dispensing "winning numbers" to worshippers, thereby actively encouraging gambling? Is that NOT "tainting" Buddhism?

 

According to the article.... "In a phone call debate between the monk duo and Srisuwan televised on Channel 3,  Phra Maha Paiwan said 'allow some humour into your life, and do not treat laughter as deadly,'..."

 

If that's the lightheartedness that offends that reactionary fool Srisuwan so much, maybe he should go get a cue or two from the Dalai Lama who is world-renowned for his lightheartedness.

 

[canthai55]

4 hours ago, Orinoco said:

Yes, but not in Thailand. 

lucky lucky, lottery lottery.

me, me, me.and more me.

Money,  money,  money and some. !!!!!!!! LOL.

TIT.

You are describing the people who profess to be Buddhist

That is not Buddhism

 

Same same as the Roman Catholic church, sitting on piles of gold, priceless works of art, and their priests asking peasants in the countryside to donate to the Church. People who live in ghettos and do not have enough to eat, or afford to send their children to school.

Can you spell Hypocrisy -

Edited September 7, 2021 by canthai55

[Moonlover]

So happiness is frowned on in the 'LAND OF SMILES' is it?

 

I wonder what the people of Bhutan would have to say about that.

[Orinoco]

18 minutes ago, canthai55 said:

You are describing the people who profess to be Buddhist

That is not Buddhism

 

Same same as the Roman Catholic church, sitting on piles of gold, priceless works of art, and their priests asking peasants in the countryside to donate to the Church. People who live in ghettos and do not have enough to eat, or afford to send their children to school.

Can you spell Hypocrisy -

Shame,  you felt the need to bring the Roman Catholic church into it. But I put all Religions and Cults into the same big Dustbin.

 

 

 

 

 

Edited September 7, 2021 by Orinoco

[webfact]

NOB investigates after two online monks crack political jokes amusing 200,000 Thais

 

REUTERS file photo for reference only

 

Thailand's media reported that the National Office of Buddhism was not amused after two celebrity monks attracted 200,000 of the faithful to a wise-cracking online session at the weekend.

 

Phra Maha Sompong and sidekick Phra Maha Praiwan went live on Facebook where they engaged in humorous banter about current affairs and the political situation.

 

However the conservatives at the NOB thought the giggling and soliciting of donations was not appropriate activity for men of the Saffron Cloth.

 

A senior abbot will be investigating but many thought it was a great way to reach more people, especially the young as the broadcast contained much Thai slang used by teenagers. 

 

Monk Praiwan said after that the program was to bring Buddhist teachings and the religion closer to the people and bridge a widening gap between lay people and temple activity. 

 

However more staid members of the Buddhist community like activist Srisuwan Janya of the Association for the Protection of the Thai constitution disagreed.

 

He was quoted as saying that "dhamma" should be formally taught and not be used by monks online as some kind of comedy routine.

 

ASEAN NOW notes that the activity of monks in Thailand causes much mirth anyway, so why get hot under the collar about a bit of light relief!

 

-- © Copyright  ASEAN NOW 2021-09-07

 

- Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you

- Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

[ArcticFox]

9 hours ago, webfact said:

The videos posted by Phra Maha Sompong Talaputto and Phra Maha Paiwan Warawunno on Facebook livestream have “tainted the religion,” said Srisuwan Janya, secretary-general of the Association for the Protection of the Thai Constitution.

Is the Secretary-general of the APTC a Buddhist scholar?  Sounds like a sour, dour old man.

The monks are not serious enough?  Sompong.  Lay off the lemons they're skewing your reasoning.  If the monks are making Buddhism interesting for the laity as well as younger people - then it's best to butt out.  It's like saying that if you make learning fun that it's no longer serious.  I know farang Forest Monks who crack jokes all the time.  Get real.

[Rampant Rabbit]

6 hours ago, canthai55 said:

Believe what you want

In which case you  may as well believe in anything at  all, gravity  isnt real and when you step  off the 10th  floor ( insert  mythical being )  will save you, the truth /facts is  all that matters and it doesnt care about belief.

[Rampant Rabbit]

1 hour ago, canthai55 said:

Can you spell Hypocrisy -

Yeah, ANY religion.

[kg1947]

Ajaarn , please enlighten us the Non Buddhist masses ......

too much seriousness already .....

[Mac Mickmanus]

6 hours ago, canthai55 said:

 

 

Nothing wrong with this - except it challenges the Status Quo. Always a good thing

 

5 hours ago, Orinoco said:

 

me, me, me.and more me.

Money,  money,  money and some. !!!!!!!! LOL.

TIT. 

 

 

 

 

 

Are you challenging Status Quo by singing an ABBA song ?

[klauskunkel]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

activist Srisuwan Janya of the Association for the Protection of the Thai constitution

Him again. Now branching out to actively protect the Thai religion. From there it's just a short step to protect Life, the Universe and Everything. Go for it..., but smoke some weed first.

Edited September 7, 2021 by klauskunkel