Netizens irate after photos of monks working out goes viral - Top monk says "don't show off"

[webfact]

Sanook Thai Caption: Not wrong but inappropriate

 

Sanook reported on widespread comment and some outrage after pictures of a group of monks working out went viral on Thai social media.

 

A monk had posted the snaps on "Buddhist News" on Facebook saying that he recognized that some clergy were a bit porky under their saffron robes.

 

And they stood a chance of developing non-communicable diseases such as diabetes. 

 

So he consulted some fitness gurus in an effort to get them in shape and staff from the local health authority stepped in to show them how to use the various machines. 

 

Picture: Sanook

 

It emerged after the initial post that the monks were pumping iron at Wat Huay Pla Kang in Chiang Rai in the far north of Thailand and that the equipment had been donated by the Buddhist flock.

 

But online condemnation was swift with many netizens saying it was not appropriate for monks to be doing this as it was not part of their duties. 

 

Others thought what was the problem - monks sit down a lot of the time and need exercise like the rest of the population.

 

Picture: Sanook

 

Respected monk Phra Phayom Kanlayano of Wat Suan Kaew in Bang Yai, Nonthaburi - a go-to abbot for the press when comments are needed who commented on a recent outburst from Prayuth Chan-ocha when he referenced the Buddhist religion over electricity prices - gave his comments to Sanook.

 

He said that while it was not wrong it was inappropriate for the monks to be sharing pictures like this.

 

He admonished  the clergy and said that they shouldn't be showing off.

 

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[frankie machine]

get a life, "netizens'.   some people like to take care of their body as well as their mind.   not everyone wants to look and feel like a beached whale, sprawled on the sofa and watching soap operas all day.  

[Kerryd]

Funny because (supposedly) Kung <deleted> was started in China after an Indian (Buddhist) monk noticed that the Chinese monks were lazy and fell asleep during lessons.

Supposedly he instituted an exercise routine to help the monks get in shape so they could better focus on their learning.

Those routines eventually led to the development of a martial arts style which then spread throughout China as monks migrated from temple to temple over the years. Over the centuries, different styles were developed in different regions of the country until there were dozens, if not hundreds, of different styles as each temple developed their own versions.

I've noticed a lot of monks in Thailand that could benefit from an exercise routine. In Pattaya they are given so much stuff they simply can't eat it all. They have to have people in cars and motos follow them around to carry all the extra food and stuff they get each morning.

[sead]

As if you all thought that Prawit, Prayuth etc was the only irrational people

[JCCR6]

Doesn’t anyone question how these donations are funded in Pattaya? Monks with their hands out to bar girls in the mornings - what acts took place the night before so those donations could be made  ????

49 minutes ago, Kerryd said:

In Pattaya they are given so much stuff they simply can't eat it all. They have to have people in cars and motos follow them around to carry all the extra food and stuff they get each morning.

[wombat]

My suggestion is do like the fireman do produce a calendar 

[Bim Smith]

Our local temple has an outside gym that locals and monks alike use. The outrage is nonsense. 

[dallen52]

Have pics of the local ones on the mobile phone and having the odd smoke.

They need some physical activity...

They get driven everywhere and food for free.

[khaowong1]

I agree with everyone on here, mostly.  Monks should probably be getting some exercise.  Just don't post the dang pictures on the internet. 

[sammieuk1]

They need to be more athletic to sprint away from young girls washing lines I suppose ????

[AsianAtHeart]

Monks are supposed to eat nothing solid after noon.  It's hard to see how they would become corpulent that way.  It basically limits them to two meals a day, and nothing anywhere near bedtime.

 

And I thought monks got exercise while out walking every morning, and while cleaning and maintaining the grounds of the wat.  Practical activity is more wholesome than lifting iron.

[RichardColeman]

22 minutes ago, wombat said:

My suggestion is do like the fireman do produce a calendar 

you suggesting naked monks with a tiny bit of saffron ? Ewwwww............

[klauskunkel]

Getting ready for Mister Monk Thailand 2023

[Bobydog]

34 minutes ago, AsianAtHeart said:

Monks are supposed to eat nothing solid after noon.  It's hard to see how they would become corpulent that way.  It basically limits them to two meals a day, and nothing anywhere near bedtime.

 

And I thought monks got exercise while out walking every morning, and while cleaning and maintaining the grounds of the wat.  Practical activity is more wholesome than lifting iron.

Just an observation from personal experience, to just walk will help with blood circulation etc but without putting some effort into walking, other benefits would not be gained. With that in mind, seeing a Monk walking briskly in public would not be a good look and jogging is totally out of the question. 

[spidermike007]

It seems that the primary activity of netizens these days is to express displeasure and be critical. And that is a worldwide phenomena. Why shouldn't monks be able to work out? How can they stay healthy and give clear advice and wisdom without a clear head, which one gets from working out? What is the issue? Or is this just another case of making something out of nothing? 

[Orinoco]

Even monks can't control themselves.

Oh look at me, please look at me.

Sad bunch.

Get back to your important book reading and stop playing on smart phones.

or maybe  get a real job.

 

 

[Tropposurfer]

Why not invite Shaolin monks from China to teach them some chi kung martial arts exercises that'll strip the fat off them quick-fast.

[daveAustin]

3 hours ago, frankie machine said:

get a life, "netizens'.   some people like to take care of their body as well as their mind.   not everyone wants to look and feel like a beached whale, sprawled on the sofa and watching soap operas all day.  

Disagree. Do you know what Buddhism is? One that speaks to others about how one should not live one’s life should not desire to look good. 

[rak sa_ngop]

1 hour ago, AsianAtHeart said:

Monks are supposed to eat nothing solid after noon.  It's hard to see how they would become corpulent that way.  It basically limits them to two meals a day, and nothing anywhere near bedtime.

I once visited a wat in the afternoon and saw with my own eyes how a favourite drink of the monks was a few large spoons full of sweetened condensed milk mixed 50:50 with hot water and drank. This was permitted. Not hard to see why monks have trouble keeping their weight down.

[JohnHans]

Exercise is allowed but showing off is not.
 

The Five Precepts that are important are:

• Refrain from harming living beings (eating meat)
• Refrain from taking that which is not freely given
• Refrain from sexual misconduct
• Refrain from wrong speech; such as lying, idle chatter, malicious gossip or harsh speech
• Refrain from intoxicating drink and drugs which lead to carelessness (smoking)

Cigarettes and eating meat of any kind are not allowed in teachings so these should be the areas lay people could focus on and avoid giving them in alms to the monks, the public should be educated about something they should already know.

[frankie machine]

59 minutes ago, daveAustin said:

Disagree. Do you know what Buddhism is? One that speaks to others about how one should not live one’s life should not desire to look good. 

i work out 2-3 hours a day.  and it's not to look good.  

[chang1]

1 hour ago, daveAustin said:

Disagree. Do you know what Buddhism is? One that speaks to others about how one should not live one’s life should not desire to look good. 

How come they are allowed to eat or drink? As that fulfills there desire to look good - being dead is not a good look.

How do differentiate monks who exercise to fulfill their desire to look good and those that only want to be healthy?

Just because it has the side effect of making them look good does not necessarily mean that is why they do it. 

Those videos may have been released to encourage other monks to be more healthy. I have not seen them so can't comment, but maybe they were trying to look better than the next monk.

 

[roo860]

2 hours ago, RichardColeman said:

you suggesting naked monks with a tiny bit of saffron ? Ewwwww............

The Full Monty springs to mind!

????

[shackleton]

No problem with the Monks wanting to get in shape good for them????

Don't put photos out to the media you can expect a  back lash 

Of comments especially if its a slow news day ????

[MikeN]

3 hours ago, AsianAtHeart said:

Monks are supposed to eat nothing solid after noon.  It's hard to see how they would become corpulent that way.  It basically limits them to two meals a day, and nothing anywhere near bedtime.

 

And I thought monks got exercise while out walking every morning, and while cleaning and maintaining the grounds of the wat.  Practical activity is more wholesome than lifting iron.

The monks at our local forest wat only eat once per day, and walk about 6km on their alms round, but there are still a few that are overweight, the problem comes from the junk food they are given. It is easier to buy packaged food, or make something that is quick and easy...usually fried. Both lead to obesity and diabetes.

 As the monk in the OP said, exercising is one thing but they shouldn’t be posting on social media.

[Bday Prang]

1 hour ago, JohnHans said:

Exercise is allowed but showing off is not.
 

The Five Precepts that are important are:

• Refrain from harming living beings (eating meat)
• Refrain from taking that which is not freely given
• Refrain from sexual misconduct
• Refrain from wrong speech; such as lying, idle chatter, malicious gossip or harsh speech
• Refrain from intoxicating drink and drugs which lead to carelessness (smoking)

Cigarettes and eating meat of any kind are not allowed in teachings so these should be the areas lay people could focus on and avoid giving them in alms to the monks, the public should be educated about something they should already know.

There is no obligation for monks to be vegetarian or to refrain from smoking, That is your own incorrect interpretation  

[prakhonchai nick]

If the monks need exercise, they should keep their Wats clean and tidy. Instead, the "faithfull" are expected to go with brushes, brooms and  disinfectant once every few weeks to do thir dirty work!

[hotchilli]

9 hours ago, webfact said:

A monk had posted the snaps on "Buddhist News" on Facebook saying that he recognized that some clergy were a bit porky under their saffron robes.

A healthy body is a healthy mind... let them keep fit.

[Caldera]

I rather feel inclined to condemn those "faithful" laymen who feed their monks cheap junk food without any concern for their health and well-being. Seen it far too often. 

[androokery]

5 hours ago, JCCR6 said:

Doesn’t anyone question how these donations are funded in Pattaya? Monks with their hands out to bar girls in the mornings - what acts took place the night before so those donations could be made  ????

Well the bar girls' work is far more honourable than that of the monks... So where should the question be directed?