Buddhist temple left without monks after all its holy men failed drug tests

[webfact]

File photo for reference only

 

Locals are now said to be "concerned" that they cannot engage in "merit-making".

 

By MICHAEL CURZON

 

Among the four monks from the Thailand temple, located in Phetchabun province's Bung Sam Phan district, was an abbot.

 

This is the leader of a Buddhist monastery or temple.

 

District official Boonlert Thintapthai told AFP the site was now “empty”, much to the disappointment of local Buddhists.

 

He said: “The temple is now empty of monks and nearby villagers are concerned they cannot do any merit-making.”

 

Full story: https://www.express.co.uk/news/world/1704320/Buddhist-temple-news-Thailand-left-without-monks-failed-drug-tests

 

-- © Copyright EXPRESS 2022-12-02

 

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[worgeordie]

Buddhism is a good way to life your life , if you followed the teachings

of the Buddha , BUT ,in Thailand the system has been corrupted by

money ,no checks and balances ,but most religions are the same,

money and power ,which is why I steer well clear of them all. just

try to live the best I can and harm nothing or no one.  

 

regards worgeordie

[Dmaxdan]

They must have been having one hell of a party!

[ikke1959]

Holy men? I thought monks were trying to improve theirselves to break the circle of rebirth, so not holy yet...holy means adjective. ho·ly ˈhō-lē holier; holiest. : exalted or worthy of complete devotion as one perfect in goodness and righteousness..... I think that monks are not at this level already..

[jaiyen]

The villagers are concerned that they cant do merit making ! Of course they can. Just dont have to give money to the stoned monks. Why is it that monks and money go together ? 

[curtklay]

Why is it that monks and money go together ? 

 

That pretty much describes ALL religions. Like George Carlin used to say, "God always seems to need money. He just can't manage to stay on a budget."

[Aussieroaming]

Yeah the "good" monks unfortunately don't get heard over the "fake" monks, when it comes to media attention.

[RichardColeman]

7 hours ago, worgeordie said:

Buddhism is a good way to life your life ,

Aint that the truth ! Monks get free food, free housing , phones, air con, drugs , booze , women , cars, planes,  access to temple funds.....................

[thailand49]

A perfect place for all the freeloaders. 

[TheFishman1]

There are so many fake things in Thailand, TIT

[ed strong]

What a surprise and generally funded by the poor inhabitants of the local communities, hoping they get some good luck for the lottery or love...yet the only thing on the monks mind is why hasn't his dealer text him back yet.

[TheFishman1]

Hilarious

[BritScot]

7 hours ago, worgeordie said:

Buddhism is a good way to life your life , if you followed the teachings

of the Buddha , BUT ,in Thailand the system has been corrupted by

money ,no checks and balances ,but most religions are the same,

money and power ,which is why I steer well clear of them all. just

try to live the best I can and harm nothing or no one.  

 

regards worgeordie

I'm sure Siddhartha Gautama would object to Buddhism being called a religion and his spirit saddened by statues placed everywhere as he objected to both. The way you are living is correct, Buddhism is a way of life and a philosophy and from what I've read my take is its about your inner being.

[Peterphuket]

The message shows up even in Dutch news papers.

Not a good turn from the monks in LOS.

[HuskerDo2]

Monks and Catholic priests have a lot in common. They both want an easy life without applying themselves to the religious beliefs they signed up for. 

[BangkokReady]

8 hours ago, webfact said:

He said: “The temple is now empty of monks and nearby villagers are concerned they cannot do any merit-making.”

Shouldn't they be more concerned that the monks were all fake monks?  Does this mean that their previous merit making is null and void?  Can they claim back all their previous donations?

[fasteddie]

Never mind their ''merit making'', who's looking after the dogs? 

[khaowong1]

Since there seems to be a temple about every mile, I don't think the villagers will be distraught for long.  Since this temple is now empty, would be a good place to harbor some homeless. 

[gazza4]

4 hours ago, HuskerDo2 said:

Monks and Catholic priests have a lot in common. They both want an easy life without applying themselves to the religious beliefs they signed up for. 

The whole world's religions are based on the orginiser's love of power and wealth. 

My favorite target is, of course, the religions that demand that their women are designed for cooking and ****ing only. Mostly muslim <deleted> , of course. 

[cdemundo]

7 hours ago, RichardColeman said:

Aint that the truth ! Monks get free food, free housing , phones, air con, drugs , booze , women , cars, planes,  access to temple funds.....................

Same as Catholic priests "gravy train riders with a turned around collar" as Terry Malloy called them in "On the Waterfront".

[hotchilli]

21 hours ago, webfact said:

District official Boonlert Thintapthai told AFP the site was now “empty”, much to the disappointment of local Buddhists.

Maybe this "ponzi scheme" under the guise of Buddhism should clean it's act up.

[Moonlover]

14 hours ago, Peterphuket said:

The message shows up even in Dutch news papers.

Not a good turn from the monks in LOS.

Yes, it popped up on the BBC as well, in fact that's where I first read about it. This line comes from the full story:

 

''He said: “The temple is now empty of monks and nearby villagers are concerned they cannot do any merit-making.”''

 

It just shows the grip that the temple and the religion in general has over the populous. If they really do want to 'make merit' there are plenty of alternative ways other than feeding a bunch of idol layabouts.

 

Edited December 3, 2022 by Moonlover

[bangon04]

On 12/2/2022 at 2:36 PM, khaowong1 said:

Since there seems to be a temple about every mile, I don't think the villagers will be distraught for long.  Since this temple is now empty, would be a good place to harbor some homeless. 

Easy for the homeless and they just have to become monks....