Social Uproar Over Young Monk's Same-Sex Relationship Status on Facebook

[webfact]

 

The online community unleashed a barrage of criticism against a young monk from the 'City of Elephants' after he updated his Facebook status to indicate a relationship with another man.

 

Clarifying the situation, the monk insisted their interaction was merely through chat and they had never met, thus not violating any monastic precepts nor contemplating disrobing to cohabit, reported Daily News.

 

Picture: Daily News

 

On November 8, media reported a social scandal involving a Buddhist monk whose Facebook post, featuring his name and image in monastic robes, declared a romantic involvement with another male user. The post, which attracted wide commentary on its appropriateness, was traced to a monk at the Red Lotus Pond Temple in Tha Tum, Surin Province.

 

Reporters visited the temple, a serene establishment with 21 resident monks, and spoke to the 33-year-old monk in question, ordained for over a year. He confirmed his status, stating that they began their courtship on July 29 and communicated solely through private messages for 3-4 months, without any misconduct.

 

Picture: Daily News

 

Having posted similar updates previously without such backlash, the monk expressed that he never meant to provoke such a response, stressing that he did not breach any monastic discipline. He has since deleted the post out of respect for his friend, who has forgiven him, and for fear of negative repercussions.

 

The temple's abbot, Phra Maha Manat Manto, acknowledged the incident and counseled the monk, emphasizing the importance of monastic discipline. He maintained that no transgression occurred, as no physical actions had taken place, and any judgment should be reserved until full facts are ascertained.

 

Top Picture: Daily News

 

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[2baht]

    Monk he see, monk he do!

[Pique Dard]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

the monk insisted their interaction was merely through chat and they had never met

 

...lesson learnt! you would certainly have met one day if you hadn't published the nature of your relationship on social networks.

 

[edwinchester]

Remarkable that so many people are outraged over harmless actions that will have zero impact on themselves.

[ikke1959]

there is so much a need to recognize samesex relations.... but this Government again will not do it I am sure... promises but no actions

[hotchilli]

9 hours ago, webfact said:

Having posted similar updates previously without such backlash, the monk expressed that he never meant to provoke such a response, stressing that he did not breach any monastic discipline. He has since deleted the post out of respect for his friend, who has forgiven him, and for fear of negative repercussions.

Sometimes it's best to just zip-it... 

[mfd101]

5 hours ago, edwinchester said:

Remarkable that so many people are outraged over harmless actions that will have zero impact on themselves.

Agreed, but equally remarkable that anyone - let alone a monk - would conduct their romantic affair on the public parts of the internet!

 

Asking for trouble.

 

[PETERTHEEATER]

Warning! Don't even think about disrobing to cohabit. Concerned citizens are everywhere. 

[soalbundy]

Discretion seems to be a forgotten art these days, especially in the LGBT community, personal relationships are a private matter, no need to bore a disinterested public.

[Purdey]

For goodness sake which century is this? 

[RobU]

8 hours ago, ikke1959 said:

there is so much a need to recognize samesex relations.... but this Government again will not do it I am sure... promises but no actions

Its not about a 'same sex relationship' Thais are extremely tolerant of that. It's the fact that he is a monk and monks are not supposed to have relationships with women or men, they are supposed to remain celibate

[ikke1959]

15 hours ago, RobU said:

Its not about a 'same sex relationship' Thais are extremely tolerant of that. It's the fact that he is a monk and monks are not supposed to have relationships with women or men, they are supposed to remain celibate

Monks are supposed not to have money, not to smoke, not use drugs, no have women... and no have sex that they all do tooo??

[RobU]

53 minutes ago, ikke1959 said:

Monks are supposed not to have money, not to smoke, not use drugs, no have women... and no have sex that they all do tooo??

 

53 minutes ago, ikke1959 said:

 

I don't understand, what are you trying to say? I responded to a rather stupid comment that this furore was because of a possible same sex relationship, which is definitely not true

Edited November 10, 2023 by RobU
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