Thai Monks Banned From Department Stores

[george]

Monks banned from department stores

BANGKOK: -- Buddhist monks and novices have been effectively banned from department stores and markets following a huge number of public complaints over their consumerist behaviour.

Although the directive from the National Buddhism Office is officially only a letter of warning, monks will be expected to visit department stores and markets only when ‘appropriate’.

Mrs. Chularat Boonyakorn, director of the Office of the Sangha Supreme Council, the highest council for the Buddhist clergy, stressed today that the warning did not represent a ban, but said that her office had received a large number of letters and complaints from the public about monks who frequented shopping centres, particularly those selling CDs and tapes.

“We understand that the intentions of some monks are good. They’re just going to look at computers, and they don’t have any other intentions. But people perceive them as being crowded out (in shopping centres). Both women and men have made complaints”, she said.

“This is not an iron rule or an outright ban…but we have to look at what’s appropriate and what will uphold Buddhist morals”.

Hinting that monks might be looking at pornographic materials, she cited the case of members of the Buddhist clergy visiting Pantip Plaza, where, she said ‘several types of CD are on sale’.

-- TNA 2004-10-29

[castelleone]

Moral of the story?

Monks are human beings like you and me....! Who wants to throw the first stone?

[Phil Conners]

Not about throwing stones. If you can't be a monk don't be a monk, simple really.

[Totster]

Buddhist monks and novices have been effectively banned from department stores and markets

Well it's about bloody time....!!

totster

[raybkk]

They even frequent at Pantip Plaza. For sure not only for buying Computers. What they need computers for anyway?! Well maybe they do need computers. However aren't they being sponsored by the Government

[chingy_]

Not about throwing stones. If you can't be a monk don't be a monk, simple really.

exactly, nobody ask you to be a monk, if you decided to be one act like one, i feel very funny seeing a monk next to me buying a fake CD.

[raybkk]

Not about throwing stones. If you can't be a monk don't be a monk, simple really.

exactly, nobody ask you to be a monk, if you decided to be one act like one, i feel very funny seeing a monk next to me buying a fake CD.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

What kind of CD?! Hehe

[shemmy]

Yes Monks are men , like you and me,, but they represent a higher moral authority,,, yes forgiveness is devine, but adressing this issue in the bud is the correct thing to do before (not saying this has a simmilar corelation) the situation of Catholic priests and inappropriate behavior evolves in the budist church ... I commend the budist higherarchy for addressing this issue now rather than later............comments?

[penzman]

They may have misunderstood... It`s Nong Nat , not Monk Nat.

[kat]

Yes Monks are men , like you and me,, but they represent a higher moral authority,,, yes forgiveness is devine, but adressing this issue in the bud is the correct thing to do before (not saying this has a simmilar corelation) the situation of Catholic priests and inappropriate behavior evolves in the budist church ... I commend the budist higherarchy for addressing this issue now rather than later............comments?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Yes, except that historically, Thailand has been complaining about the lack of discipline in their monks since at least the 19th century.