POLICE CRACKDOWN:

'Criminals in saffron' targeted

Rogue monks, beggars, swindlers top list

The government will crack down on "criminals in saffron robes", including monks who solicit funds and construct Buddha images without permission.

Deputy Prime Minister Vishanu Krua-ngam made the announcement yesterday at a seminar to solve problems related to rogue monks and their untoward practices.

About 1 per cent of monks tarnish the monastic institution by failing to abide by religious regulations and principles, he said, but the government could not take immediate action against them because they are under the jurisdiction of senior monks in each province.

The National Buddhism Office can only act when the chief monk in a province fails to take action, he added.

"Many criminals are ordained into the monkhood. Some are able to transform themselves into good citizens but some continue committing crimes and damage the image of monks and Buddhism. We have to check this problem,'' he said.

Vishanu said it had been discovered that a bank account set up by a monk ostensibly to collect donated funds for his Bangkok temple, had no connection with the temple. "I have ordered the Anti-Money Laundering Office to investigate and press fraud charges,'' he said. Vishanu instructed related agencies to keep a close watch on temple managers and monks' followers who take advantage of sick abbots.

"Some temple managers did not give money to the construction contractors who were hired to build their temples and the abbots were sued,'' he said.

He also vowed to take drastic action against abbots who order the construction of huge Buddha images or temples without permission, saying the construction is often sub-standard, creating a danger of the images collapsing on nearby villagers' houses.

Vishanu also instructed TV Channel 11 to produce more religious programmes, including five minutes of Buddhist preaching after morning and evening news shows.

The deputy prime minister also floated a proposal to establish a non-government agency and hire a professional team to manage the assets of temples across the country. The agency would work under the supervision of monks, he said.

--The Nation 2003-12-11

..........soon the end of mecedes or bmw monks.....?

Yes a board to look after Buddhist affairs would be good. The formation of such a board to manage temples, images and functions would be good to ensure that worshippers are properly expended for religious intents.

The end of mercedes and BMW monks? Let's put it this way the layman sometimes spoil the monks in the hope of receiving merit. It is within the conscience of the monk to accept them too. I have seen a Catholic priest with golf club membership too. Morally right or wrong? Who are we to judge?