Sangha Assembly to prohibit monks and novices from driving and hitchhiking

[Lite Beer]

Sangha Assembly to prohibit monks and novices from driving and hitchhiking

BANGKOK, 10 January 2014, (NNT) --Out of concerns over a number of improper incidents reported in the past few years, the Sangha Assembly on December 8 held a meeting to consider issuing regulations prohibiting monks and novices from driving and hitchhiking.

83 chiefs and deputy chiefs of regions as well as provincial Sangha attended the event. The meeting was presided over by Somdet Phra Maha Ratchamangkhlachan, the abbot of Wat Paknam Phasi Charoen, the Acting Supreme Patriarch.

According to Phra Prommolee, assistant abbot of Wat Paknam Phasi Charoen and chief of region 5 Sangha, the assembly has considered issuing regulations prohibiting monks and novices from driving vehicles, given this inappropriate behavior has caused quite a bit of concern to many Buddhists.

Those violating the regulations will be punished. A committee will be set up to consider the punishment, ranging from warnings to 3 years suspension from titles, or, in a worst case scenario, expulsion from monkhood, said the assistant abbot.

Moreover, monks and novices are not to hitch for a lift, as there have been several reports of monks asking for money from the drivers after they reached their destination. Such behavior has created a nuisance for many Buddhists who witnessed it as well as creating an opportunity for imposters to dress as monks and commit crimes.

The regulations are alo in place to prevent damage to the monkhood's image.

-- NNT 2014-01-10

[JoeThePoster]

How's a bloke supposed to get to Pantip to buy porn then!

[coobah666]

Does that include flying in Leah Jets funny how nothing has been said about that monk in a while??????????

[ginjag]

Include smoking---drinking---sex at temples--shopping in central plaza's-- ????

I do think a good percent do as monks do, others are in temples to escape from the past-or other THINGS/REASONS.

[CelticBhoy]

The meeting was presided over by Somdet Phra Maha Ratchamangkhlachan.

Just as well it was a Sangha and not Singha get together.

Imagine trying to say that name after a few cold ones . . . . .

[55Jay]

These proposals, er, I mean consideration as possible proposals, really get to the heart of the issues.

[NongKhaiKid]

What's the chance this will actually be enforced ? Rember TIT.

There might, just might, be a lot of luxury cars coming on the market.

[Loles]

And what about helicopter and private aircraft ?

[lostmebike]

Does that include flying in Leah Jets funny how nothing has been said about that monk in a while??????????

And what about shopping at T*sco and *ig C.

What about checking girls out and giving foreigners dirty looks?

How about prohibiting monks selling amulets?

The list goes on and on....

Yes Somdit, it really happens. Not bashing, just stating the truth before you start.

[Hawk]

Nothings going to change as Thai "monks" break every rule that was ever made and will quietly continue to do as they please. Anyway, driving and hitching are just innocence pasttimes compared with the heavy stuff they get up to.

[moonao]

And prohibit them from politics as well. Only a few hours ago, one monk led armed yellow protesters into a red group and the yellows shot 3 of the reds. Its disgraceful.

Edited January 10, 2014 by moonao

[simon43]

I can't agree with the hitch-hiking rule. I often see elderly monks trying to hitch a lift on a hot day. Any 'true' monk would never ask for money..\

[khaowong1]

I personally can't see that driving or hitchhiking is a bad image. drinking, yes, flirting with women, yes. Smoking, except for it being bad for your health, no. Shopping at Pandit, c'mon. Owning private jets, vehicles, buildings, etc. yeah, that's over the top. Unless Buddhist monks go back to living in caves on the mountains, or in the forests, where the Buddha actually wanted them to live, your going to have to come up with rules that is more clear than they have now. All those temples you see around Bangkok, appear to be in it for the money. If you want to see how a temple should be run and how the monks should act.. Go visit Wat Pah Nanachat a forest temple near Udon Thani. But one thing you will see there is, 90% of the monks there are not Thai. Just saying.

[IBoldnewguy]

I'm for punishment... send transgressors straight to local hell... do not pass go or collect baht200... but not to farang hell as it's overcrowded at the moment with priests, preachers and hypocrites like I used to be... if the devil exists and I go to hell... will he punish me...? I don't think so... because I was just doing his work... maybe the devil's rewards will more enticing... perpetual goodness sounds soooo.... booooring.... but how will I know which devil I was working for... there must be at least as many devils as there are gods... now I'm ready for a nap... dare I sleep...? I may have pizzzzed somebody off upstairs or downstairs... ZZZZZZZ

[kirk0233]

Perhaps they should prohibit monks owning zoos as well.

[Big Pinkie]

Perhaps they should prohibit monks owning zoos as well.

and prohibit the feeding of dogs too