Surin Is Seeking Cooperation From Buddhist Forest Monasteries For Its Reforestation Project

[Jai Dee]

Surin is seeking cooperation from Buddhist forest monasteries for its reforestation project

Surin province in the Northeast is arranging for Buddhist monasteries located in the forests to help in its reforestation project.

Chaiwat Hengsanankul (ชัยวัฒน์ เฮงสนั่นกูล), chief of Surin’s Natural Resource and Environment Office, said the cabinet resolution issued on April 18, 1995, requires Buddhist temples or monasteries in forest areas to take part in forest conservation and reforestation.

Mr. Chaiwat said the surveys found 47 forest monasteries had been set up without permission, five in forest reserves and 42 others in land reform zones. Some of them have already sought permission to stay legally in those areas, he said.

Mr. Chaiwat said his agency, the Religious Affairs Department and the Sangha Council will work together to get cooperation of these forest temples in the reforestation project.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 28 June 2006

[chownah]

Asking/forcing the Forest Temples to help in some endeavor is perhaps an issue that should be debated in the Buddhism forum as well as here. the Thai Forest Tradition follows the Buddha's teachings in a very strict way and I believe that Forest monks do not take part in social endeavors....that is why they are Forest monks. I would not be surprised if this is an attempt to restrict their freedom and autonomy....which could destroy them....maybe I'm wrong about this.

[sabaijai]

I think more details are needed to fully assess the intention here. One interpretation of the news might be that it means forestlands inside forest monasteries will be protected like public forests in general. Forest monasteries are not always particularly strict; I know of more than a few with the designation wat paa (forest monastery) that are nominal at best. I also know of one famous wat paa I'd rather not name which has, after many years of quiet existence, begun a sudden rash of new construction under a new abbot, cutting down trees to make room for many new buildings. The construction may in fact be a good idea, I don't know the details there either, but I suppose one intention for the Surin proposal is to make woodlands in forest monasteries part of the national assets.

On the other hand it could be a ploy to get forests in wat paa under the jurisdiction of the notoriously corrupt Forestry Dept.

Hard to say without more facts.