Chaiyaphum governor orders monk's rescue from coffin

[webfact]

SELF-IMPOSED DEATH
Governor orders monk's rescue from coffin
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- A RENOWNED monk who was imposing his own death was rescued yesterday from a coffin at the order of the Chaiyaphum governor, who cited humanitarian reasons.

Luang Pu Phim, the abbot of Wat Weluwan in Khon San district, was taken to a local hospital after suffering from exhaustion, hydration, faintness and a heartbeat of 50-80 beats per minute.

He regained consciousness after oxygen and intravenous saline were provided at a special unit.

In media videos and photos, a team of public health officials was seen entering living quarters in the temple where a vented coffin was situated, and hauling the monk out of it. He had declared the shelter off-limits to his followers, after he entered the coffin at 9pm on Tuesday.

Dr Somsak Lohlekha, chairman of the Medical Council, had said that the monk's self-imposed death, if successful, could have been regarded as a suicide, which would have made his followers liable to a criminal offence if they failed to stop him from going ahead.

The monk had told his followers to cremate his body today at 1pm. He reportedly planned this act once a few years ago, and privately repeated it to his followers, who then spread the word via social media.

The monk, 65, reportedly told his followers not to stop him, or even to enter this shelter. Crowds sat and waited while some monks recited prayers after 9pm, before the officials entered the temple and saved him, yesterday in the afternoon.

A close follower, Kulthida Prayooncharn, said she was happy that the rescue operation was performed, as all followers wanted him alive, but no one would defy his order. She said she learned from the officials who were accompanied by police and soldiers that the governor and the provincial monastic chief had jointly decided to stop his act and rescue him.

An unnamed follower said the monk had done something similar seven years ago, and survived after spending three days in a coffin. He said it was a drill to confront death, but this time he also ordered the cremation today at 1pm, which was later extended to 4pm.

Followers and temple-goers had donated money for a temple project - the planned construction of a bridge for public use.

Another unnamed follower said he regretted that the monk's act was negatively received by the public and reported by the media. Luang Pu Phim was a modest monk who never benefited unfairly from donations, plus he never made or sold any amulets, he said.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Governor-orders-monks-rescue-from-coffin-30243018.html


-- The Nation 2014-09-11

[worgeordie]

So the coffin was vented,it was reported before that it was air tight

so i suppose that means the cremation is off today,fund raising,

publicity stunt,attention seeker,loony ,take your pick.

regards Worgeordie

[jacky54]

' a drill to confront death' if he means a thrill he should try driving on a few Thai roads, that's a drill/ thrill a minute. It's stuff like this that makes living here worth it, you certainly could not make it up, totally insane.

[robertthebruce]

I saw this Monk on Television last night, I felt sorry for him, he was quite upset and crying, I personally think he is suffering

From depression..

Poor guy...

[Robby nz]

At 65 he thinks he is old and his life should be over.

Me I want another 20 to 30 years on that.

Heck I got a mate 10 years older than him who has just been up to the Everest base camp and is looking forward to lots more adventures.

[SOTIRIOS]

....at least he wasn't laundering money......

[KhnomKhnom]

I wonder about the "suffering from hydration" but then I really read what is printed.

I see lots of Brits at bars that are really suffering from excessive hydration, but it is alcohol, so likely ok.

[Krataiboy]

It's tough trying to commit suicide by thinking yourself to death. Wonder who shifted the cremation deadline when it was realised the poor fellow was still alive? I was under the impression suicide was legal in Thailand, so presumably the good monk was "rescued" to prevent him being incinerated while fully conscious - an act which like would have resulted in those responsible for burning his body being charged with murder or manslaughter.

Since he'd done the same thing before and survived three days in his (ventilated?!) coffin, you would think he would have known that the likelihood of meeting his maker after only two days without food or water was extremely low. One would have expected him to be somewhat weak, or faint, and dehydrated (not hydrated as the report states) after two days on his back without nutrients. That said, a heartbeat of between 50 and 80 is not abnormal and my bet is the chap will be fully restored and back to lead his congregation in grateful prayer in next to no time.

Thailand may have its minuses, but one thing you can never accuse it of being is dull!

[Artisi]

What a load of xxxx, any reasonably fit, healthy and reasonably nourished person can survive for an extremely long time without food, however lack of water is a different problem but 3 days certainly wouldn't cause any major problem and certainly not death.

And besides, if his plan was to die, what's the ventilated coffin all about ?.

[DrLom]

What a load of xxxx, any reasonably fit, healthy and reasonably nourished person can survive for an extremely long time without food, however lack of water is a different problem but 3 days certainly wouldn't cause any major problem and certainly not death.

And besides, if his plan was to die, what's the ventilated coffin all about ?.

He's a Buddhist David Blaine.

[Basil B]

I wonder about the "suffering from hydration" but then I really read what is printed.

I see lots of Brits at bars that are really suffering from excessive hydration, but it is alcohol, so likely ok.

Well possibly end of next week you will have to ask them if they are British or Scottish while conducting your survey.

[connda]

The fine line between being an Arahant and just being mentally disturbed (or just ego bound). He should know better. Declaring that he was going to enter 'mahasamadhi' which is against the Vinaya precepts of declaring that one has supernatural power. Then he ends up looking foolish. Buddhism really doesn't need exhibitionists. Imho.

Edited September 11, 2014 by connda

[mca]

And besides, if his plan was to die, what's the ventilated coffin all about ?.

Maybe his wish for his final meal consisted of a plate of spicy larb and he didn't want to shuffle of this mortal coil inhaling his own silent but deadlies.