Buddha forbids state oversight of temples' coffers, Buddhist group claims

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Buddha Forbids State Oversight of Temples' Coffers, Buddhist Group Claims
By Khaosod English


Soldiers confiscated nearly one million baht in cash and several firearms during a surprise raid on a Buddhist temple in Sukhotai province, 26 Sept 2014.

BANGKOK — Disciples of a prominent Buddhist saint in northeastern Thailand have denounced a proposal that would allow the state to investigate treasuries of Buddhist temples across Thailand.

The activists submitted their complaint to the junta-appointed National Reform Council (NRC) at the Parliament House today.

Buddhist monk and conservative hardliner Buddha Issara previously asked the NRC to draft a law that would allow the Office of Auditor-General to view the bank accounts of all Buddhist temples. Buddha Issara argued that the measure would promote transparency.

But Piruedee Pawabhunanand, the representative of the Buddhist group opposed to the plan, said it would amount to an unlawful intervention into religious affairs by the state.

"The properties of the monks are donations from the people, which were given out of noble faith," Piruedee said. "Any interference is a violation of Lord Buddha's teaching and sabotage against the religion."

She continued, "The keeping of monks' properties should be the monks' duty. The monks should take care and investigate the matters on their own. Lord Buddha did not allow laymen to interfere with the authority of the monks."

Full story: http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1416401264&typecate=06&section=


-- Khaosod English 2014-11-20

[chooka]

Welcome to the new Thailand Budha where you also will drop at the feet of the dear leader.

[The stuttering parrot]

Buddhist monk and conservative hardliner Issara!

Whatever happened to him being investigated by the authorities on all the actions he took prior and during the protests six months ago?

Oh that's right he's a conservative hardliner or in other words a yellow dem who gets a free pass from the powers to be just like his mate sutep who is hiding behind monks robes.

A conservative hardliner Buddhist monk who is a disgrace to to the religion.

I hope the Buddhist council disrobes him which they should have done months ago!

[Somtamnication]

They must have watched all the Jim Bakker evangelism videos. There should be oversight on all religious coffers.

[ChrisY1]

There must be billions floating around the temples of this country.........and definately, yes....there should be oversight.........

There's more and more case of wealthy monks, abbots and the like......we even had a sister driving a Porche around not long ago............

[chatette]

``The properties of the monks are donations from the people, which were given out of noble faith."

Right: In noble faith they can wash their black money through the opaque pit with complete impunity, and wallow in the non-Buddhist and superstitious notion that they'll benefit in this life or the next incarnation from their contribution.

According to research by Nada Chansom of the National Institute of Development Administration cited by award winning journalist Sanitsuda Ekachai, 37,075 temples nationwide receive between 100 -120b baht in donation money each year.

Abbots have total control of this tax-free temple money with no monitoring from the Supreme Sangha Council nor from any government agencies.

The draconian Sangha Bill should be overhauled to end the clergy’s shamefully feudal system which is deeply authoritarian and corrupt.

[ezzra]

Thailand's constitution is not based on Buddha teaching like the sharia laws, therefor,

all institutions in Thailand falls under the current laws, no exemption, you can however

be exempt from paying taxes under a certain privileges but you must be still and obey

the Thai law...

[Bob12345]

Buddhist monk and conservative hardliner Issara!

Whatever happened to him being investigated by the authorities on all the actions he took prior and during the protests six months ago?

Oh that's right he's a conservative hardliner or in other words a yellow dem who gets a free pass from the powers to be just like his mate sutep who is hiding behind monks robes.

A conservative hardliner Buddhist monk who is a disgrace to to the religion.

I hope the Buddhist council disrobes him which they should have done months ago!

I would have supported your opinion 100%, but the wording of the article makes me rethink this monks actions:

"Buddhist monk and conservative hardliner Buddha Issara previously asked the NRC to draft a law that would allow the Office of Auditor-General to view the bank accounts of all Buddhist temples. Buddha Issara argued that the measure would promote transparency."

He seems to be the only one who is in the camp of the coup makers who actually wants change/improvement/transparency. They all state they want that, but he is the only one who asks for laws to regulate the field he is in instead of only pointing somewhere else while raising hell when their own turf gets touched.

[BritManToo]

"She continued, "The keeping of monks' properties should be the monks' duty. ........"

SHE???????

When did Buddha start allowing women to be monks or religious spokespersons?

[Tatsujin]

She continued, "The keeping of monks' properties should be the monks' duty. The monks should take care and investigate the matters on their own. Lord Buddha did not allow laymen to interfere with the authority of the monks."

It's the fox guarding the hen house then, much like the way Government and State Agencies, Police, etc are run here also.

Piruedee obviously isn't bothered that (some) monks are using those publicly-donated monies to fund their lavish lifestyles.

[jdinasia]

"She continued, "The keeping of monks' properties should be the monks' duty. ........"

SHE???????

When did Buddha start allowing women to be monks or religious spokespersons?

She is not a monk.

Women have been ordained since the time of the Buddha, though the line of ordained nuns in the Thai Sangha died off. There are 2 groups that do ordain nuns in Thailand.

The laity may both belong to religious groups and be spox for them. Gender isn't the issue.

[gopis108]

L.Buddh also forbids the slaughter of animals and the eating of their carcasses -but virtually no-one in Thailand ,including the monks, follow that one,although they are very clever at making up excuses why they dont have too.and that should just be common sense-especially for a monk.Flesh eating in the vedic culture is allowed only by warriors before battle to make them more fierce,and they must hunt and kill the animals themselves.Domestic animals could never be killed and eaten,of course we are speaking of a civilized society.

[robblok]

Buddhist monk and conservative hardliner Issara!

Whatever happened to him being investigated by the authorities on all the actions he took prior and during the protests six months ago?

Oh that's right he's a conservative hardliner or in other words a yellow dem who gets a free pass from the powers to be just like his mate sutep who is hiding behind monks robes.

A conservative hardliner Buddhist monk who is a disgrace to to the religion.

I hope the Buddhist council disrobes him which they should have done months ago!

Parrot change your tune, where is he mentioned in this report ?

As for the article, the Buddhist temples should be under state supervision as I am sure there is a lot of fraud and money laundering going on.

[2fishin2]

I had an "experience" with a local wat near CM last year. It was at a local village out in the country about an hour south outside the city. Hung out with the "local" monks for about an hour while gf visiting old monk friend. Wat in total disrepair, Cigarette butts, bbq grills, beer cans and trash everywhere in their living area. TV, computer, and questionable girly mags round out the list. Just like in other countries, religion is a joke.

[tomyummer]

Apparently Lord Buddha never envisioned Thai monks, Ray-Bans, Louis Vuitton, Porsches, and private jets.

[RustBucket]

Seems apt.

Heavenly Bank Account by Frank Zappa.

[thesetat2013]

Doesnt lord buddha also go against havin worldly possessions like apple computers and the latest cellphones? These monks should practise what they preach

[Krataiboy]

Religion poisons everything.

[robblok]

Religion poisons everything.

Correct.

[seajae]

well after seeing these so called monks flashing their designer accessories, helicopters, cars etc it is way past time that the govt be able to check them out. All this is, is an attempt by these "monks" from gaining a great deal of wealth for themselves or being found out, besides, monks are not supposed to be concerned with any wealth, sems they dont like being caught out fiddling the books. Time to send in the cleaners and remove the temptation from them to become dishonest and not worthy of being monks.

[JacChang]

""The properties of the monks are donations from the people, which were given out of noble faith," Piruedee said. "Any interference is a violation of Lord Buddha's teaching and sabotage against the religion."

She continued, "The keeping of monks' properties should be the monks' duty. The monks should take care and investigate the matters on their own. Lord Buddha did not allow laymen to interfere with the authority of the monks.""

And I'm sure lord Buddha also allowed guns and pornos as evident from past news. If nothing to hide, why scared of searches?

[ratcatcher]

Buddhist monk and conservative hardliner Issara!

Whatever happened to him being investigated by the authorities on all the actions he took prior and during the protests six months ago?

Oh that's right he's a conservative hardliner or in other words a yellow dem who gets a free pass from the powers to be just like his mate sutep who is hiding behind monks robes.

A conservative hardliner Buddhist monk who is a disgrace to to the religion.

I hope the Buddhist council disrobes him which they should have done months ago!

Parrot change your tune, where is he mentioned in this report ?

As for the article, the Buddhist temples should be under state supervision as I am sure there is a lot of fraud and money laundering going on.

Buddhist monk and conservative hardliner Buddha Issara previously asked the NRC to draft a law that would allow the Office of Auditor-General to view the bank accounts of all Buddhist temples. Buddha Issara argued that the measure would promote transparency.

Would that be the monk to whom Parrot is not referring?

[robblok]

Buddhist monk and conservative hardliner Issara!

Whatever happened to him being investigated by the authorities on all the actions he took prior and during the protests six months ago?

Oh that's right he's a conservative hardliner or in other words a yellow dem who gets a free pass from the powers to be just like his mate sutep who is hiding behind monks robes.

A conservative hardliner Buddhist monk who is a disgrace to to the religion.

I hope the Buddhist council disrobes him which they should have done months ago!

Parrot change your tune, where is he mentioned in this report ?

As for the article, the Buddhist temples should be under state supervision as I am sure there is a lot of fraud and money laundering going on.

Buddhist monk and conservative hardliner Buddha Issara previously asked the NRC to draft a law that would allow the Office of Auditor-General to view the bank accounts of all Buddhist temples. Buddha Issara argued that the measure would promote transparency.

Would that be the monk to whom Parrot is not referring?

What a fail for parrot but they are dumb animals and this one even stutters.

Seems his enemy wants to get things transparent.

[Lupatria]

"Any interference is a violation of Lord Buddha's teaching and sabotage against the religion."

Didn't we forget the tiny little but rather inconvenient fact that according to Buddha's teaching monks are not allowed to touch money at all?

[binjalin]

so she has special insight into Lord Buddha then? quiet the reserved little minx isn't she

[OmarZaidMD]

It's simple, everything they take in needs redistribution to those in real need.

[Ulic]

Lets start with Buddhist temples Bank accounts and then the Vatican accounts next.

[jpeg]

Flesh eating in the vedic culture is allowed only by warriors before battle to make them more fierce,and they must hunt and kill the animals themselves.

Well that makes them as ignorant as THAI 'Buddhists'. http://www.quotegarden.com/vegetarianism.html

[harryfrompattaya]

There must be billions floating around the temples of this country.........and definately, yes....there should be oversight.........

There's more and more case of wealthy monks, abbots and the like......we even had a sister driving a Porche around not long ago............

I am surprise that nobody realize this money belongs the Rothchild Bankers as they control all money in the world

[jonesthebaker]

Believe it or not Buddha was not a Buddhist and did not call for the stting up of temples and places of worship - so i can not see how he would have specifically stated that he: 'Lord Buddha did not allow laymen to interfere with the authority of the monks'.