Jump to content

Embezzlement Charges Against Abbot Of Wat Dhammakaya Withdrawn


Recommended Posts

Posted

Cases against the abbot of Wat Dhammakaya are withdrawn from the Criminal Court

The Criminal Court has approved the prosecution’s withdrawal of suits against the abbot of Wat Dhammakaya (ธรรมกาย) and his follower for embezzlement and negligence of duty.

Pra Dhammachayo (พระธัมมชโย) and Thaworn Promthaworn (ถาวร พรหมถาวร) were charged with unorthodox teaching and embezzling around 35 million baht of temple donations to buy land in Pichit and Phetchabun and put it under the name of Mr. Thaworn.

The prosecution, however, said the defendants were now teaching dhamma right according to the Pali Canon and returned the land and money worth 959.3 million baht to the temple.

Two other embezzlement cases and another negligence case will soon be withdrawn by the prosecution.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 23 August 2006

Taoism: shit happens

Buddhism: if shit happens, it isn't really shit

Islam: if shit happens, it is the will of Allah

Catholicism: if shit happens, you deserve it

Judaism: why does this shit always happen to us?

Atheism: I don't believe this shit

Posted

Can anyone enlighten me (no pun intended) about whether this is the same crowd that runs meditation retreats for farangs and has an opulent complex in southern Bangkok?

Posted
Does this mean that if a bank robber gives the money back the gov't will drop charges?

A bank robber in the normal sense (armed and dangerous), no, but someone who embezzles or defrauds a bank may be let go if all or most of the money is returned. I know this sounds dumb, but the bank is often so happy to get the money back that deals are made. Also true for civil cases for the same reason.

Posted

thanks for the comprehensive history...for anyone in Chiang Mai, this outfit is associated with the forest meditation retreats on offer at Middle Way meditation village. Made enquiries some time ago but opted out on discovering that no Dhamma was taught in conjunction with meditation. Focus very much on merit-making and the material wealth that accrues to those who practise meditation. Had no appeal to us at all..

Posted

It's hard not to be cynical when only a month after the temple is used for a rally of government officials a 7-year case is dropped by prosecutors because (1) the alleged embezzler gave the money back (2) he promised to teach the right Dhamma instead of the wrong Dhamma in future and (3) the case might cause "disunity."

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.



×
×
  • Create New...