Uproar over NRC panel and Buddhist reform

[webfact]

Uproar over NRC panel and Buddhist reform
JEERAPONG PRASERTPONKRUNG,
PRAPHASRI OSATHANON
THE NATION



IF COMMITTEE CONTINUES WITH ITS WORK, I BELIEVE MONKS ... WILL RISE UP, CLERIC WARNS

BANGKOK: -- A NETWORK of monks and Buddhist followers yesterday officially urged Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha to cancel within 15 days the National Reform Council (NRC) committee on the protection of Buddhism.

The move is seen as a strike back at the committee, which has openly questioned the Dhammakaya Temple, its abbot Phra Dhammachayo, and related figures.

Prayut did not directly say whether he would heed the network's demand. When asked about the issue, he said the reform of Buddhist administration had not yet started.

NRC chairman Thienchay Kirananda said he saw no reason to abolish the committee.

The Thai Network of Buddhist Organisations submitted its petition to Prayut, which details its demands via a government complaint-receiving centre yesterday. It also submitted a similar petition to Thienchay later in the day.

Phra Methi Dhammajahn, an assistant abbot of Mahathat Yuwaratrangsarit Temple and a vice rector at Mahachulalongkornra-javidyalaya University, led the network's members in submitting the petitions.

"If this committee continues with its work, I believe monks across the country will rise up," he said.

The petition said most of the committee's members were religious and political extremists.

It also pointed out that while the committee had the duty to draft a new law governing monks, it did not allow monks any participation.

'Divides will deepen in society, among monks'

On the committee are its chairman Paiboon Nititawan and several members including Chirmsak Pinthong.

"Established just a month ago, this committee has already caused so many problems," Phra Methi Dhammajahn said. "If it stays on, divides will deepen in society as well as among Buddhist monks."

Committee chairman Paiboon Nititawan has lately made clear that the panel will work on the guidelines on the management of temple funds, which are now exempt from tax.

The committee has also shown special attention to the Dhammakaya Temple and Phra Dhammachayo, who was once accused of embezzlement.

Phra Methi Dhammajahn insisted his network did not intend to protect any particular person or any particular temple. He also said he would welcome any investigation into his background as long as it was conducted with an honest intent.

Asked about reports that Phra Dhammachayo and the Sangha Supreme Council (SSC) were linked, Phra Methi Dhammajahn said: "I can't comment because I am not on the council."

His petition also demanded that Paiboon and Phra Buddha Isara, the abbot of Or Noi Temple, stop offending the council and Buddhism.

Paiboon has said lately that his committee does not agree with a resolution that the SSC passed in 2006 in favour of Phra Dhammachayo. Phra Buddha Isara, meanwhile, has called for a boycott of the SSC.

Dhammakaya Temple has decided not to comment on the uproar. Phra Sanitwong Vudhiwaso yesterday said the temple had no plan to give any interview or hold a press conference on the issue.

Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam, who is now assigned to address conflict over whether Phra Dhammachayo has already been automatically defrocked over embezzlement allegations, asked for some time to work on this case.

"But the government will be able to handle it just in some aspects. One must understand that the SSC is the highest administrative body for monks under law.

"The Cabinet cannot interfere in its work. Even administrative courts do not have authority to rule on SSC resolutions," he said.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Uproar-over-NRC-panel-and-Buddhist-reform-30254804.html


-- The Nation 2015-02-25

[NeverSure]

Edited February 24, 2015 by NeverSure

[rametindallas]

I BELIEVE MONKS ... WILL RISE UP, CLERIC WARNS

Rise up and do what, exactly? You monks are supposed to be the model of Lord Buddha's teaching. Is making threats against those who would investigate you part of Lord Buddha's teaching? Why so touchy if you aren't corrupt to the bone. .

Prayut did not directly say whether he would heed the network's demand. When asked about the issue, he said the reform of Buddhist administration had not yet started

PM Prayut is very busy now dismantling the Thaksin crime syndicate and it's affiliated gang members. He has warned the civil service to begin serving the public and not themselves. He has begun reforming the RTP and he will get around to reforming the corrupt Sangha soon. Better get your temples in order while you still have time. Money has corrupted you monks and your Karma is about to bite you in the butt. Som nom na.

If there is any justice, about 90% of you will be defrocked. I have seen, first hand, some of the cash that flows through a wealthy, prestigious temple and it is obscene considering all the poverty in Thailand and the fact that monks are supposed to have taken a vow of poverty.

[halloween]

Investigate us and you will be excommunicated and burn in hell for eternity!

Whoops, that was the Catholics.

[keith101]

when you see the same monks time after time buying new mobiles etc you have to wonder just why they became monks in the first place . most rural thais don't have as much money as some of these people but still donate to the temples.

[oneday]

Wow! This wonderful, unelected government which is supposed to bring happiness back to the Thai people

seems to be stepping on all kinds of toes.

[Lupatria]

Where is a guy like Martin Luther when you need him?

[sweatalot]

Wow! This wonderful, unelected government which is supposed to bring happiness back to the Thai people

seems to be stepping on all kinds of toes.

and rightly so!

There is nothing wrong with "unelected" governments doing the right thing

while "wonderful elected" governments did not

[seajae]

You have to wonder at the honesty of these monks when they start to threaten anyone that tries to investigate them or set limits on their financial abilities, just what are they trying to keep hidden. These so called monks are meant to follow buddha's teachings, ie, non commercial, non financial, basic living but we see them with multiple bank accounts heaps of cash, many millions of baht worth of holdings, very upmarket goodies that they own and buy, helicopters, expensive cars etc then when they are told they will be investigated they go ape sh*t and say it isnt needed or fair. It appears it is way past time that all monks were treated like everyone else and had to abide by the laws, anyone caught not doing so or not following the teachings of their religion should be charged and jailed. Its time that monks were made to actually do what they are supposed to, live ordinary lives without all the goodies they now have and collect, bet there is a huge run of them getting out of it if they are no longer able to make themselves financially well off by being a monk or living the high life.

Edited February 25, 2015 by seajae

[Srikcir]

The Thai government needs to get out of promoting and protecting ANY religion. Under a fair and balanced constitution, all faiths are equal under the law. Religious leaders are no less responsible for their activities than ANY Thai citizen and equally accountable under the rule of law.

Disband the Department of Religuous Affairs and the NRC doesn't need a Buddhist reform panel. What's next, a Muslim reform panel, a Christian reform panel, etc.?

[apetley]

Threatening to clean up the gravy train is bound to provoke the beneficiaries.

[ourmanflint]

Buddhist monks in Thailand do seem to behave like the medieval monks of Europe. They put themselves above others in public yet in private they are as debased as any. Becoming a monk is seen as a career move for many just like becoming a police or army officer, it's all about the power and the backhanders.

[lvr181]

I would think that Thailand being a secular state, that any religious order must be subject to and obey the laws of the state and not put themselves above that law?

[h90]

I BELIEVE MONKS ... WILL RISE UP, CLERIC WARNS

Rise up and do what, exactly? You monks are supposed to be the model of Lord Buddha's teaching. Is making threats against those who would investigate you part of Lord Buddha's teaching? Why so touchy if you aren't corrupt to the bone. .

Prayut did not directly say whether he would heed the network's demand. When asked about the issue, he said the reform of Buddhist administration had not yet started

PM Prayut is very busy now dismantling the Thaksin crime syndicate and it's affiliated gang members. He has warned the civil service to begin serving the public and not themselves. He has begun reforming the RTP and he will get around to reforming the corrupt Sangha soon. Better get your temples in order while you still have time. Money has corrupted you monks and your Karma is about to bite you in the butt. Som nom na.

If there is any justice, about 90% of you will be defrocked. I have seen, first hand, some of the cash that flows through a wealthy, prestigious temple and it is obscene considering all the poverty in Thailand and the fact that monks are supposed to have taken a vow of poverty.

uprising if Prayut want to check their bankaccounts.....

Well Lord Buddha's teaching......

Blessing weapons

selling amulets with specific magic properties

ORDERING meat into the temple

They outperform Lord Buddha already....in matters of profit....

[Dogmatix]

There is something very rotten in the official hierarchy of Thailand's Buddhist clergy. It oozes sleaze and corruption just like the politicians and the bureaucracy.

[Plowman]

Another fracture in the the ultra right coalition that has held back this country and its people for so long. Good.