PM Prayut deflects criticism of NRC committee

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BUDDHISM PANEL
PM deflects criticism of NRC committee
Anapat Deechuay,
Piyanut Tumnukasetchai
The Nation

Prayut says buddhism panel has good side, amid call for probe into top monk's assets

BANGKOK: -- OBSERVERS say Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha has failed to give a positive response to calls for the National Reform Council (NRC) committee on the protection of Buddhism to be scrapped.

Headed by Paiboon Nititawan, the NRC committee drew intense criticism after it openly attacked Dhammakaya Temple's abbot Phra Dhammachayo. Several groups have demanded the prime minister scrap the committee. Some monks have even threatened to stage rallies.

When asked about the calls, Prayut said yesterday he had assigned NRC chairman Thienchay Kiranandana to look into the matter.

While the PM denied that he had tried to protect the NRC panel, he said, "The committee has its good side too. So if you think the committee doesn't do the right thing, we should discuss the issue and gradually try to resolve it."

About 50 monks from a monk-university campus in Khon Kaen province, meanwhile, lodged a petition against the committee.

They demanded it be scrapped on suspicion that Paiboon was mixing politics with religious affairs.

Paiboon was a speaker on the People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) stage during its rallies against the previous administration. Or Noi Temple abbot Phra Buddha Isara, who has also spoken out against Phra Dhammachayo, is a former PDRC co-leader.

Both Phra Buddha Isara and Paiboon have also lately - though separately - criticised the Sangha Supreme Council (SSC) for allowing Phra Dhammachayo to stay in a saffron robe.

Both insist that the monk has already been automatically defrocked because of a written statement in 1999 by the then-Supreme Patriarch.

Yesterday, Phra Buddha Isara made several moves to pressure the SSC, including submitting a petition for the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) to investigate the assets and financial transactions of one of the country's most senior monks.

The target of the requested probe is Somdet Phra Maha Ratchamangalacharn, abbot of Paknam Bhasicharoen Temple and acting Supreme Patriarch.

"I suspect he has in his possession a luxury but tax-evading vehicle," Phra Buddha Isara said. "And I believe his assets should be investigated too".

Also yesterday, Phra Buddha Isara headed to the Office of the Attorney General to demand that it explain why it dropped an embezzlement case against Phra Dhammachayo in 2006.

After the embezzlement case was dropped, Phra Dhammachayo was allowed to return to the helm of Dhammakaya Temple and was also promoted to a higher ecclesiastical rank.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/PM-deflects-criticism-of-NRC-committee-30255284.html


-- The Nation 2015-03-04

[NeilSA1]

This is a major, watershed event. Lets hope that the NRC chairman Thienchay Kiranandana has the resolve and courage to look into the matter without interference or intimidation.

Corruption in any form must be firmly discouraged and rooted out.

[CWMcMurray]

I'm with the PM on this one... If priests are corrupt, they should not be exempt from scrutiny

Especially since they are tax exempt...

In general find it repulsive that religious organizations think they are above the law

[Eric Loh]

Paiboon and Issara being PDRC leaders made this probe more than just for religious reasons.

[Homeropec]

I'm with the PM on this one... If priests are corrupt, they should not be exempt from scrutiny

Especially since they are tax exempt...

In general find it repulsive that religious organizations think they are above the law

But Prayut also thought that he was above the law to carry out the coup. Besides, investigate about the illicit wealth of some monks or temples is not the function of an PM. This task belongs to other offices that should be independent from politics interferences such as from Prayut... But the problems is that he want to control everything... sooner or later history will slap his ass..

[issanaus]

Paiboon and Issara being PDRC leaders made this probe more than just for religious reasons.

You are right that this is for more than religious reasons - the "probe" is looking at secular activates and in particular those relating to allegations of financial misconduct that is in breach of Thai laws (and the laws of most "democracies" around the world).

The Monk that you refer to is not the only, and in fact was not the first to raise concerns about Wat Dhammakaya, its management and its activities.

[Lupatria]

...they demanded it be scrapped on suspicion that Paiboon was mixing politics with religious affairs.

Next time you rob a bank, or a temple of billions and get caught red-handed don't forget to inform the authorities this was a religious affair, chances are you get away with it.

[Eric Loh]

Paiboon and Issara being PDRC leaders made this probe more than just for religious reasons.

You are right that this is for more than religious reasons - the "probe" is looking at secular activates and in particular those relating to allegations of financial misconduct that is in breach of Thai laws (and the laws of most "democracies" around the world).

The Monk that you refer to is not the only, and in fact was not the first to raise concerns about Wat Dhammakaya, its management and its activities.

As long as they stick to those reasons that you rightly stated and not try to spin that to a political angle. They should now abandon the rethoric on the PDRC stage and use their current responsibilties to bring about meaningful reform.

[Wilsonandson]

"I suspect he has in his possession a luxury but tax-evading vehicle," Phra Buddha Isara said. "And I believe his assets should be investigated too".

Hmm, tax-evading vehicle? A hybrid, solar powered? Need to look into this and buy myself one of those.

[wabothai]

Hands off military government !!!!!!

Let Buddhism take care of its own.

[Jonmarleesco]

'"I suspect he has in his possession a luxury but tax-evading vehicle ..."' I wish I could get one of those.

[Srikcir]

"the PM denied that he had tried to protect the NRC panel"

Prayut holds absolute power over all government organizations. He doesn't need to try to protect anyone. If he creates a policy body, it reflects his ideology or it is gone. But he seems to enjoy playing the facade that people in his government have some kind of independence and he exercises his power only as a happenstance.

[issanaus]

"the PM denied that he had tried to protect the NRC panel"

Prayut holds absolute power over all government organizations. He doesn't need to try to protect anyone. If he creates a policy body, it reflects his ideology or it is gone. But he seems to enjoy playing the facade that people in his government have some kind of independence and he exercises his power only as a happenstance.

Perhaps it is useful to look at the words quoted to the PM as well as the selected text.

While the PM denied that he had tried to protect the NRC panel, he said, "The committee has its good side too. So if you think the committee doesn't do the right thing, we should discuss the issue and gradually try to resolve it."

The PM can not help but be aware that there are many people who are concerned about what is claimed to be happening at Wat Dhammakaya. As one of his Ministers said in another thread in relation to the organisation "I have my background". Many of the concerns have been around for a long time but people did not feel able to discuss them publicly. In relation to Wat Dhammakaya there was not freedom of speech and even now with the change of government we can see the power and influence Wat Dhammakaya still holds.

The PM said that "The committee has its good side too" which to me would indicate that it is his view that they are doing the right thing and acting in accordance with the Buddhadhamma. As such his interference with the work of the panel is unnecessary and not helpful at this stage.

The second part of what was directly attributed to the PM was "So if you think the committee doesn't do the right thing, we should discuss the issue and gradually try to resolve it." This could be argued as being consistent with Buddhist approach in that it would appear that his view is not set in concrete (views should be lightly held) and that he would be open to discussions about the outcomes of the committees work and seek consensus on the issues..

There are a lot of comments about political interference in what is portrayed as being a religious issue. The Cannon does not have the answers to the financial affairs of Buddhist organisation (the issue is far wider than Wat Dhammakaya). That is unless the view is taken that ALL Buddhist organisations should not have any dealings with money. There is a view that is held by some that the Sangha Council has full authority and should be left to address all issues. So ask yourselves the question where does the authority of the SSC come from - The Sangha Act - which was passed by the body politic , not the body spiritual.

Edited March 4, 2015 by issanaus