Buddhist authority chides sea-cruising Thai monks

[webfact]

Buddhist Authority Chides Sea-Cruising Monks
By Teeranai Charuvastra
Staff Reporter


Monks on a sightseeing trip near Koh Laoya in Trat province. Photo: Chayathon Robrujane / Facebook

TRAT — The national Buddhist authority clarified that sightseeing in coral reefs and swimming are forbidden by Buddha’s teachings, if you’re a monk.

The warning came after photos spread on Facebook of monks on an excursion off the coast of Trat. The head of the Office of National Buddhism in that province said such fun is banned under Buddhist dogma, which prohibits monks from enjoying recreational activities.

“It’s considered a minor arbat,” said Santi Dinmuang, referring to a Pali word for a monk transgressions. “But in the eyes of society, it’s deeply inappropriate.”

Facebook user Chayathon Robrujane posted the photos Jan. 24 and said he spotted the ship full of monks near Koh Laoya. The monks were about to dive into the sea when he saw them, he wrote in a post that was removed by Thursday afternoon.

Santi, the head of Trat’s Buddhist authority, said he asked boat operators in the province about the incident. They told him the monks were from different temples in Bangkok traveling together. He added that he did not know which temples.

Full story: http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1453973480&typecate=06&section=


-- Khaosod English 2016-01-29

[halloween]

Swimming is forbidden. Drowning optional?

[NongKhaiKid]

It can't be against Buddhist dogma as we all know monks here never break the rules.

Did they take their lucky dolls to enjoy the day out too ?

[daoyai]

what could be weong with swimming?it is as natural as walking, religion ruins everything,

[Somtamnication]

"he wrote in a post that was removed by Thursday afternoon." Say what?

[metisdead]

An offensive post has been removed.

[SOTIRIOS]

....the key word is 'austerity'....

...going on vacation or holiday.....does not fall under that category...

[englishoak]

Dont get it....you become a monk to cast off the worldly distractions then go do them anyway..

Yea ok.A monk you aint pal

[trogers]

Perhaps a short cut to Nirvana is hidden with the City of Atlantis...

[ratcatcher]

I could only see what I thought was maybe one female in a black tee shirt. I am shocked there were no bikini clad babes cavorting with the lads.

What hypocrisy again. Monks smoke, play football, listen to music, play video games and other distractions..

[lemonjelly]

They might just be young lads doing their "3 week monk" thing.... Maybe not worth getting too worked up about

[DrTuner]

Did Buddha even endorse monasteries? I thought he said to use your own brains, instead of creating a bog standard power hungry religious institution.

[captspectre]

if the Buddhist authority chides the "monks" than why do they not discipline them? the monk hood has been going downhill for sometime especially since 1999 when the crash hit the country and there were a lot more "young" monks on the streets than before. there have been monks busted being in bars, having sex, slapping foreigners, giving the finger to falangs that don't "donate" enough, and on and on! even see them on soi four asking for "alms"

yet the Buddhist authority just talks and does not take action! I no longer donate otr give alms to any monk that I do not know personnaly.

[manhood]

They have toooo much money to spend for things like that .....how believers still can support that!

[luckyman]

"He added that he did not know which temples."

Yeah, right ! Of course he didn't

[clockman]

More monkey business. Thai brand Buddism!

[Saan]

I could only see what I thought was maybe one female in a black tee shirt. I am shocked there were no bikini clad babes cavorting with the lads.

What hypocrisy again. Monks smoke, play football, listen to music, play video games and other distractions..

The probably do all those things because they are human.

[kimamey]

Did Buddha even endorse monasteries? I thought he said to use your own brains, instead of creating a bog standard power hungry religious institution.

Or words to that effect.

I think you're confusing the apparent teachings of Buddha with organised religion of most types which involves a group of men hijacking it for their own benefit. Or to use your very accurate description. "A bog standard power hungry religious institution"

I notice a letter was sent to boat captains explaining the rules monks have to follow. Is this because they've given up all hope of them understanding it themselves?

[ratcatcher]

I could only see what I thought was maybe one female in a black tee shirt. I am shocked there were no bikini clad babes cavorting with the lads.

What hypocrisy again. Monks smoke, play football, listen to music, play video games and other distractions..

The probably do all those things because they are human.

Quite so, but you miss the point.

Because,. " The head of the Office of National Buddhism .." said so.

[SABloke]

I could only see what I thought was maybe one female in a black tee shirt. I am shocked there were no bikini clad babes cavorting with the lads.

What hypocrisy again. Monks smoke, play football, listen to music, play video games and other distractions..

The probably do all those things because they are human.

Sure, but then choose a different career. It's like an arsonist becoming a firefighter

[55Jay]

They might just be young lads doing their "3 week monk" thing.... Maybe not worth getting too worked up about

Apparently the 3 week crash course program has been updated to include a mini-retreat holiday to the islands.

See the look on the face of the Thai guy in mask&snorkel staring at the monk, who's yelling up to his buddies to throw him down another can of Leo. Sa-nuuuuuuuk!

[Lupatria]

sightseeing in coral reefs and swimming are forbidden by Buddha’s teachings

Why? Because it does not generate money for the temple and its abbot to buy Mercedes', helicopters and private jets?

[sugarcane24]

Did Buddha even endorse monasteries? I thought he said to use your own brains, instead of creating a bog standard power hungry religious institution.

The famous Thai monk Buddhadasa Bhikkhu scorned Thailand's Buddhist estblishment. He founded the forest monastery in Suan Mokkh, which has no temple as such. BB felt that the forest was the temple and wouldn't allow Buddha statues to be erected. He would point to a rock saying "This is Buddha" because as far as he was concerned Buddha simply means nature,

When he became famous, he sent the Buddha statues that kept arriving back to their owners. It was only when one day a Buddha statue arrived without the sender's address that he allowed it to be put up somewhere on the property. When he gave discourses, he sat on a rock and his disciples on rocks arranged around him.

One time, when he was invited to Bangkok to be assigned a ranking in the Buddhist hierarchy, he declined and didn't go to Bangkok.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10208586756244310&set=a.1071743471760.12276.1171342849&type=3&theater

[Benmart]

Humans doing human things in violation of human created dogma.

[Sarathi]

Surely there are bigger things to worry about in Thailand !

Most monks are dumped into the temple for social reasons, and do not choose the path. Those with some sense put themselves through school, so they can eventually disrobe (leaving the not-so-smart ones in the temple).

There is nothing wrong with these guys taking a day out.

[callaway]

"he wrote in a post that was removed by Thursday afternoon." Say what?

So you are surprised that his post was removed because some one did not like it? OMG the irony of it all. Take a look at the very next post after yours 555555

[bangon04]

I could only see what I thought was maybe one female in a black tee shirt. I am shocked there were no bikini clad babes cavorting with the lads.

What hypocrisy again. Monks smoke, play football, listen to music, play video games and other distractions..

The Saffron Mafia has strict codes of (public) conduct, which their PR department will repeat for anyone who has the temerity to criticise then on social media and threaten Thai Buddhist Income levels.

Official: "fun is banned under Buddhist dogma, which prohibits monks from enjoying recreational activities" So remember this next time you see misbehaving young monks.

Of course this dos not apply to corporate corpulent senior figures who have earned the right to enjoy luxury cars, private jets etc through their years of devotion to the Firm. The Calling.

[sanukjim]

Buck up Thailand,this is just their way to pray for your pass into the next world.Just like those head monks are doing on a privet airplane and owners of exotic cars.

[lvr181]

"he wrote in a post that was removed by Thursday afternoon." Say what?

Yup, but too late for a cover up?

[lvr181]

More monkey business. Thai brand Buddism!

Did you mean MONKey business?