Monks rally at Buddha Monthon in support of Sangha Supreme Council

[webfact]

Monks rally at Buddha Monthon in support of Sangha Supreme Council



NAKHON PATHOM: - A group of Buddhist monks led by Phra Methi Thammacharn, secretary-general of Buddhism Protection Centre of Thailand rallied at Buddha Monthon in Nakhon Pathom Monday morning reportedly to pre-empt attempts to overthrow the Sangha Supreme Council.

The demonstrating monks claimed to represent networks of Buddhist monks throughout the country, including the Buddhism Protection Centre of Thailand and the Association of Buddhism Scholars.

Army troops were dispatched to the scene to keep order and participants were told not to bring their vehicles into Buddha Monthon but to walk instead.

The rally was peaceful however as no untoward incident was reported.

In recent weeks, the SSC and the National Buddhism Office have come under heavy criticisms for their refusal to order the defrocking of Phra Dhammakaya, abbot of Wat Dhammakaya as ruled by the late Supreme Patriarch for allegedly embezzling land donated to the temple by followers.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/content/151007


-- Thai PBS 2016-02-15

[tomross46]

Leave the Buddhist Sangha Supreme Council alone. This is like Italy trying to overthrow the Catholic Church. Or Iran attempting to take over Mecca. Stay out of this, it could turn into a Hornets nest, you do not want to get into.

[seajae]

trouble is these monks think they are a law unto themselves and that no one else can tell them what to do even when they have been caught out with their fingers in the cookie jar. Time for all the corrupt monks to be removed, it has become rediculous in Thailand the way they have become so corrupt, drinking, drugs, sex, multiple bank accounts and owning land as well as cars etc, this needs to end. Doesnt matter what they protest about, weed out all the ones that are doing and causing the problems and it might just settle down a bit

[Misterwhisper]

These so-called Buddhist monks are becoming increasingly feisty and much too politically involved.

[SOTIRIOS]

...refusing to defrock someone who is obviously not following or preaching what he should...

...what can one conclude from that.....

...amidst millions of solid gold Buddha statues.....

[Kasset Tak]

Leave the Buddhist Sangha Supreme Council alone. This is like Italy trying to overthrow the Catholic Church. Or Iran attempting to take over Mecca. Stay out of this, it could turn into a Hornets nest, you do not want to get into.

The problem explained like if it would be the Catholic Church...

The Pope make the decision to kick one of the bishops out of the Catholic Church because of misconduct by stealing land from the church and accepting hundreds of million in stolen money. The Pope dies and the College of Cardinals decide to ignore the Popes decision and let the bishop stay in place because the bishop returns what he has stolen.

So he has still committed offences but he don't get punished for it in any way, that's why people are criticizing the Sangha (= College of Cardinals).

[rondii]

Leave the Buddhist Sangha Supreme Council alone. This is like Italy trying to overthrow the Catholic Church. Or Iran attempting to take over Mecca. Stay out of this, it could turn into a Hornets nest, you do not want to get into.

The problem explained like if it would be the Catholic Church...

The Pope make the decision to kick one of the bishops out of the Catholic Church because of misconduct by stealing land from the church and accepting hundreds of million in stolen money. The Pope dies and the College of Cardinals decide to ignore the Popes decision and let the bishop stay in place because the bishop returns what he has stolen.

So he has still committed offences but he don't get punished for it in any way, that's why people are criticizing the Sangha (= College of Cardinals).

Geez... careful, you'll confuse the old biddies with truth and facts and they'll end up spilling their beers

[trogers]

I wonder who would be rallying in support of Buddha...

[silverado]

[Siripon]

Good , keep protesting followers of Wat Thammakai, let the public see what you're trying to hide, the Sangha ignoring the order of the late Supreme Patriarch defrocking Tammachayo, the abbot of Thammakai,, the massive transfer of funds to the temple from the cooperative in Samit Prakarn, the enormous land holdings previously in the abbot's name, the distorted teachings.

I see the red shirts Jatuporn and Mor Weng have jumped to the temple's defence, they should be ashamed of themselves.

[bill1369]

Monks, priests, rabbis, etc are all a bunch of phonies.

And whatever happened to gatherings of 5 or more people?

[Benmart]

Money is the diety that reigns supreme with many religious, superstitious and other organized followers of whatever.

[khaowong1]

When did this happen. Was it part of the demonstration at Buddha Monthon?

[Wilsonandson]

Is this Thailand or Burma?

https://youtube.com/watch?v=ld7YE_vm1Xw

https://youtube.com/watch?v=LDaKMhnInmQ

[kkerry]

Seems orange is the new yellow and red...

[silverado]

When did this happen. Was it part of the demonstration at Buddha Monthon?

Dhammakaya monks clash with troops at Buddha Monthon in Nakhon Pathom province Monday afternoon.

[webfact]

Protesting monks disperse but warn they will return if their demand is not met



NAKHON PATHOM: -- Thousands of Buddhist monks who rallied at Buddha Monthon in Nakhon Pathom on Monday dispersed in the evening after Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan agreed to accept their five-point demand, including the endorsement of Somdet Phra Maharatchamanglacharn as the supreme patriarch, for consideration.

The monks who claimed to represent monks throughout the country were led by Phra Metheethammacharn, secretary-general of the Buddhism Protection Centre of Thailand. They rallied at Buddha Monthon to show their support for the Sangha Supreme Council headed by Somdet Phra Maharatchamanglacharn or Somdet Chuang against what they charged as a plot to overthrow the council.

Earlier in the morning some of the monks were engaged in a quarrel with army troops who used trucks to block the entrance to Buddha Monthon to prevent the monks and their supporters from bringing cars into the site.

Later on in late afternoon, Phra Methethmmacharn was invited to the Government House for talks with General Prawit who was accompanied by Army Commander-in-Chief General Thirachai Narkvanich, Pol Gen Chakthip Chaichinda, the national police chief and PM’s Office Minister Suwaphan Tanyuwattana.

Phra Metheethammacharn submitted a five-point demand from the monks to the deputy prime minister for consideration.

The highlights of their demand are endorsement of Somdet Chuang, the acting supreme patriarch, as the supreme patriarch and making Buddhism national religion and writing it in the constitution. The other points of demand include non-interference by government agencies with monastic affairs and state agencies must show respect to the Sangha Supreme Council.

Phra Metheethammacharn later said that the monks would give the government time to consider their demand. He warned that they would return again if their demand was not met to their satisfaction.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/content/151053


-- Thai PBS 2016-02-16

[canopus1969]

Defrock all of them and make them get real jobs

[klauskunkel]

The other points of demand include non-interference by government agencies with monastic affairs and state agencies must show respect to the Sangha Supreme Council.

can't interfere with Dhammakaya

can't interfere with Tiger Temple

can't interfere with Jet-Set Monk

can't interfere with corrupt abbots

can't interfere with dubious "donations"

[casualbiker]

Leave the Buddhist Sangha Supreme Council alone. This is like Italy trying to overthrow the Catholic Church. Or Iran attempting to take over Mecca. Stay out of this, it could turn into a Hornets nest, you do not want to get into.

Really! The former Supreme Patriarch ordered a monk de-robed it didn't happen! Why?

[Rayk]

From the video I have seen on APT the rally did not look peaceful as has been reported.

[casualbiker]

Wow

[Rayk]

This country is on the verge on exploding in the very near future.

[never me]

This country is on the verge on exploding in the very near future.

Not long to wait now.

[khaowong1]

From the video I have seen on APT the rally did not look peaceful as has been reported.

I heard they got pretty pissed off because the Army/Police wouldn't let them onto the grounds in cars. They had to walk in. ha ha ha ha

[LannaGuy]

The other points of demand include non-interference by government agencies with monastic affairs and state agencies must show respect to the Sangha Supreme Council.

can't interfere with Dhammakaya

can't interfere with Tiger Temple

can't interfere with Jet-Set Monk

can't interfere with corrupt abbots

can't interfere with dubious "donations"

can't interfere with Phra Issara

can't interfere with Phra Suthep

can't interfere with Phra Tahann

Edited February 16, 2016 by LannaGuy

[Snackbar]

Political gathering of six or more?

[henry15]

Since Rama IV the supreme patriarch is appointed by the king. Its time Prayuth teach those Dammakau monks a lesson, let the DSI investigate that sect. In fact it would be better if they buldozered down that so called temple in Pathum Thani.

[farcanell]

In Oz... A sangha is slang for a sandwich... Which at times, can be filled with schitt

[lowbo]

...utterly ludicrous! With the exception of ISIS, don't know of a single country that adheres to the 'demands' of the religious community (if Buddhism is religion); specifically, the 'addition' of said demands to the constitution.