PM says further discussions needed to decide whether monks can own assets

BANGKOK, 19 February 2016 (NNT) - Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha has instructed Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam and Minister Attached to the Office of Prime Minister Suwaphan Tanyuwattana to resolve legal conflicts over monks’ ownership of assets.

Gen Prayut said more deliberations must first be sought from relevant agencies before it can be concluded whether any regulations governing monks should be amended. Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Gen Prawit Wongsuwan said the problem should be left to the Buddhist clergy.

Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Army Gen Teerachai Nakvanich declined to comment whether Mr. Jatuporn Prompan, a former leader of United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship, was involved in selecting the next Supreme Patriarch.

He also declined to comment about a mass Buddhist monk gathering at the Buddhist park Phutthamonthon. Gen Theerachai urged anyone who wants to find out more about the incident to ask the National Office of Buddhism.


-- NNT 2016-02-19

I thought one of the principle of Buddhism was to not have assets....

I thought one of the principle of Buddhism was to not have assets....

Still in today's world they need assets. I know monks that can carry all their belongings with no problem and have no money but what happens that day when they get sick, even a monk should get a health insurance because there is no such thing as free health care in Thailand any more. So monks need some assets for everyday things like travels, seeing the doctor, medicines, phones, computers, books and so on that in the past would not have been needed.

Monks like Luang Phor Koon and Luang Ta Maha Bua made a lot of money but put it back in to the community thru temples, schools, hospitals, roads and so on. Compare them to other monks that keep a lot of money and assets just for their own benefit...

A foreigner living as monk in Thailand will also need to keep assets for his visa and extensions of stay as that cost as much for them as it cost for the rest of us and it's even more important with a healt insurance for them as the don't fall under the 30 Baht healthcare system that is available for Thais.

I thought one of the principle of Buddhism was to not have assets....

Remember seeing a Monk using a ATM in Pantip Plaza last year...

I thought one of the principle of Buddhism was to not have assets....

Still in today's world they need assets. I know monks that can carry all their belongings with no problem and have no money but what happens that day when they get sick, even a monk should get a health insurance because there is no such thing as free health care in Thailand any more. So monks need some assets for everyday things like travels, seeing the doctor, medicines, phones, computers, books and so on that in the past would not have been needed.

Monks like Luang Phor Koon and Luang Ta Maha Bua made a lot of money but put it back in to the community thru temples, schools, hospitals, roads and so on. Compare them to other monks that keep a lot of money and assets just for their own benefit...

A foreigner living as monk in Thailand will also need to keep assets for his visa and extensions of stay as that cost as much for them as it cost for the rest of us and it's even more important with a healt insurance for them as the don't fall under the 30 Baht healthcare system that is available for Thais.

Few are talking about this level of asset.

It could however be argued that even the requirement for health care is tying them to this life. Personally I do not agree with that.

Assets for the enrichment of hppiness such as cars or even Music systems and tvs could be questioned though.

What's to discuss? Buddhist monks are not supposed to own assets, as simple as that.

I have no problem with a monk owning a tooth brush, a drinking glass or a few sandals, because these possessions can hardly be considered as "assets".

it's becoming a little murkier if monks own smartphones or other electronics, as these gadgets can be expensive.

But it is absolutely inconceivable that a monk - and especially an abbot! - should own even a car, or considerable amounts of land or cash or buildings or hold company shares of any kind. These are assets in the sense of the word.

This should apply to "full-time" monks only, of course. I don't think "temporary" monks - as most Thai males spend some time as a monk at least once during their lives - should be expected to sell off their assets just because they're going to join the monkhood for a few months.

Make the choice, pal. You are either a monk and practice no attachment, or you are not a monk and can have whatever you can afford to buy or go into debt for.

Ummm.... What does Buddha's teachings say about this? Try following these instead of making up new arbitrary self-serving rules.

Many of the worlds ''splinter religions'' are organized due to the members not wanting to follow the strict rules that were the guidelines to daily living under the orginal religious concept. If your desired lifestyle does not fit the mould as demanded by the old school scholars, find or organize one that does. Or in some cases just ignore the rules that you disagree with and continue living under protection of the church .

I see monks at shopping malls all the time. Where do they get the money ?

Ummm.... What does Buddha's teachings say about this? Try following these instead of making up new arbitrary self-serving rules.

New arbitrary self-serving rules are the status quo here.

regulations governing monks

Is a concern of the government/ junta?

That explains a lot about his knowledge of the teachings of Buddha. Are they really that hard to understand for someone who grew up with army rules and regulations?

Just men in orange robes! Applying Thai Buddism

Thai Buddhism is a long ,long,......way from the original concept.

regards Worgeordie

...now I have heard almost everything.....

Father Ted hits the nail on the head....

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ptd_h0dF7NE

regulations governing monks

Is a concern of the government/ junta?

My thoughts exactly.

I thought one of the principle of Buddhism was to not have assets....

Still in today's world they need assets. I know monks that can carry all their belongings with no problem and have no money but what happens that day when they get sick, even a monk should get a health insurance because there is no such thing as free health care in Thailand any more. So monks need some assets for everyday things like travels, seeing the doctor, medicines, phones, computers, books and so on that in the past would not have been needed.

Monks like Luang Phor Koon and Luang Ta Maha Bua made a lot of money but put it back in to the community thru temples, schools, hospitals, roads and so on. Compare them to other monks that keep a lot of money and assets just for their own benefit...

A foreigner living as monk in Thailand will also need to keep assets for his visa and extensions of stay as that cost as much for them as it cost for the rest of us and it's even more important with a healt insurance for them as the don't fall under the 30 Baht healthcare system that is available for Thais.

In Chiang Mai there is a hospital for monks they can use, they get travel money from the abbot where they stay or family

I thought one of the principle of Buddhism was to not have assets....

Remember seeing a Monk using a ATM in Pantip Plaza last year...

And where do the ipads come from that I have seen them using at Suvarnbhumi airport? That is probably what the PM is concerned about.

In USA recently someone tried to rob a Buddhist monk who was buying $350 of Powerball tickets.....but the monk won out and bought his tickets...they really need some standards for their level of "poverty". Maybe this will happen after the Mercedes incident.

Religion is a business just as any other, the only difference is they are selling salvation, or convincing the rich they can indeed buy a stairway to heaven.

What business is it of a general mingling in monk business ?

Where the money come from?

Donations use for personal enrichment?

As long there are no clear accounting rules for tempels, the missuse for personal benefits are not excluded.

What business is it of a general mingling in monk business ?

Don't worry - the Saffron Mafia has far too much invested in its assets and power structure. No way will they roll over and accept the Junta's opinions.

The current power struggle at the top is just a symptom of the need to preserve the assets and power base.

Ummm.... What does Buddha's teachings say about this? Try following these instead of making up new arbitrary self-serving rules.

Hmmmm.....Show me any "religion" that has adhered to the original principles and I will show you a flying pig !

I thought one of the principle of Buddhism was to not have assets....

Remember seeing a Monk using a ATM in Pantip Plaza last year...

On a daily basis seeing them at Tuk-Com buying top of the range Iphone and Ipads....

there should be no discussion

A good Buddhist monk should not have assets...... or handle money

I thought one of the principle of Buddhism was to not have assets....

Still in today's world they need assets. I know monks that can carry all their belongings with no problem and have no money but what happens that day when they get sick, even a monk should get a health insurance because there is no such thing as free health care in Thailand any more. So monks need some assets for everyday things like travels, seeing the doctor, medicines, phones, computers, books and so on that in the past would not have been needed.

Monks like Luang Phor Koon and Luang Ta Maha Bua made a lot of money but put it back in to the community thru temples, schools, hospitals, roads and so on. Compare them to other monks that keep a lot of money and assets just for their own benefit...

A foreigner living as monk in Thailand will also need to keep assets for his visa and extensions of stay as that cost as much for them as it cost for the rest of us and it's even more important with a healt insurance for them as the don't fall under the 30 Baht healthcare system that is available for Thais.

In Chiang Mai there is a hospital for monks they can use, they get travel money from the abbot where they stay or family

Yes, there is one in Lopburi also, but they only serve Thai monks, foreigner monks have to pay cash. Kasset Tak has it correct.

Monks, by taking vows to adhere to a Buddhist's monk's life, are shedding 'assets'. If a monk has assets, the monk needs to shed the robes and go back to being a layman.

Why does ot require discussion when Buddha's teachings clearly state that a buddhist monk can't and shouldn't possess anything?

So tired of this Thai hypocrisy...