Businessman Boonchai urges all followers to show up at Wat Dhammakaya to “practise dhamma”

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Businessman Boonchai urges all followers to show up at Wat Dhammakaya to “practise dhamma”



BANGKOK: -- Wellknown businessman Boonchai Bencharongkul has appealed to followers of Wat Dhammakaya to go to the temple to “practise dhamma” in order to help free Phra Dhammachayo from all the bad things and to bring peace to the country.

Mr Boonchai made the appeal in his appearance on the temple’s DMC channel on Saturday.

The businessman said he believed all the followers of the temple were fully aware of what had happened to their abbot, Phra Dhammachayo, last Friday and would like to invite them to come to the temple to practice dhamma to extend their kindness so that the bas things which are happening to their abbot would disappear.

He admitted that Phra Dhammachayo is very meaningful to them “because, if there is no Luang Por (Phra Dhammachayo), there won’t be us”. “Luang Por is like the guiding light for people of the world,” he said, adding “peace will be restored in the world if everyone sits down for meditation.”

Boonchai called on all followers “as many as possible and if they can come from the whole country” to show up at the temple for “our biggest dhamma practice” so that “the power of peace will take place and bring happiness to the country.”

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/169323-2/


-- Thai PBS 2016-06-20

[Raymonddiaz]

Hahahaha , hahaha,and hahah

[Lannig]

This is becoming interesting. Not sure there are that many followers upcountry, IMO it's mostly a Bangkok middle and upper-class thing, but if they manage to really gather hundreds of thousands of people there, this would become a serious challenge to the junta's authority.

I'm getting the popcorn...

[Thechook]

His joking right? Luang por or Phra Dhammachayo is the guiding light for the people of the world? He has to be kidding or he is a complete numbskull. He may be a guiding light for the thieves, fraudsters, money launderers, liars and other assorted criminals but definately not the rest of the world.

Edited June 19, 2016 by Thechook

[Bluespunk]

Freeze the temple's bank accounts.

Seize their assets.

Do the same to all those who support their stance against the legal investigation of this sect's involvement in a fraud that left many people financially destitute.

Take all monies seized and distribute it to those affected by the fraud.

See how long this allegedly fraudulent and apparently very wealthy holy man is considered worth protecting then.

Edited June 19, 2016 by Bluespunk

[smedly]

this man should be arrested for trying to encourage people to break the law, I wonder has he used the temple cleaning service in the past, and for those that advocate complete free speech - here is a fine example of what it brings in Thailand - idiots like this encouraging conflict

the whole thing is now turning political, what a train wreck this country is, they don't deserve democracy they are just not mature enough for self determination

time to move in with force using water cannon and a lot of trucks to arrest these people

enough is enough is enough

[Somtamnication]

Start making phone calls on DTAC buddy, 'cause those green coloured hummers are around the corner!!

[sharecropper]

I believe there must be some solid evidence about this laundering scam, as many others are similarly implicated.

Much as I dislike that these idiots are following the Number 1 Rule of Thai Law (namely to rush to defend the indefensible and obstruct the cause of Justice when one of yours is fingered - Red Bull heir, black Merc driver, Tollway minivan teenager killer - all their families did it too), I'm amused at their ability to completely outfox this clueless military government and to show the world yet again that Thailand is indeed a Failed State.

Neighbouring countries need never worry about having a war with Thailand...

[Wilsonandson]

This is becoming interesting. Not sure there are that many followers upcountry, IMO it's mostly a Bangkok middle and upper-class thing, but if they manage to really gather hundreds of thousands of people there, this would become a serious challenge to the junta's authority.

I'm getting the popcorn...

Hit the nail on the head!

The very people who supported the new government versus the new government. Fractures, cracks are slowly appearing in the new administration. Now both sides of the coin are tarnished it will certainly mean hard times ahead for the PM.

Some sort of agreement between the two camps should be made. Before this episode erupts into something more ugly.

Don't make a drama out of a crisis.

More fuel for the fire, pls!

[Berty100]

Don't know the " well known" businessman, but maybe it's advisable that he also get investigated concerning this case.

[Bluespunk]

Start making phone calls on DTAC buddy, 'cause those green coloured hummers are around the corner!!

Good.

He should be arrested for encouraging others to prevent the lawful investigation of this man's involvement in this fraud.

[Winniedapu]

“Luang Por is like the guiding light for people of the world,”

"This Thai leads the world"

"That Thai is the light of the world"

"Thais invent cure for cancer, AIDS, Ebola, Dengue..."

Thais continue to have very poor perspective. They seem to believe they are rasther more important in the world than they really are.

I suppose it's another Thai education system failing...

Winnie

[The stuttering parrot]

Didn't they make a comment saying he won't surrender until the country returne to demrocacy?

Then doesn't protest constitute a gathering of more than 5 people?

If so then if the government can arrest a guy for eating a sandwich or arrest people for the hunger games salute and bang up uni students for having a voice then surely this is a significant show of weakness by the government.

[Tompa]

Don't know the " well known" businessman, but maybe it's advisable that he also get investigated concerning this case.

He's only one of the richest in Thailand

[Strangebrew]

It must be very dark having your head shoved up your butt all the time. Only in Thailand the Hub of stupid statements.

[thesetat2013]

this man should be arrested for trying to encourage people to break the law, I wonder has he used the temple cleaning service in the past, and for those that advocate complete free speech - here is a fine example of what it brings in Thailand - idiots like this encouraging conflict

the whole thing is now turning political, what a train wreck this country is, they don't deserve democracy they are just not mature enough for self determination

time to move in with force using water cannon and a lot of trucks to arrest these people

enough is enough is enough

As much as I hate to agree! In this instance I think they need to raid this place and arrest all who block them immediately before this is turned into a holy war with that monk's followers. He has already tried the political trump card. The only thing he has left is the religious one.

[Winniedapu]

Calling in the troops. Another showdown on the horizon.

Yet more opportunities for this pathetic government to show their mettle. Or lack thereof. They surely can't be aware of the fact that people are laughing at them, or they'd stop doing it the way they're doing it...

Winnie.

[Alive]

See Wat Dhammakaya made this fellow rich! The money as merit for more money magic works! Well, for some anyways. Just like those GT200s! You'll see it when you believe it!

[NongKhaiKid]

If there's no charge of Incitement in Thai law I'm sure the junta could find something suitable BUT this is a rich, powerful and well connected individual just as the abbot is rich, powerful and well connected so this precludes positive action.

I know the solution, just keeping talking about it. They're all experts at making it look as if something's being done whereas the exact opposite is happening.

If you don't make a decision you can't make the wrong one so no loss of face.

[canuckamuck]

An awkward struggle to see who is more above the law.

[Winniedapu]

See Wat Dhammakaya made this fellow rich! The money as merit for more money magic works! Well, for some anyways. Just like those GT200s! You'll see it when you believe it!

You may be right, but the good Phra (allegedly) embezzled/misappropriated/diverted donated funds, assumed to have been given freely.

The army rorted the public purse for personal enrichment when they bought (and defended the purchase of) the GT2000 magic boxes, and now wants to claim the money back from the seller in the UK (presumably not the kickbacks bit of it, but hey, these are Thais so who knows? Perhaps they're just that cheeky and venal).

The two things are not the same at all.

Thais just can't resist the smell of money, they'll do anything to get more...

Edited June 20, 2016 by Winniedapu

[SOUTHERNSTAR]

Nothing to do about crime, but about who becomes the head of the religion in the country. Will it be the monk that loves fancy cars in the TS camp or another one in the camo camp. Most of the high ranking ones are corrupt but your political camp decides who gets the top jobs.

[waldroj]

Many Westerners must be left scratching their heads over the comments by Boonchai in support of his “guiding light for the world”.

Especially when he also suggests “peace will be restored in the world if everyone sits down for meditation”.

This only adds strength to Rudyard Kipling’s observation that:

”…Oh, East is East and West is West, and never the twain shall meet,

Till Earth and Sky stand presently at God's great Judgment Seat…”

But, as a long-suffering DTAC-shareholder, I only hope that the company’s board members do sit down and do some meditation - about the suitability of Boonchai to remain its chairman. Particularly as others are suggesting that his remarks could be construed as a violation of Article 189 of the Criminal Code.

[hookedondhamma]

These followers bend over for their abbot because they believe he is an arahant monk. With the ability to brainwash them so easily, the abbot probably thinks he's one himself as well.

Unfortunately dhammikaya is here to stay. When pigs fly and the abbot runs off to another country he'll still have followers ready to give him the first born. Scammikaya

[Eric Loh]

This really turn things on his head. Boonchai Bencharongkul is highly critical of Thaksin policies and now in the same camp as Thaksin? Or the myth about the wat owe its allegiance to Thaksin is busted? So the Wat is not really Red. Lots of red faces ihere who keep harping on the wat pivot to Thaksin and the Red theory.

[klauskunkel]

“the power of peace will take place and bring happiness to the country.”

The country is happy already...., that's no earthquake, that's the whole country shaking with laughter and mirth. Thailand says: "There's never a dull or boring moment here compared to other countries, and that's because of my dear, unique Thai people. They provide me with so much quality entertainment, I don't mind their constant littering at all!"

Edited June 20, 2016 by klauskunkel

[SOTIRIOS]

.....wacko.....

....'bad things'.....not people....not their criminal actions....

[JingerBen]

This really turn things on his head. Boonchai Bencharongkul is highly critical of Thaksin policies and now in the same camp as Thaksin? Or the myth about the wat owe its allegiance to Thaksin is busted? So the Wat is not really Red. Lots of red faces ihere who keep harping on the wat pivot to Thaksin and the Red theory.

Interesting point... and relevant.

To what extent - if any - is Wat Dhammakaya a front for the Reds?

Thaksin has been silent on the issue, unless I've missed something.

Is he the ​eminence grise ​in this showdown, or is he really uninvolved?

No, it's never dull in Thailand, that's one of its charms.

Edited June 20, 2016 by JingerBen

[Winniedapu]

This really turn things on his head. Boonchai Bencharongkul is highly critical of Thaksin policies and now in the same camp as Thaksin? Or the myth about the wat owe its allegiance to Thaksin is busted? So the Wat is not really Red. Lots of red faces ihere who keep harping on the wat pivot to Thaksin and the Red theory.

That may stem from the rather naive belief that Thaksin is responsible for all the ills of Thailand. This view is usually the result of a Thai (who enjoys a close relationship of some kind) telling them that. The KittyKat motivation is very strong. Ulterior motives 'r' us.

W

[tuanku]

Didn't they make a comment saying he won't surrender until the country returne to demrocacy?

Then doesn't protest constitute a gathering of more than 5 people?

If so then if the government can arrest a guy for eating a sandwich or arrest people for the hunger games salute and bang up uni students for having a voice then surely this is a significant show of weakness by the government.

Like any bully they are reluctant to take on a significant threat.

And many of the supporters of this cult are also supporters of the other personality cult used to justify the military intervention so they would be pissing off their own people.