Former follower recalls his “riches to rags” story after being inducted to Dhammakaya sect

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Former follower recalls his “riches to rags” story after being inducted to Dhammakaya sect

 

BANGKOK: -- A former follower of the Dhammakaya sect who claimed that his family went broke and broke up after they donated all their wealth to the temple showed up in front of the temple on Monday to support the planned arrest of the former abbot.

 

With a note hung from his neck which reads “Thammachayo is the sweetest, cruelest, cold-blooded hypocrite’, the 62-year old Mr Chartchai Bamrungsunthorn, a former chemical engineer at a private company, told reporters of his family’s riches to rags story after they were inducted to the Dhammakaya sect 31 years ago.

 

Mr Chartchai recalled that he had a happy family like many other families until 1985 when a cousin of his wife persuaded his family to make merits at Dhammakaya temple.

 

Ever since, he said his family, his wife in particular, regularly made donations to the temple to the extent that all their properties such as a gift shop opposite Don Meuang airport, their house in Laemthong Nives housing estate, a land plot near Don Meuang, 20 baht wright of gold bullion, bank deposits and stocks were sold out and the money raised were all donated to the temple.

 

Mr Chartchai said he bought by instalments a condominium unit on the compound of Wat Dhammakaya and has been living on food provided by the temple.

 

Full story: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/former-follower-recalls-his-riches-to-rags-story-after-being-inducted-to-dhammakaya-sect/

 

-- © Copyright Thai PBS 2016-12-13

[optad]

“Stupid is as stupid does.” – Forrest Gump

[plachon]

Sounds like Dhammachayo could exchange some useful lessons on impoverishment of devotees with the Scientologists. 

[Stargeezr]

Wow  this temple sect seems pretty cold blooded. is this temple Buddhist, or part  of Scientology.  Makes me wonder why  this temple leader  still  has  so  many

followers,  and  where  he  got  all this money  and apparent power.  It would make people a bit more

supportive of the military and such if a person like this temple leader  were arrested and taken to

jail.

Geezer

Edited December 13, 2016 by Stargrazer9889

[Sphere]

Getting rid of all material possessions is the first step towards nirvana......

[rkidlad]

I really wish 'religious' people would read their own doctrines. Money and material items, etc, have nothing to do with Buddhism. Quite the opposite. You're supposed to be happy having enough and being around the ones you love. 

 

This whole idea that you could invest in a better next life is typical of how arrogant, egotiscal and deluded many people are. But apparently we have to respect these kind of beliefs because it offers people comfort. You know what offers me comfort? Beliefs based on evidence, and not having to wryly smile at selfish religious zealots. 

[worgeordie]

Its the same with a lot of Cults, it's all about money and power.

wonder what these people are promised that makes them willingly

hand over all their assets.

regards worgeordie

[rebelplatoon]

One, amongst many, reasons why Dhammakaya is not seen as Buddhist. They lure people into all sorts of donations for enrichment of this sect. Any proper temple will tell you that any form of merit, towards the poor and needy is at least as good, if not better, than just the beautification of temple grounds.

[mercman24]

brain washing, i know people who have no money and still give "merit" to the "beggars in robes" i call them, talking to a girl yesterday, "i have to get up at the crack of dawn to visit temple to make merit. (then she never went to work as she was tired) <deleted>. was that about ? so a days pay lost, its just pittyful to watch from the sidelines, old uk saying, "charity begins at home"

[Beats56]

A fool and his money are soon parted.

 

[seadigital]

I want to donate a water buffalo to the Dhammakaya sect. Where do I sign up?

[NCC1701A]

I just got a glimpse of Tom Cruise in a black SUV entering the compound.

[NongKhaiKid]

2 minutes ago, NCC1701A said:

I just got a glimpse of Tom Cruise in a black SUV entering the compound.

Yes and when Steven Seagal turns up that completes the box set.

[NCC1701A]

17 minutes ago, NongKhaiKid said:

Yes and when Steven Seagal turns up that completes the box set.

LOL.