The power struggle behind Thailand's temple row

[webfact]

The power struggle behind Thailand's temple row

By Matthew Tostevin and Cod Satrusayang

REUTERS

 

Buddhist monks stand in front of soldiers between a wire barricade at Dhammakaya temple, in Pathum Thani province, Thailand February 23, 2017. REUTERS/Chaiwat Subprasom

 

BANGKOK (Reuters) - A stand-off between security forces and monks atThailand's biggest temple has exposed a struggle as much about power as religion in the predominantly Buddhist country, where the junta has shut down dissent since a 2014 coup.

 

For the past week, some 4,000 police and soldiers have surrounded the Dhammakaya temple, which practices a form of Buddhism at odds with conservatives. It is widely seen as linked to the populist movement of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra - which the temple firmly denies - and its size makes it increasingly influential.

 

Dhammakaya has created the most visible challenge to the authorities since the coup by refusing for months to hand over its former abbot - wanted for money laundering - and by frustrating a police search.

 

"It is trying to create unrest and subverting state power," said Paiboon Nititawan, a former senator appointed by the military to a council on solvingThailand's problems.

 

Thai society traditionally has three pillars: nation, monarchy and religion.

 

Dhammakaya is of a different scale to over 40,000 other temples. Its headquarters outside Bangkok covers nearly 10 times the area of the Vatican and is completed by a UFO-shaped golden temple dome. Since 1970, it has established over 90 branches in 35 countries.

 

The temple runs television stations, slick websites and active social media accounts. It holds choreographed ceremonies of tens of thousands of people.

 

Yet Dhammakaya's millions of adherents are still a minority within Thailand's almost entirely Buddhist population.

 

MEDITATION AND MONEY

 

Its fundraising has made Dhammakaya much richer than other temples - and angered critics who say it has deserted Theravada Buddhist teachings to shun material possessions.

 

Parallels are drawn to China's Falun Gong and Turkey's Gulenists. Both were fast growing religious groups using modern methods, which were suppressed when their influence grew too great.

 

A spokesman for the Department of Special Investigation said the government's aim was only to bring in the temple's influential former abbot, Phra Dhammachayo, in a way that respects Buddhism.

 

The temple says the 72-year-old monk is very ill and has not been seen for months.

 

It questions charges against him, some of which relate to money allegedly embezzled from a credit union that lost hundreds of millions of dollars. Monks say they have cooperated fully with the search.

 

"We have never been involved in any political affairs," said Phra Pasura Dantamano, a senior monk.

 

"Every project we have conducted is transparent. If anyone fears a threat, it’s only those who obtained power improperly," he said. "All we do is teach monks, teach self discipline, meditation. Is that wrong?"

 

The temple rejects any link to former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra or his 'red-shirt' followers. Weng Tojirakarn, a red shirt leader, also told Reuters there was no link.

 

Regardless, both groups represent newcomers whose power threatened - or could threaten - the establishment's hold.

 

Dhammakaya is explicit that giving brings merit. When that "bears fruit", it brings more wealth, which means more donations - to support Buddhist activities.

 

Such activities have expanded Dhammakaya's influence.

 

By helping temples in hard times, it has brought dozens into its orbit. That in turn increased its support on the Sangha religious council, Buddhism's governing body.

 

Critics say its influence grew too great.

 

"Nirvana is for sale and the more you give, the better you become," said Mano Laohavanich a former Dhammakaya monk but now a strong critic. "It’s like a parasite, which has taken control of Thai Buddhism."

 

Three members of the Sangha council declined to comment on Dhammakaya. So did the government's National Office of Buddhism.

 

SHOWDOWN

 

The showdown for control began last year when the Sangha recommended a candidate for Supreme Patriarch with links to Dhammakaya and was under investigation over taxes on a vintage car.

 

The junta rejected that candidate. Then, when the new king took the throne in December, the law was changed to let him choose a patriarch and ignore the Sangha's wishes.

 

Four days after a new patriarch, chosen from Thai Buddhism's more austere fraternity, was installed the junta declared emergency powers over Dhammakaya.

 

The problem for police is how to pass through chanting, saffron-robed monks when violence against them would be taboo.

 

Police have raised the pressure with more forces, rolling out razor wire and threatening more temple leaders with arrest.

 

The temple's adversaries believe charges of scandal and the scenes at the compound will at least discourage Thais from joining Dhammakaya. Longer term, other steps are being considered.

 

"Assets owned by the Dhammakaya Foundation should be transferred to the temple and the leadership of the temple needs to change," said Paiboon, the former senator. "Someone outside the temple must be appointed to steer the temple back to the right path."

 

(Additional reporting by Panarat Thempgumpanat; Editing by Bill Tarrant)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2017-02-24

[clockman]

The Thais stole Buddhism from India, Then perverted it suit there greed.!

[AGareth2]

the only opposition to the govt

?

[greenchair]

And there's the truth of it. 

 Nothing to do the klong tan corruption. That was just a means to an end. 

[colinneil]

This so-called temple, is just a cover for criminal activities.

Brain washed idiots thats all these people are.

[scorecard]

17 minutes ago, greenchair said:

And there's the truth of it. 

 Nothing to do the klong tan corruption. That was just a means to an end. 

Not relevant, just your attempt at diversion from the real situation and the funds involved in the space ship matter are far from small. As said just your attempt at diversion.

[ddavidovsky]

The authors of this piece seem to have read my post yesterday.

Too many people around here are so gleefully busy sticking it to the monks that they have lost all sight of the bigger picture.

[scorecard]

25 minutes ago, colinneil said:

This so-called temple, is just a cover for criminal activities.

Brain washed idiots thats all these people are.

 

Maybe true.

 

Hers'a a  couple of thoughts:

 

-     If  'the monk' had any morals, concern for the truth, concern for his (naive) followers and fellow monks, and if he's alive, why hasn't he given some indication (perhaps without revealing his actual location right now) that he's alive but not in the space ship?  In this scenario,

 

If he does have any morals why is allowing his monks and followers to go through the stress etc., of the current confrontations?

 

-     If he's dead, then somebody, several people, a doctor, a medical institute which issued a death certificate must know the fact that he's dead. So why hasn't one of these folks, the medical institute etc., done something very obvious - speak up and say 'he's dead' with proof by a certificate or similar document recording his health matters and his death?

 

If he is dead, why are the folks who knows he's dead not speaking up so that the monks and followers don't have to go through the stress etc., of the current confrontations?

 

-    On the other hand is there another 'force' involved and stage managing the whole situation for other reasons?

[greenchair]

2 hours ago, scorecard said:

 

Maybe true.

 

Hers'a a  couple of thoughts:

 

-     If  'the monk' had any morals, concern for the truth, concern for his (naive) followers and fellow monks, and if he's alive, why hasn't he given some indication (perhaps without revealing his actual location right now) that he's alive but not in the space ship?  In this scenario,

 

If he does have any morals why is allowing his monks and followers to go through the stress etc., of the current confrontations?

 

-     If he's dead, then somebody, several people, a doctor, a medical institute which issued a death certificate must know the fact that he's dead. So why hasn't one of these folks, the medical institute etc., done something very obvious - speak up and say 'he's dead' with proof by a certificate or similar document recording his health matters and his death?

 

If he is dead, why are the folks who knows he's dead not speaking up so that the monks and followers don't have to go through the stress etc., of the current confrontations?

 

-    On the other hand is there another 'force' involved and stage managing the whole situation for other reasons?

The article explains why none of your suggestions is a good idea. 

They would like the headmonk gone so a new headmonk can be installed to take care of the wealth that this foundation has accumulated and lead the followers in the right direction. As the article says, in recent years the sect has gained too much power. 

Oh no, not talking about the other force again. 

Who is it? ???

Who could it be? ??

What are the other reasons? ??

The suspense is too much for me, I think I might wet my pants when you reveal the "true" force. 

[scorecard]

9 minutes ago, greenchair said:

The article explains why none of your suggestions is a good idea. 

They would like the headmonk gone so a new headmonk can be installed to take care of the wealth that this foundation has accumulated and lead the followers in the right direction. As the article says, in recent years the sect has gained too much power. 

Oh no, not talking about the other force again. 

Who is it? ???

Who could it be? ??

What are the other reasons? ??

The suspense is too much for me, I think I might wet my pants when you reveal the "true" force. 

 

Well you'll be wetting your pants forever. I never indicated I know the 'true' force (your term), if there is one.

 

And I say again, I wonder if there is someone driving / orchestrating this whole sorry tale. 

[ramrod711]

The temple rejects any link to former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra or his 'red-shirt' followers. Weng Tojirakarn, a red shirt leader, also told Reuters there was no link.

 

There you have it then, if Weng says there is nothing to see you have to believe it. An upstanding citizen and an accomplished arsonist, he would definitely be on my most trusted list..not.

[wirat69]

4 hours ago, AGareth2 said:

the only opposition to the govt

?

Try discussing it with Thai people and watch them squirm in discomfort!!!

[The Old Bull]

 It's all about power the junta wants them down and broke so they are easier to control. In Thailand with money comes power . Dhammakaya and his followers were acquiring to much wealth making the junta nervous. When a supreme patriarch was nominated by the monks the government had enough power to reject their pick and put in there own guy. If all the monks were well off they would have had to be listened too and don't forget  Prem an old army man is in the background pulling strings also.

[elgordo38]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

"It is trying to create unrest and subverting state power," said Paiboon Nititawan, a former senator appointed by the military to a council on solvingThailand's problems.

You will see this term "create unrest and subverting STATE POWER many many times in the years to come. They are just warming you up to the phrase. 

[elgordo38]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

Thai society traditionally has three pillars: nation, monarchy and religion.

Stools cannot stand on 3 legs you left out the military/government. Nation I would presume means the people which in truth have little to say here. 

[elgordo38]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

The temple runs television stations, slick websites and active social media accounts. It holds choreographed ceremonies of tens of thousands of people.

Yep sounds like it is in direct competition to the government. 

[elgordo38]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

A spokesman for the Department of Special Investigation said the government's aim was only to bring in the temple's influential former abbot, Phra Dhammachayo, in a way that respects Buddhism.

 

What???????????? I thought he was wanted for fraud not brainwashing

[elgordo38]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

"We have never been involved in any political affairs," said Phra Pasura Dantamano, a senior monk.

In this case there is no money in politics that space is already occupied. Saving souls now that can be lucrative. 

[elgordo38]

4 hours ago, scorecard said:

If he does have any morals why is allowing his monks and followers to go through the stress etc., of the current confrontations?

Every con has a lifetime. With this one its time to pack your bags (with money) and get the H out of Dodge. 

[Enoon]

49 minutes ago, ramrod711 said:

The temple rejects any link to former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra or his 'red-shirt' followers. Weng Tojirakarn, a red shirt leader, also told Reuters there was no link.

 

There you have it then, if Weng says there is nothing to see you have to believe it. An upstanding citizen and an accomplished arsonist, he would definitely be on my most trusted list..not.

 

You'll need to go higher than Mr T if you're interested in "links".

 

 

[hansnl]

2 hours ago, greenchair said:

The article explains why none of your suggestions is a good idea. 

They would like the headmonk gone so a new headmonk can be installed to take care of the wealth that this foundation has accumulated and lead the followers in the right direction. As the article says, in recent years the sect has gained too much power. 

Oh no, not talking about the other force again. 

Who is it? ???

Who could it be? ??

What are the other reasons? ??

The suspense is too much for me, I think I might wet my pants when you reveal the "true" force. 

Don't ever make the mistake to dismiss anything out of hand.

Need I remind you this is Asia?

 

[sandemara]

I love listening to State authorities working for a military junta installed through the power of guns to dump and replace a legally-elected government whinging about others "subverting State power". The sincerity of the delivery is scary.

[smutcakes]

27 minutes ago, sandemara said:

I love listening to State authorities working for a military junta installed through the power of guns to dump and replace a legally-elected government whinging about others "subverting State power". The sincerity of the delivery is scary.

Equally when the army and their supporters talk about the monks being 'above the law'.

[bheard]

1 hour ago, elgordo38 said:

You will see this term "create unrest and subverting STATE POWER many many times in the years to come. They are just warming you up to the phrase. 

 

Quite so. The government hates the idea of an 'alternative' power in the country. A power that doesn't fit within it's strict scope of how things should be (ie, the power, and therefore the ability to make obscene money, should remain in the hands of the current elite).

Yes, get rid of that power, break it, and oh, by the way, we'll take care of that gold too . . . for the good of the country . . .

[Baerboxer]

1 hour ago, elgordo38 said:

Stools cannot stand on 3 legs you left out the military/government. Nation I would presume means the people which in truth have little to say here. 

 

Guess you never knew many milk maids then?

[greenchair]

1 hour ago, hansnl said:

Don't ever make the mistake to dismiss anything out of hand.

Need I remind you this is Asia?

 

I didn't make a mistake at all. 

And don't threaten me. 

[reenatinnakor]

Why is it mostly women that believe in wishing at temples? That go to tarot readings? That believe in fortune telling? You see it in china and hk also... Usually young women queue up to get their palm, face or tarot read. In the hundreds of times I have been to temples here it's mostly women that wait their turn to talk to the monk, give him some money and hope their wish come true. Thai men do it also but predominantly it is women.

Do Thai people not realise it's all a scam? If monks and temples did have special powers then there wouldn't be any poor people in thailand! Everyone would just wish for money and be rich. Just to prove my gf wrong over all these years... Every time I go to the temple and the gf makes me wish I always wish to win the lottery and I even say I will give the temple half if I win lol... But she still doesn't get it.

Monks should be banned from taking money.

Sent from my LG-H990 using Thaivisa Connect mobile app

[Eric Loh]

46 minutes ago, bheard said:

 

Quite so. The government hates the idea of an 'alternative' power in the country. A power that doesn't fit within it's strict scope of how things should be (ie, the power, and therefore the ability to make obscene money, should remain in the hands of the current elite).

Yes, get rid of that power, break it, and oh, by the way, we'll take care of that gold too . . . for the good of the country . . .

Little P is learning fast from Big X regarding paranoia of an alternative power in China. This is a page out of China playbook of exterminating Falun Gong. 

[wakeupplease]

1 hour ago, reenatinnakor said:

Why is it mostly women that believe in wishing at temples? That go to tarot readings? That believe in fortune telling? You see it in china and hk also... Usually young women queue up to get their palm, face or tarot read. In the hundreds of times I have been to temples here it's mostly women that wait their turn to talk to the monk, give him some money and hope their wish come true. Thai men do it also but predominantly it is women.

Do Thai people not realise it's all a scam? If monks and temples did have special powers then there wouldn't be any poor people in thailand! Everyone would just wish for money and be rich. Just to prove my gf wrong over all these years... Every time I go to the temple and the gf makes me wish I always wish to win the lottery and I even say I will give the temple half if I win lol... But she still doesn't get it.

Monks should be banned from taking money.

Sent from my LG-H990 using Thaivisa Connect mobile app
 

Reenatinnakor

Thanks for that, sort of missed it but very true. Have to excuse me now, as I have a debate coming on with the wife and her spending, which just got cut.

The Temple in Birmingham is 95% women on open day, now I know why.

Happy Chappy today learned something and it will save me money

Thanks R

[sugarcane24]

10 hours ago, clockman said:

The Thais stole Buddhism from India, Then perverted it suit there greed.!

My understanding is that Buddha and his teachings were considered a threat by India's Hindu priests which is why Buddhism spread in other Asian countries, but not in India.

I agree with the perversion bit though, in that Thai Buddhism seems to be a strange mixture of animism, Hinduism and superstition with a veneer of Buddhism to give it the appearance of Buddhism. Much like the Catholic Church, Buddhism seems to be mostly  money -making operation. There do seem to be some exceptions, like the late Buddhadhasa  Bhikkhu.

   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddhadasa