Buddhist Monks Lavish Behaviour

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http://www.breakingnews.ie/world/jet-set-monks-warned-after-video-exposes-lavish-lifestyle-597728.html

Thailand's Buddhist monks are under investigation following complaints sparked by a video showing some flying on a private jet.

The YouTube video showed one of the monks was wearing stylish aviator sunglasses, carrying a luxury brand travel bag and sporting a pair of modern-looking wireless headphones. It attracted criticism from Buddhists nationwide.

Office of National Buddhism director-general Nopparat Benjawatananun said that the agency saw the video and had warned the monks from a monastery in Thailand's north-east not to repeat the lavish behaviour.

It plans to monitor monks nationwide.

With the world's largest Buddhist population, Thailand has attempted to help Buddha's 2,600-year-old doctrine stand the test of time through a variety of means, including imposing a ban on the sale of alcohol on religious holidays.

The efforts, however, are sometimes tainted by the monks themselves.

Last year, about 300 out of 61,416 Buddhist monks and novices in Thailand were reprimanded - in several cases removed from the monkhood - because of their misconduct, ranging from alcohol consumption, having sex with women, to extortion.

The office also received complaints about monks driving cars, and scams and false claims of black magic uses by monks.

Mr Nopparat said the Buddhist monks in the video were acting "inappropriately, not composed and not adhering to Buddha's teachings of simplicity and self-restraint."

Monruedee Bantoengsuk, an administrative officer at Khantitham Temple in Sisaket province, confirmed that the monks on the private plane lived at the temple but refused to give details about the trip.

"We can explain this, but not now," she said, saying that the abbot, who appeared in the video, is currently on a religious tour in France.

The images from the video contrasted with the abbot's message on the temple's homepage that read: "The true core of those who preach Buddha's teachings is to not to own any objects at all."

"When Lord Buddha was alive, there wasn't anything like this. There were no cars, smart phones or cameras, so the rules were much simpler," said Mr Nopparat.

"While the monks need to keep themselves abreast of new knowledge, current events and technology, they are restrained to choose the appropriate tools."

He said one way to prevent the monks from misbehaving is for followers not to spoil them with valuable objects or vices.

"In many cases, it was the followers who gave the monks the luxury. Some bought them sports cars. This is by no means necessary."

Any opinions on this?

It's disappointing, but we're all human I guess
As long as it's clamped down on
Don't really know why they'd want to be monks if they prefer that kind of carry on though, better off going back to laity

Asporadic

I just hope these one or two bad apples aren't used to undermine the whole religion as we so often see happen with Christianity.

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bluewolf wrote: »

It's disappointing, but we're all human I guess
As long as it's clamped down on
Don't really know why they'd want to be monks if they prefer that kind of carry on though, better off going back to laity

My thoughts exactly.

Asiaprod

It has already been clamped down on. They got a very sever warning not to let that happen again.:)

dellas1979

Very interesting!

Last year (and this year again, I hope), I worked in a Temple school in Thailand, and got great insight into it.

I didnt really have an interest in Buddhism, I wanted to teach. So, I put the 2 together. Got an insight into their lives inside and outside the monestry. Was fascinating.

mccoist

dellas1979 wrote: »

Very interesting!

Last year (and this year again, I hope), I worked in a Temple school in Thailand, and got great insight into it.

I didnt really have an interest in Buddhism, I wanted to teach. So, I put the 2 together. Got an insight into their lives inside and outside the monestry. Was fascinating.

I would like to hear more on your travels to monastery
I spent a week at Chithurst England training school working
It is better than retreats

dellas1979

Well, it was a temple buddhist school with 400 monks. Thervada strain. Well, there was about 350 odd novice monks (aged from about 11-18). And about 50 monks. The novices went to school and sleep there. The monk monks (the older guys) were usually teachers there.

There are many reasons to become a novice (and at aged 20, a novice can decide if to become an actual monk).

Some of the novices are there because theyve no families. Others, to get an education. Others for religious reasons. Other novices join for a few weeks/months (like a service for their family).

Ill be honest, when I went over there, I didnt know what I was letting myself in for. But you couldnt have met a nicer, more engaging, and wise bunch of people. And their humour astounded me. Always joking and laughing.

A novice has 5 rules to follow.
A monk monk has something like 224 rules to follow.

As a female, there were certain rules I had to follow:

- Couldnt touch them (nor them me)
- Couldnt hand them anything directly (leave it on a table or somewhere for them to pick it up)
- Had to dress appropriately (no revealing clothes)

Some of the more general things about them:

- They arent supposed to run/play sports
- Sing
- Clap
- Wave

Also, there are no consequences to their actions. You cant punish them. It was hard to discipline a kid if they were misbehaving, because you cant scold them/give out to them. Their world, their rules.

It was fascinating.

I keep in contact with some of them via email, skype, and facebook . They dont understand why people wouldnt think they use technology.

I keep thinking of more things.....they only eat maximum twice a day. Breakfast (alms, i.e., they go out and collect the food from the buddhist community). And again, their main meal was at 11am. They ate their "lunch". Cant eat after mid-day. To do with meditating...clean body, clean mind. My God their food was spicy! They could drink water/tea/milk for sustinance. They also shave their heads once a month, day before the full moon.

The funniest thing I found out was that they hadnt a care in the world for the Dalai Lama. I "thought" that all buddhism fell under him (the Leader so to speak, but he's not). He is apparently a different strain of Buddhist. The closest thing I could describe it to it catholicism and church of england-type scenario.

Asiaprod

Nice account.

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Fascinating.

dellas1979

Well, hopefully Ill get an even better insight this time (have just arranged to back over there).