Thai police this week arrested a girl accused of bedding at the very least 11 monks in violation of their vows of celibacy, earlier than blackmailing them with 1000’s of secretly taken images of their trysts.
The monks are stated to have paid practically $12 million, funnelled out of their monasteries funded by donations from laypeople hoping to extend their benefit and prospects for reincarnation.
The scandal provoked outrage over hypocrisy within the monkhood, concern their standing shields them from scrutiny, and soul-searching throughout society concerning the function of faith.
“I’m not involved in the religion like I used to be,” 33-year-old bike taxi driver Mongkol Sudathip advised AFP. “I don’t have full respect for it anymore.”
King Maha Vajiralongkorn has cancelled invites to greater than 80 monks who had been because of attend his upcoming 73rd birthday celebrations, citing “inappropriate behaviour that caused mental distress among the Thai people”.
While the 11 monks have been stripped of their robes, the dominion’s National Office of Buddhism has vowed to “restore public trust” with a sweeping police probe into the grubby affair.
‘Splurging angle’
Theravada Buddhism has been the religious spine of Thai identification for greater than two millennia, and nonetheless shapes nationwide legal guidelines banning alcohol on spiritual holidays and defending sacred objects.
Thai males are historically anticipated to ordain as monks at the very least as soon as of their lives for a interval lasting as quick as a number of weeks or so long as a long time.
The clergy are certain by 227 strict guidelines, together with a ban on masturbation, touching ladies and even dealing with objects instantly from them.
Monks historically survive on alms, meals choices and a modest $170 month-to-month stipend, however some pocket charges for lectures, blessings and ceremonies — blurring the road between religion and fortune.
In a TV interview, the lady on the coronary heart of the scandal stated she had developed a “splurging attitude” as her monk lovers lavished her with procuring journeys price as much as $90,000 a day.
Motorcycle taxi driver Mongkol stated he now prefers to donate to hospitals or faculties for underprivileged youngsters. “It feels more meaningful than giving money to temples,” he advised AFP.
This month’s scandal isn’t the primary to rock the monkhood.
In 2017, police raided Wat Dhammakaya temple north of Bangkok, arresting its former abbot over allegations of laundering $33 million in public donations.
This May, police held one other monk within the capital over allegations of embezzling practically $10 million from a temple for a web based playing community.
Buddhism scholar Danai Preechapermprasit stated repeated scandals — particularly amongst senior monks — have “shaken people to the core”.
“People question whether donations are used for spiritual significance or personal desire,” he advised AFP.
“I think Thailand has reached a point where it’s difficult for monks to even walk down the street.”
A strong lawmaker has pledged tighter rules inside three months — together with necessary donation disclosures and legal guidelines treating monk misconduct as a prison offence.
“This case does not represent Buddhism as a whole,” stated nationwide police chief Kitrat Panphet on Thursday, pledging a brand new activity power to probe misbehaving monks.
“It’s about a few individuals doing wrong,” he stated.
‘Never lose religion’
In Buddhist custom monks are seen because the Buddha’s religious heirs, entrusted with preserving and passing on his teachings.
But at Wat Bowonniwet in Bangkok — certainly one of Thailand’s most revered temples — solely 26 monks have been ordained this yr, a steep drop from practically 100 earlier than the Covid-19 pandemic.
A monk there, talking to AFP anonymously, blamed societal modifications after the pandemic, which pressured folks into isolation — saying these days “people prefer to live outside the temple life”.
But impartial Buddhism professional Jaturong Jongarsa stated temples are more and more being handled as “a garbage dump” — the place households ship drug addicts or LGBTQ youth to be “corrected”.
“Temples are no longer seen as the sacred spaces they once were,” he advised AFP. “People send their problems to the temple and hope they’ll go away.”
Still, not all Thais have misplaced religion.
Camphun Parimiphut, a 52-year-old safety guard from Maha Sarakham in Thailand’s northeast, stated: “Buddhism is about the teachings, not the individuals who fail it”.
Because of corruption scandals he now avoids giving cash to monks — preferring to donate solely meals. But his devotion stays steadfast.
“You can lose faith in monks,” he stated. “But never lose trust in Buddhist teachings. They still teach us how to live a good life.”
