SSC faces fire for female monk ban

SSC faces fire for female monk ban

Reform trio back female ordination

Three members of the National Reform Council (NRC) yesterday joined a chorus of criticism against the Supreme Sangha Council (SSC) for its stance on female ordination, saying the SSC's recent announcement violated religious freedom, a fundamental human right.

The trio spoke out yesterday after receiving a petition from the Networks of Women for Reforms, who spoke out against the SSC's stance on Bhikkunis, or female monks.

The religious authority last week reiterated its stance that monks are not permitted to ordain female monks, following a recent rebel Bhikkhuni ordination ceremony in Songkhla.

The ceremony, organised by Dhammananda Bhikkhuni, an abbess at Wat Songdham Kalayani in Nakhon Pathom, took place at Thippayasathandhamma Bhikkhuni Arama in Songkhla's Koh Yor on Nov 29. Members of the Sri Lanka Bhikkhuni sect and monks were invited to perform the ordination, which means those ordained in Songkhla are technically under the Sri Lanka Bhikkhuni sect.

Kanchana Sutthikul and Suthada Mekrungruangkul, representatives of the networks, handed the petition to NRC members Naowarat Pongpaiboon and Paiboon Nititawan.

Mr Paiboon, also a member of the Constitution Drafting Committee (CDC), slammed the SSC's announcement, saying it was against both the constitution and Buddha-banyat, or the disciplinary rules made by the Buddha, which allow for the ordination of women.

He also criticised the SSC for saying that foreign Sangha should seek permission before holding ordination ceremonies in Thailand.

The SSC's jurisdiction covers only Thai monks, Mr Paiboon said.

In its announcement last week, the SSC cited a religious order from 1928 forbidding monks from ordaining women.

According to the ordination rules for women, there must be a quorum of both male and female monks' at an ordination.

It says that since the lineage of Theravada Bhikkhuni has died out, female ordination can no longer be recognised.

The SSC sought help from the Foreign Ministry to ban Sri Lankan monks from coming here to ordain women.

Mr Naowarat, who chairs the NRC's committee on values, arts, cultures, ethics and religious affairs, said the committee will consider the networks' petition.

He added the panel was expected to make a resolution on the issue and he would forward the petition to the CDC.

NRC member Gen Aekachai Sriwilat said he felt uneasy about the SSC's stance because it was a violation of rights and blocked women from becoming monks.

Ms Kanchana said the NRC and the CDC should take action over the issue and make it "fair" for women whose rights are affected by the SSC's stance on Bhikkunis.

She also said a correct understanding about female ordination should be promoted so women aren't restricted by a set of beliefs in their pursuit of faith.

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