Dhammakaya temple faces call for thorough probe

Dhammakaya temple faces call for thorough probe

Wat Phra Dhammakaya in Pathum Thani province is once again under the spotlight as several parties are calling for scrutiny into its vast assets. (Photo by Thiti Wannamontha)
Wat Phra Dhammakaya in Pathum Thani province is once again under the spotlight as several parties are calling for scrutiny into its vast assets. (Photo by Thiti Wannamontha)

The National Reform Council's Buddhism protection committee has urged for an investigation into the assets of Wat Phra Dhammakaya and those of its abbot and associates.

Paibul Nititawan, head of the committee, said after its meeting on Monday that his panel learned from the Anti-Money Laundering Office (Amlo) that Supachai Srisupa-aksorn, former chairman of the Klongchan Credit Union Cooperative, had paid in cheques 904 million baht of the cooperative's money to Phra Dhammachayo, Wat Phra Dhammakaya's abbot, and associates.

Phra Dhammachayo failed to return the money two years ago although Mr Supachai was accused of embezzling members' money.

Mr Paibul referred to eight cheques worth 349 million baht payable to Phra Dhammachayo, six cheques worth 436 million baht to the temple and more cheques worth 119 million baht to a close aide of the abbot identified as Phra Palad Wijan.

National reformer councilor Paibul Nititawan

"As the money had been embezzled from the cooperative and the abbot failed to return it after knowing about the embezzlement case, the Amlo should have seized all of his assets, as well as those of related parties," Mr Paibul said.

He said Wat Phra Dhammakaya, through a number of foundations, officially had over 1,000 rai of land which the Amlo could seize.

The national reform councillor will ask the Land Department to check the land acquisitions by foundations relating the temple and will gather copies of cheques made out by the temple for the Justice Ministry's investigation next month.

"The money donated by believers must be defined clearly as public assets and transferred to Wat Phra Dhammakaya. Besides, some members of the (Buddhism protection) committee called for examination of the temple's money because money-laundering is possible," Mr Paibul said.

The NRC panel made clear over the weekend its disagreement with the resolution of the Supreme Sangha Council (SSC) last Friday. The SSC confirmed the monk status of Phra Dhammachayo, saying the abbot had already transferred multi-million-baht donated assets to the temple.

"Dhammachayo has already lost his monkhood after he seriously violated Buddhist doctrines. He must be decisively dealt with like other monk impostors who wear robes in a way that disgraces Buddhist monks," Mr Paibul said.

He also called for legal action against the authorities who had withdrawn legal cases, including embezzlement ones, against Phra Dhammachayo from court in 2006.

Do you like the content of this article?
COMMENT (10)