NRC mulls court to tackle errant monks

NRC mulls court to tackle errant monks

Cabinet draws up bills to reform Buddhism

The case of the
The case of the "flying monk" previously known as jet-setting Luang Pu Nen Kham Chattiko is just one of many high-profile examples of questionable behaviour by the clergy, bringing attempts to reform Buddhism by some members of the National Reform Council. (File photo)

A National Reform Council (NRC) member has proposed a special court be set up to deal with Buddhist monks violating the monks' code of conduct as the council yesterday endorsed a report on how to reform Buddhist monks' affairs.

NRC member Wanchai Sornsiri raised the court idea at an NRC meeting yesterday to consider the report submitted by a now-defunct panel on reform and protection of Buddhism.

The panel was created to set out guidelines for the protection and reform of Buddhism after the scandal involving the controversial Wat Phra Dhammakaya and its abbot Phra Dhammachayo emerged.

The panel, headed by Paiboon Nititawan, was disbanded following criticism of its moves against the clergy.

Before it was disbanded, the panel held several meetings and came up a report on how to reform monks' affairs.

Mr Wanchai told the meeting that a special court should be set up to handle cases relating to monks involved in misconduct and violating the monks' code.

He said he shared the view of NRC chairman Thienchay Kiranandana who said the state must step in to protect the religion. However, he did not elaborate on the structure of the court and how it would function.

NRC member Chirmsak Pinthong, who also sat on the panel, said the panel had sought to reform the affairs of Buddhist monks, not the foundations of Buddhism and its teachings. 

The panel wanted to use Lord Buddha's teachings as the basis for reform, he added.

Mr Chirmsak provided an overview of the panel's reform proposals.

The reforms cover measures to manage assets belonging to monks and temples suspected of misconduct, he said.

Mr Chirmsak said monks and temples' assets nationwide now amount to 20 trillion baht — about 10 times more than the national budget.

Some of these assets have not been accounted for properly, leading to claims of a lack of transparency, Mr Chirmsak said.

He said several monks have kept the money donated to temples in their personal bank accounts and made wills bequeathing the money to their families after their deaths.

Mr Chirmsak said some people who ordained as monks want to make a career out of the monkhood and enrich themselves, which runs counter to Lord Buddha's teachings on selflessness. 

"Being a monk has now become a kind of occupation," he said.

Mr Chirmsak said the panel has also proposed amendments to a 1998 Sangha Supreme Council regulation governing the appointment and dismissal of monks in the clerical governing hierarchy, as well as amendments to the 1962 Sangha Act.

The changes are part of a push for power decentralisation to streamline the centralised clerical governing system, Mr Chirmsak said.

Decisions to run temples should rest with local monks and residents, he said, adding the appointment and dismissal of the temple abbot should be based on Lord Buddha's teachings.

The panel also recommended the education of monks be reformed to keep up with changing circumstances, Mr Chirmsak said.

NRC member Ampon Jinda criticised the commercialisation of Buddhism, saying some temples are doing business and making profits in the name of merit-making.

Monks are not required to pay taxes, which makes it easy for some monks to make money, he added.

The NRC yesterday endorsed the Paiboon report, which contained recommendations for Buddhism reform, by a vote of 186-7.

NRC chairman Mr Thienchay said he will present the report to the cabinet. He said the government is drawing up bills to handle the reform of monks' affairs.

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