As two feuding camps clash over the nomination of the new supreme patriarch, the government has been caught in the crossfire.
An ugly scuffle broke out last month between monks and soldiers at Phutthamonthon Buddhist park when about 1,200 monks and their supporters, led by Phra Methee Dhammacharn in his capacity as secretary-general of the Buddhism Protection Centre of Thailand, gathered to demand the government expedite the appointment.
LEADER IN WAITING: Somdet Chuang is the controversial nominee to become supreme patriarch.
Somdet Phra Maha Ratchamangalacharn, or Somdet Chuang, the abbot of Wat Pak Nam Phasi Charoen, is the most senior of the eight candidates for supreme patriarch, chief of the governing body of the country’s 300,000 Buddhist monks. The 90 year old is also currently acting supreme patriarch and chairman of the Sangha Supreme Council (SSC).
However, some groups have cast doubt on Somdet Chuang’s suitability, accusing him of having a close relationship with the controversial abbot of Wat Phra Dhammakaya, Phra Dhammachayo, whom he mentored when Phra Dhammachayo was ordained in 1969. He is also seen as having close close ties to the Thaksin Shinawatra political network.
In the opposition camp is Phra Buddha Isara, the abbot of Wat O Noi, who was an activist monk leading protesters to oust the Yingluck Shinawatra administration before the coup. He submitted a list to the prime minister of 300,000 people who oppose the nomination of Somdet Chuang and urged a probe into Wat Pak Nam’s vintage car collection.
Spectrum spoke to Phra Buddha Isara and Phra Methee about politics, resolving the conflict over the new supreme patriarch, and Somdet Chuang’s close connections with Wat Dhammakaya.
PHRA BUDDHA ISARA
THE OPPOSER
Why are you insisting on the delay of the nomination of Somdet Chuang as supreme patriarch?
If you were to choose a leader, would you choose one who receives stolen property? It’s simple logic. Somdet Chuang is not only accused of owning vintage cars, but he is also accused by the National Anti-Corruption Commission of misusing funds that were meant for the position of the supreme patriarch. Somdet Chuang was not royally appointed as supreme patriarch, and therefore cannot use the money. However, he has used it for many years — since Somdet Phra Nyanasamvara [the former supreme patriarch] fell ill. Somdet Chuang has never proven false these allegations against him, and his behaviour does not make him a good role model for his followers. If he is allowed to be the supreme patriarch, there will definitely be disciplinary issues.
In what way is Somdet Chuang closely connected with Wat Dhammakaya and why would this have a negative effect on his nomination?
He is Phra Dhammachayo’s [abbot of Wat Dhammakaya] preceptor. It’s not wrong if Dhammachayo acts according to Buddhist discipline. But that is not the case. Recently, Wat Dhammakaya introduced yet another "sculpture of heaven" — the hammers they sell for 100,000-200,000 baht. As SSC chairman, has Somdet Chuang ever mentioned that he would punish those who broke Buddhist discipline? No. That is the equivalent of making a bandit leader a monk leader. How can we accept that?
Why do you call him a bandit leader?
At this time, everyone in the world knows that Dhammachayo is charged with the embezzlement of funds from a credit union cooperative and money laundering. If this is not a bandit leader, then what is it? Has Somdet Chuang ever questioned his disciple on this? Never. So if in the future there is embezzlement involving temples, will Somdet Chuang dare to use his authority to question them? At a time when monks and students of Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University are asking temples to put up banners to support the appointment of Somdet Chuang as supreme patriarch, I also want to ask Buddhists to put up banners in front of their houses protesting against Somdet Chuang. We will not have a tainted person as supreme patriarch.
If Somdet Chuang’s behaviour has been inappropriate as you suggest, why did the SSC nominate him as the new supreme patriarch in January last year?
The SSC is under the power of Wat Dhammakaya and Somdet Chuang. There are only a few SSC members who do not go to Dhammakaya temple. Therefore Wat Dhammakaya is Somdet Chuang, and Somdet Chuang is Wat Dhammakaya. Dhammakaya exists in every inch of Thai society. They purchase land in districts with a high income per person in order to expand their power and kingdom, as well as to support political groups. Political groups that wish to come into power can contact the Dhammakaya cult because they have a powerful grip over society.
Where does Wat Dhammakaya gain its wealth from?
If you look at government expenditure, some of it is sent to Wat Dhammakaya. This has happened since the Thaksin administration and until Yingluck. Part of it is from donations, obtained by fooling people. Their most recent creation is the heavenly sculptures. Since they dominate society, the economy and politics, they are able to expand their power to distort Buddhist teachings. While the Buddha asks us to sacrifice in order to lower selfishness, Dhammakaya tells us that the more we donate, the wealthier we get.
Is the SSC aware of this? SSC members sleep and eat at the temple, so how can they not know? Over half the committee members are followers of Dhammakaya and receive money from Dhammakaya. We therefore see shameless people all over the place because the SSC does not dare to do anything to Dhammakaya and those shameless people.
Does that mean Buddhism in Thailand has deteriorated?
Buddhism has not deteriorated. What has deteriorated is the individual. And it is because it is so bad that I have to protest. Somdet Phra Nyanasamvara met with me several times to discuss these problems that he was not able to act upon at the time due to the political powers supporting Dhammakaya.
Which political group are you referring to?
Everyone knows that Dhammakaya is Thaksin’s political tool. Everyone knows that Dhammakaya is the Shinawatra family’s political tool. Everyone knows that some monks are under the power of the Shinawatra family. You must not forget that before Thaksin became prime minister, abbots received a monthly salary of only 500 baht. When Thaksin became prime minister, it rose to over 1,000 baht. SSC members were given more than 30,000 baht per month, up from over 10,000 baht. If it were you, who would you choose? Thaksin has long planned to buy the country and religion. Society must realise this truth.
If not Somdet Chuang, who do you think would be a suitable candidate?
Anyone who does not taint the Buddhist discipline.
Do you think the dispute over the nomination of the supreme patriarch is politically motivated?
The other side — whether it is the United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) and its leader Jatuporn Prompan, the red shirts or Dr Weng Tojirakarn — is pushing forward with this issue. Even [monk] Mahashow Tassaneeyo, [academic] Sathien Wipromha and Methee Dhammacharn — have they ever spoken at UDD protests? Yes they have. So why are they pushing for Dhammakaya and Somdet Chuang to gain authority? We are not thinking of using religion as a political tool because I have never supported any political party. It’s only their side using religion as a political tool because those people clearly appeared at protests showing support for a political party.
But in the past you played a key role in the People’s Democratic Reform Committee’s rallies against the Yingluck Shinawatra administration.
I also protested against Thaksin because he was corrupt. He damaged religion, society and the monarchy. And it’s not just me — anyone in Thailand who feels grateful towards the country has a right to protest [against Thaksin]. But you need to understand that I did not drive him out because I wanted power, or for the power to fall into the hands of a particular group of politicians. Whoever says that I am politically motivated, that is a misunderstanding. It’s the other side, not me.
What will happen if Somdet Chuang is appointed new supreme patriarch?
I think there will be chaos. The polls say 70% do not support Somdet Chuang as the supreme patriarch. If the total number of monks nationwide is 300,000 as claimed, how much is that compared to 70% of Buddhists? But the number [of his supporters] might be larger if you add members of the UDD.
Does the prime minister appear reluctant to act?
He doesn’t want this issue to turn into something abnormal. I think he is letting it take its natural course according to legal procedures. But it’s not natural in terms of discipline because the mechanism and those who enforce the discipline are disabled. This includes the SSC, the National Office of Buddhism and senior monks.
How do you think this problem should be solved?
Lay down the tripitaka right in front, open it page by page, and defrock any monk who acts against the teachings. But don’t forget that Dhammakaya has its own tripitaka, which they twice tried to get approved by the SSC.
I have heard that Dhammakaya is even sneaking its own people into the National Reform Council to approve a bill on reforming the clergy. This includes the National Office of Buddhism, which has always attempted to protect Dhammakaya.
PHRA METHEE DHAMMACHARN
THE SUPPORTER
Why are you urging a prompt endorsement of the 20th supreme patriarch?
The clergy is governed under the 1962 Sangha Act. During the time when Thailand was still an absolute monarchy, the king’s duties included governing both the people and supporting Buddhism. But after the 1932 revolution, in which Thailand changed to a democracy, Buddhism was neglected. In the past, the state and religion respected one another. Although monks were under the law, they had the right to govern themselves. Now you have a situation in which the SSC, the governing body of the country’s monks, nominated Somdet Chuang as the new supreme patriarch, but the state has not yet acted upon the resolution.
According to Section 7 of the Sangha Act, the SSC has the duty to select the supreme patriarch, while the King has the power to appoint the supreme patriarch. The government acts as the messenger by forwarding the name to the Royal Household Bureau. In the same way, the clergy has never meddled with state affairs. For instance, we accept all governments regardless of whether they came into power through democratic means or a military coup. According to the law, monks do not have the right to vote under any circumstance, due to the separation of religion and state. If the government today is this close [to interference], it means the clergy has totally failed in self-governance because they have lost that power.
Somdet Chuang is seen as having close ties to the controversial Dhammakaya temple. If this is true, would it have a negative effect on his role as supreme patriarch, given that many see Dhammakaya as a cult that has distorted the Buddha’s teachings to increase its wealth?
I admire Somdet Chuang’s virtuousness in being the preceptor of the abbot of Wat Dhammakaya. At this time, people look at the expansion of the temple and connect it to politics rather than looking at it as violating Buddhist discipline. Many people are afraid that the temple will control both the state and religion. They view the supreme patriarch as being the preceptor of the clergy, while [Dhammakaya] has many followers. They are afraid that this will affect election outcomes.
I have never had anything to do with this temple. I have never entered it and I have never seen this temple before. I do not have a relationship with them and I do not have to protect them. But the complaint regarding disciplinary action [against Phra Dhammachayo] was withdrawn in 1999 before a hearing could begin. If any issue arises regarding the temple, it is possible to proceed with disciplinary and legal actions. Somdet Chuang has never protected the temple. The issue of ethics is used as a justification to prevent the appointment of the supreme patriarch.
Somdet Chuang has faced criticism for owning a vintage Mercedes-Benz that the Department of Special Investigation says was illegally imported and registered. Would it be right to support someone who is under criminal investigation?
The government needs to realise that what is happening to Somdet Chuang is not a conflict. There is a small group of people who tried to set up a situation in order to create chaos and conflict, leading to the prevention of the appointment of the supreme patriarch. The issue with the cars is a political issue. Up until now, the DSI has only publicly stated that the car was obtained in a wrongful manner, and they left people to come up with their own conclusion that since the car is wrong, the car owner is also wrong. The DSI has not yet provided a full picture of the case; they only mention the beginning. Monks nationwide pay respect to Somdet Chuang because we have been together for such a long time. If Somdet Chuang is aware that this issue is wrong, why would he risk losing his honour just for one car? I would like the DSI to quickly clear up this issue.
Do you think the dispute over the nomination of the supreme patriarch is politically motivated?
I want the government to respect the clergy, which has the right to self-govern. I am concerned that there will be disunity, because now many monks of the Maha Nikaya school are asking why it is so difficult for someone from their school to be appointed as supreme patriarch. Some groups are even proposing a separate governing body such as the system used in Sri Lanka or Cambodia, where there are two supreme patriarchs for the two different sects. That is not what we want.
As for the other side, there is a small group of people who are setting up a situation in order to create chaos. These agenda-driven people are political and religious hardcores who mix politics with the clergy in order to stir chaos.
Can you elaborate on exactly how they are using politics to cause chaos?
Right now the country is politically divided, and there is a view that most monks are on one side. So when the other side rises to power, they cooperate with those in power to attack their opponents. That is why I say that the temple at Pathum Thani [Wat Dhammakaya] does not reflect disciplinary issues but political issues. They fear that there will be a domination of the state and clergy; that if the clergy has power and the state has a large network of supporters, then they will lose in elections. This is something that no one is talking about.
It is clear that when the other side gathered to form a political movement, they mentioned clergy reform and a change in the Sangha Act during their “Bangkok shutdown” campaign. Today they are walking along the same roadmap. As for my side, I have to question Somdet Chuang’s familiarity with red shirt supporters. Which red shirt supporter is he familiar with? No one.
But why are there many red shirt supporters who support Somdet Chuang as the new supreme patriarch?
I am not quite sure whether or not the red shirts support him. What we can see is that most of the country’s population has not had a say in this issue. But I can confirm that all the monks in this country respect Somdet Chuang and regard him as their leader.
I do not have any interest in this issue, but the clergy needs to exist and move forward. The clergy must have the right to self-govern according to the law.
So the view that Somdet Chuang has close ties with Wat Dhammakaya, and that Dhammakaya has a close relationship with Thaksin, the red shirts’ patron, is a discourse that was created out of the blue?
It is clear that Somdet Chuang was the preceptor of Dhammakaya. His virtuousness towards his disciples is clear. As for Wat Dhammakaya and Thaksin, in what way are they close? There are many yellow shirt phu yai [senior figures] who have close relationships with Dhammakaya's big donators, but the media does not mention this. But today when there is a fear of elections, a connection is made between him and this side, and that if there are elections they will help one another. When that happens, it will lead to one political side losing the opportunity to form government. That leads to blocking the clergy as well, in terms of how to prevent [Somdet Chuang] from being supreme patriarch, out of concern of domination of the state and religion.
What will happen if Somdet Chuang is not made the new supreme patriarch?
From now on, the clergy will be unable to exist as an organisation, due to the failure to govern themselves. There will be a large show of disunity within the clergy that has never happened before. The Maha Nikaya school will be viewed as being prevented from obtaining the highest rank, despite fully complying with the law.
Does the prime minister appear reluctant to act?
Many people view him as fuelling conflict, making the problem escalate and unsolvable. The prime minister is straightforward and ethical. He needs to be decisive and aware that a group of people are operating under an agenda.
Is it illegal for the government to not act in accordance with the SSC resolution?
They risk violating Section 157 of the Criminal Code [related to dereliction of duty]. If at least half the monks in the country urge the government to be prosecuted under Section 157, what will happen? Chaos will occur.
How do you think this problem should be solved?
Talks should be held, with the government acting as the facilitator. The talks should be straightforward and based on reason.
LOYAL ALLY: Phra Methee Dhammacharn was summoned by deputy PM Prawit Wongsuwon after the clash with soldiers at Phutthamonthon park. The altercation, below right, was the result of frustration over the delayed appointment of the new supreme patriach.
