Married ex-monk publishes memoirs

Married ex-monk publishes memoirs

Mitsuo Shibahashi, formerly known as Phra Mitsuo Gavesako, will launch two new books that promise to tell all about why he left the monkhood after almost 40 years to pursue a married life.

The two pocketbooks will also address rumours and speculation that have circulated after his unexpected decision, including one that said he was drugged by his then would-be wife.

Suttirat: Accused of impropriety

The two books, entitled Kwam Nai Jai Ajarn Mitsuo (Message from the Heart of Phra Mitsuo) and Bot Tes Wan Sud Thai Nai Phet Banpachit (The Last Sermon in the Saffron Robe) will be launched next Tuesday.

At the launch, the former monk and Suttirat Muttamara, his wife, will open up to the media for the first time about their relationship.

As a former abbot of the renowned Suwandavanaram forest monastery in Kanchanaburi province, Mr Shibahashi, 62, caused a major stir when he quietly left the monkhood four months ago.

The news came as a shock to his many followers, most of whom did not expect him to leave the monkhood after serving Buddhism for more than 38 years.

A few weeks later, he married Mrs Suttirat in his native Japan.

During that time, Mrs Suttirat was often accused of having an inappropriate relationship with the former monk.

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