Canadian leaves monkhood after sex allegations
published : 12 Aug 2019 at 11:05
writer: Gary Boyle
ORIGINAL SOURCE/WRITER: Online Reporters
A Canadian monk popular among locals in Mae Hong Son for helping the poor has resigned from the monkhood following accusations of having sexual relationships with at least one woman.
Phra Julien, 42, posted a Facebook message on Sunday saying he had decided to leave the monkhood to seek forgiveness after violating the Dhamma principles by having sexual relations with women.
The former monk gave no details on the case. He posted a picture of himself wearing a white shirt after returning to layman's status as Julien Desilets alongside a monk believed to be Phra Khru Sujitpanyarat, who disrobed him. Other reports said he left the monkhood in a ceremony at Wat Ban Pae in Chomthong district in Chiang Mai province on Saturday.
His decision came one day after he posted photos showing the donation of fruit trees to villagers, probably in Sop Moei district of Mae Hong Son. Mr Desilets lived at Hua Putha Monastery in Sop Moei when he was a monk.
The Canadian was well known for his dedication to helping people in the district and other areas. The sexual allegations that were raised recently came as a shock for his disciples.
Veterinarian Somchai Sirithepsongklod on Friday claimed on his Facebook page that Phra Julien had behaved improperly by having sex with a female foreigner in Chanthaburi province and another woman on a separate occasion.
Mr Desilets reportedly will study Dhamma at a temple in Roi Et province before returning to the monastery in Sop Moei.
"I will continue to devote myself to helping the poor in remote areas," he said.
Learn from listening
Vocabulary
- allegation: an accusation; a statement that someone has done something wrong or illegal even though this has not been proved - ข้อกล่าวหา
- dedication (noun): the hard work and effort that somebody puts into an activity or purpose because they think it is important - การอุทิศ
- Dhamma (noun): Buddhist teaching, known as the truth taught by the Buddha - ธรรมะ
- disciple: someone who admires a famous person such as a political or religious leader and is influenced by them - ลูกศิษย์, สานุศิษย์
- disrobe (verb): to force a man out of the monkhood, i.e., to not allow him to wear the monk's robe - ให้ออกจากการเป็นพระ
- donation: money or goods that you give to an organisation, especially one that helps people - เงินหรือสิ่งของบริจาค
- forgiveness: the act of forgiving somebody; willingness to forgive somebody - การให้อภัย, การอภัยโทษ
- improperly (adv): in a way that is not suited or appropriate to the situation - ไม่เหมาะสม ไม่สมควร
- layman (noun): a person who is a member of a temple or a church but is not a priest or member of the clergy - สามัญชน
- monkhood: the fact of being a monk - เพศพระภิกษุ, เพศบรรพชิต, ความเป็นพระ
- principle: a basic belief, theory, or rule that has a major influence on the way in which something is done; a moral rule or standard of good behavior - กฎ, ข้อปฏิบัติ, หลักปฏิบัติ
- veterinarian: a person with a medical degree trained to take care of the health of animals - สัตวแพทย์
- violate: to do something that is against a law, rule or agreement - ฝ่าฝืน, ละเมิด
