The National Office of Buddhism (NOB) insisted that telepathy is not part of the Buddha's teachings, despite claims to the contrary by a cult run by eight-year-old "Nong Nice", his parents and other individuals -- who are now facing a police investigation.
The police probe follows a legal complaint filed on Monday with the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) against "Nong Nice" and eight other people who manage his "Mind Connection" office, website and other social media accounts for violating the Computer Act, Donation Soliciting Act and Child Welfare Protection Act.
Not only are the alleged mental powers not a part of the Tripitaka, but such claims about telepathic skills go against the six virtues of dhamma, said Bunchoet Kittitharangkun, director of the NOB's provincial office in Pathum Thani, on Friday.
The NOB recently conducted a study into the Tripitaka and found no references to this, he said.
The NOB has been monitoring this cult's activities for some time while collecting information about the misleading and distorted information regarding the Buddha's teachings the cult is giving, said Intaporn Chaniam, the NOB director.
This case, however, is sensitive as the cult involves a child and his family, he said.
Theravada Buddhism is predominant in Thailand, not Mahayana Buddhism, which might give credence to such supernatural powers, said Mr Bunchoet.
Just as the government promised previously that it would look into the cult's claims and take proper action against them, the NOB now has a clear answer to questions raised about such claims, said PM's Office Minister Pichit Chuenban.
He said he would inform other agencies of the NOB's refusal to accept such claims and ask them to take further action against anyone who continues making them.
Responding to the NOB's statement, the cult posted on its website a new message reading: "Master Nong Nice has always said mind connection is a method. He has never claimed it to be a teaching of the Buddha. And the NOB didn't [clearly] say Nong Nice's teachings are against the Bhuddha's teachings."
The Social Development and Human Security Ministry has been seeking a court warrant to take Nong Nice to visit psychologists as his parents refuse to let authorities assess the boy's mental condition.
His parents continue to threaten to file a lawsuit against their critics.