Queen Sirikit wants Buddhist monks
to bring peace to hurting south
by Weena Kowitwanij, AsiaNews, July
31, 2007
Queens plan includes 347
Buddhist monks who have decided to move into hundreds of temples
abandoned in southern Thailand as a result of violence perpetrated
by Islamic separatists. Their goal is to bring peace and solidarity
to a population affected by years of death and civil
war.
Bangkok, Thailand -- Thailands Queen Sikirit
wants to reopen abandoned Buddhist monasteries and temples in the
countrys southern provinces. For years the area has suffered from
the violence between the military and local Islamic separatists.
For this purpose she called on Buddhist monks to go south and live
in the empty monasteries during the three three-month Buddhist Lent
(starting July 30) which coincides with the rainy season, a time
when monks normally do not travel.
So far 347 monks have heeded her appeal and have moved into 266
temples that had been abandoned because Islamic separatists had
targeted them as symbols of Thailands Buddhist majority.
In Yala province 43 temples were destroyed this year alone. In
Pattani 81 suffered a similar fate as did seven monasteries. In
Narathiwat 71 temples and 16 monasteries endured the same.
In many other locations monks have been able to travel asking for
alms only under police or army escort to deter and prevent suicide
attacks.
Somdej Phrayannasungwom Sakolmahasungkaparinayok, Thailands
supreme Buddhist patriarch, urged the faithful to give alms,
observe [Buddhisms] five precepts, listen to sermons, and pray.
He added that if people are understanding and have mercy society
will be full of happiness and peace.
Phra Phibhithammasoontorn, rector of Soontornprachatham Temple in
Pattani, said that with the Queens encouragement more than 300
monks volunteered to stay in the temples of the three southern
provinces where violence has occurred for years. Let me remind each
Buddhist believer that they ought to express at least one good
intention during Buddhist Lent this year so as to start changing
for a better life.
Phra Somchai Kitiwuthto is among the volunteers making the trip;
his destination: Narathiwas Temple. Spreading the teachings of the
Buddha and encouraging the faith, he said, are part of the
mission of a Buddhist monk. Violence is not an answer to our
problems. Dhamma (or Dharma, i.e. the Buddhas teachings) must help
bring solidarity among all Thais.
Thailands population stands at 62.8 million, 95 per cent of which
is Buddhist. Another 4 per cent is Muslim, but concentrated in the
southernmost provinces.
Rebel groups have been fighting for their secession. Since 2004
about 2,200 people have died in the ensuing clashes.
