Thailand national Buddhist body has announced it is monitoring
monks for any inappropriate behavior following complaints prompted
by a video showing Buddhists monks flying in a private
jet.
The YouTube video that emerged recently showed one of the monks
wearing stylish aviator sunglasses, carrying a luxury brand travel
bag and sporting a pair of modern wireless headphones. It attracted
criticism from Buddhists nationwide.
The director general of the National Office of Buddhism, Nopparat
Benjawatananun, said on Monday that the agency had warned the monks
from a monastery in Thailand's north-east not to repeat the lavish
behaviour seen in the video.
Watch Video here;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l9nLwj-9XPQ
Monruedee Bantoengsuk, an administrative officer at Khantitham
temple in Sisaket province, confirmed to AP that the monks on the
private plane lived at the temple but refused to give details about
the trip.
"We can explain this, but not now," she said, saying that the
abbot, who appeared in the video, is currently on a religious tour
in France.
The images from the video contrasted with the abbot's message on
the temple's homepage that read: "The true core of those who preach
Buddha's teachings is to not own any objects at all."
Nopparat said: "When Lord Buddha was alive, there wasn't anything
like this. There were no cars, smartphones or cameras, so the rules
were much simpler.
"While the monks need to keep themselves abreast of new knowledge,
current events and technology, they are restrained to choose the
appropriate tools."
He said one way to prevent the monks from misbehaving was for
followers not to spoil them with valuable objects or vices. "In
many cases, it was the followers who gave the monks the luxury.
Some bought them sports cars. This is by no means necessary."
