Buddhists monks usually receive a lot of respect from the Thaliand community and traditionally any action taken against them were considered as a taboo / sacrilege. But then a series of incidents involving sex scandals and money related issues have pushed their stardom down to bottom and have forced the authorities to rethink about how they handle allegations against Buddhist religious leaders.
Thai police, on Thursday raided four Buddhist temples and have arrested several prominent monks and worshippers which is deemed as country’s biggest such operation. More than 100 police commandos rushed in to four temples in Bangkok and the adjacent central province of Nakhon Pathom on Thursday. The raids are largely seen as an attempt to reform Buddhism and not to wipe Buddhism off, as 90 percentage of Tanilands population follows Buddhism.
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Police officer Thitiraj Nhongharnpitak of the Central Investigation Bureau said “This is the investigation stage, it will all come down to facts and evidence”.
Among the monks who were arrested included Buddha Isara who once launched a campaign to clean up Buddhism but ended up earning enemies by accusing other leaders. Another prominent figure, Phra Phrom Dilok, a member of Sangha Supreme Council was also arrested for his alleged embezzlement of temple funds.
Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan said the arrests were about getting to the bottom of the allegations.
“This is part of the investigation,” Prawit said.
Thailand’s temple earn over billions of dollars in donations every year but it’s name was heard in the wrong places from shady financial dealings to drugs. Junta, Thailand’s body of Buddhist monks has been trying to clean up it’s on act since last year.
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