![]() |
![]() |
|
|
||
News at Tipitaka Network |
![]() |
Misbehaving monks scolded at national religious congressby Khouth Sophakchakrya, Phnom Penh Post, Wednesday, December 30, 2009
“The role of monks is very important to educate the social morality of the people,” Chea Sim said in a speech before 800 monks and nuns at the 18th annual National Monk Congress, which opened Tuesday at Chaktomuk Theatre. “But monks themselves must have a Buddhist’s morality to encourage the national religion.” Chea Sim urged officials at the Ministry of Cults and Religions to “reinforce the good governance” of Buddhism to ensure peace in the Kingdom. “The teachings of the Buddha are the light that will educate the people about morality and allow our country to develop peacefully,” Chea Sim said. “The discrimination, jealousy and violations in social society are caused from indifference to religious belief and are seriously damaging.” In recent months, however, several monks appear to have strayed from the path, with allegations of murder, sexual relationships, alcohol consumption and rape directed at a handful of monks. Min Khin, the cults and religions minister, acknowledged that authorities were concerned about the allegations. He blamed incidences of bad monastic behaviour on “globalisation”, which he said causes some people – including monks – to make mistakes. “We know that some monks have committed sins such as killing, rape and violence,” Min Khin said. “But hopefully, the three days of this National Monk Congress will improve monks and encourage them to reinforce the good governance of Buddhism.” Min Khin said monks must play an integral role in building Cambodia’s developing society. “The monk’s role is not only to pray or spread the teachings of the Buddha, but also to build roads, schools, hospitals and to protect our ... national culture.” Cambodia’s Great Supreme Patriarch Tep Vong sidestepped questions over incidences of bad behaviour among individual monks, except to say that all Cambodians should follow the law. “I think that Buddhists and all people who live in Cambodia must respect the law and other national and international laws,” Tep Vong said. “The monks must respect all laws ... to eliminate suffering, jealousy, violence and social discrimination.” In October, 11 monks in Siem Reap province were defrocked following an all-night alcohol-fuelled bender after shocked villagers demanded that the monks be punished. Later that month, two monks in Phnom Penh were arrested after allegedly beating a medical student to death after the victim chastised them for drinking. According to Min Khin, the country currently has 4,392 pagodas, 1,370 Buddhist schools and 54,764 ordained monks. source: http://www.phnompenhpost.com/index.php/2009123030531/National-news/misbehaving-monks-scolded-at-national-religious-congress.html Buddhist News Features: Thursday, May 4, 2023 Vesak Extra! Sunday, May 15, 2022 Vesak Extra! Wednesday, May 26, 2021 Vesak Extra! |
Samsara Pulse Myanmar Sitagu Sayadaw receives international Buddhism promotion award in Yangon Samsara buzz How a Sri Lankan bhikkhu influenced the founding father of Israel Samsara buzz Jikji, not Gutenberg`s Bible — How Korean Buddhist monks created the first metal-printed book Thailand Unique annual candle procession graces Khlong Lat Chado, Ayutthaya Hawaii 1st Pā`ia Obon festival since Lahaina fires dedicated to victims South Korea Joint exhibition with the National Museum of Korea, the National Museum of Tokyo, and the National Museum of China Samsara buzz Gandhara Art in Xinjiang: A blending of cultures China View of Leshan Giant Buddha, a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site Samsara buzz Japanese American Buddhist reaches 110 years old Indonesia What will be developed at the largest Buddhist site in Southeast Asia, Muarajambi? Samsara buzz How Buddhism first carried sugar from India to China (and back again) Obituary Eminent Buddhist scholar Ven. Walpola Kalyanathissa Thero passes away in Geneva Thailand Seven Thai universities present honorary doctorate degree to Bhutan’s King Samsara buzz BR Ambedkar: 14 books on his struggle for the dignity of India’s most downtrodden Samsara buzz Prince Gautama’s countless faces: On Philip C. Almond’s “The Buddha” Vietnam Ancient woodblock printing saved from the chop South Korea World`s largest Buddhist encyclopedia completed in Korea France Sri Lankan twins in Paris produce Buddhist song Afghanistan Shewaki Stupa: A masterpiece from Kushan Era in heart of Afghanistan New York Times A.T. Ariyaratne: A hero in Sri Lanka for helping the poor |
Namo Tassa Bhagavato Arahato Sammāsambuddhassa.
Buddha sāsana.m cira.m ti.t.thatu.