SSC sub-panel for administration urged
Play
ACADEMICS HAVE suggested that a Sangha Supreme Council (SSC) subcommittee be established in case the Sangha Act is amended.
If set up, the panel would be given the job of overseeing administration, brainstorming management strategies every three to five years as well as following up on the implementation of the Sangha Act and other related laws and regulations.
The subcommittee, whose existence should be backed by an article in the Sangha Act, would consist of monks from the Dhammayukti and Mahanikai sects as well as academics with management knowledge, while the SSC members would oversee policies, Mahidol University lecturer Pathompong Bodhiprasid-dhinand said yesterday.
Many academics say the call for the dissolution of the SSC and ecclesiastical rankings is too extreme and irrelevant in these times.
Pathompong, also secretary-general of the 100th Anniversary of His Holiness Somdet Phra Nyanasamvara Foundation, said the suggestion was made at a seminar on “How Should the Government Support Buddhism in the Age of Asean Economic Community”, held on February 28 by the university and allies of Buddhist organisations.
The academics also suggested that the government create a law-enforcement agency to ensure effective implementation of the Sangha Act and related laws.
They also called on the government to encourage the SSC to create regulations to control the behaviour of monks from other sects in Thailand.
They also proposed that the SSC set up a “Winaithon”disciplinary committee to investigate monks’ serious violations of regulations, while the government should follow up on the results of such probes.
They also suggested that the Phra Sanghathikarn School, established by the Dhammayukti sect in Wat Bowonniwet Vihara Rajavaravihara, be expanded nationwide in order to provide training in Sangha activity administration, management and accounting to monks wishing to become “Phra Sanghathikarn”.
They also recommended that monks aiming to become “Phra Sanghathikarn” should first undergo training at the Phra Sanghathikarn School.
Meanwhile, to ensure transparency in the money spent by temples or monks, many academics also suggested that a Buddhist bank be set up to facilitate and oversee temples’ transactions as per the Dhamma Winaya principles.
Also, Pathompong said, interest earned by the bank should be used to fund scholarships in Buddhism. He also said reformers should consult scholars who have expertise in the canons of Buddhism as well as qualified monks instead of just inviting social activists or democracy advocates.
