Monastic chief orders Dhammakaya monks back to their temple
All monks of Pathum Thani-based Dhammakaya Temple who were performing activities outside the temple, especially those attending a protest at Klong Luang Central Market, were ordered to return to the temple on Wednesday, according to an order sent from the Pathum Thani monastic chief to the acting abbot of Dhammakaya.
[Other moves:
Dhammakaya monks eat in street after being ordered to use designated gate
Reports of complaint by European Buddhist group denied]
The order issued by Phra Theprattanasuthee, who is also abbot of Wat Khien Khet, also required the acting Dhammakaya abbot to ask monks who were not registered to Dhammakaya Temple and were currently staying within the compound to return to their own temples.
The monastic chief also took this opportunity to remind the acting abbot about his February 1 inquiry regarding the exact number of monks registered with the Dhammakaya Temple, so that the monastic authorities could arrange enough food to be sent in for them.
As part of the order, the monastic chief also instructed the acting abbot that a “Phra Winyathikan” police monk, a district monastic monk and a representative of the National Office of Buddhism should be present at negotiations between the temple and the authorities in order to ensure a smooth process.
Department of Special Investigation deputy spokesman Woranan Srilam revealed the details of the monastic chief’s order. He said authorities had found that there were 800 monks and 1,300 laypeople in the temple, while another 150 monks and novices plus 700 laypeople were at the market.
The DSI also confirmed that although a court-issued search warrant had expired, the junta order, backed by the all-powerful Article 44 of the interim charter, will authorise officers to continue searching the temple until the wanted former abbot Phra Dhammachayo is found or until there is no doubt that he is not there.
