‘Outsider’ abbot sought for Dhammakaya

THE NATIONAL Office of Buddhism (NOB) is pushing for the appointment of an outsider as Dhammakaya Temple’s new abbot. 
NOB director Pol Lt-Colonel Pongporn Parmsneh said that the appointment of an outsider would ensure transparency in the monastic investigation into the temple’s senior monks.
Meanwhile, Pongporn has pledged to take action against people involved in a social media video clip that revealed the planned appointment in a way that he believes damages his credibility and reputation. 
Phra Buddha Isara, his Or Noi Temple and the Dhammakaya Temple are all highlighted in the video. 
The clip showed Phra Buddha Isara speaking on the phone, with Pongporn identified as the person on the other end of the line. They were heard discussing efforts to name an outsider as the new abbot of the Dhammakaya Temple. 
“I’ve seen this clip and believed it was made to discredit me. It makes it seem like I am taking orders from Phra Buddha Isara, while in fact he has just called to check information and ask a few questions just like reporters,” Pongporn said yesterday. 
The clip appears in the Wake Up Buddhist Facebook page, with a written message saying “Exposing the Evil Plot to Take Over the Dhammakaya Temple”. 
Pongporn said he talked to Phra Buddha Isara on Tuesday regarding information that had already been released to the media. 
“I had already written to the monastic chief of Pathum Thani province on Monday that the new abbot of the scandal-hit Dhammakaya Temple should be an outsider,” he said. 
Phra Dhammachayo, the temple former abbot, and Phra Thattacheevo, the temple’s former acting abbot, are to face monastic investigations and both monks are facing legal charges. They have already been stripped of their monastic ranks. 
Phra Dhammachayo has failed to turn himself in to face charges of money laundering despite an arrest warrant. 
Meanwhile, Phra Thatthacheevo presented himself to public prosecutors of the Thanyaburi Provincial Court yesterday to fight charges of violating a junta order to present himself before the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) chief. 
The embattled monk, who was accompanied by lawyers, refused to comment.
The DSI also accused Phra Thatthacheevo of using temple funds to trade in stocks – an offence that could result in him being charged with abuse of authority under Article 157 of the Criminal Code.