The saffron-robed protest: a day which will live in infamy

That absolute deference was shattered three days ago on February 15, a date, to borrow Franklin D Roosevelt’s words, which will live in infamy for 

 Thai Buddhists. The images of men in saffron robes pushing, shoving, shouting, pulling army vehicles, breaking barricades, issuing threats and telling lies, went against every grain of the Buddha’s teaching and written rules and precepts of Buddhism. The behaviour of those few-hundreds-too-many destroyed the faith of many Thais in this social unit, and regrettably in Buddhism as a whole.

Factually, monks’ status in society has been in decline for quite some time. They regularly make headlines for all the wrong reasons. Inappropriate conduct highlighted includes having sex (sometimes with minors), as well as sacrilegious behaviour such as knowingly accepting stolen goods, drug trafficking, gambling, watching pornography rather than practising meditation, soliciting homosexual partners online, getting drunk and driving, accumulating personal wealth from donation money. Some monks preach that people can purchase a plot in heaven via monetary donations, and the more money they give, the bigger the plot it will be. The favourite blessing uttered by many monks these days is “May you be bestowed with enormous wealth” – not enlightenment or Nirvana.

Some would dismiss those so-called monks as simply parasites of Buddhism, even though their number is multiplying exponentially. But a closer look reveals a more troubling picture. The Buddhist institution in Thailand is rotten to the core, and at the expense of the Buddha’s teachings and people’s faith.

Unfortunately, this is not the first time it has happened.

Historical records indicate that during the kingdom of Ayutthaya’s final years, men in saffron robes violated the Buddha’s teaching in many ways. Some even staged or encouraged a palace coup and established themselves as kings. That was the reason the first act of King Rama I after he built the new capital of Bangkok was to embark on reform of the Buddhist institution in the kingdom. Despite his earnest effort and commitment, the troubling behaviour of monks continued into the reign of King Rama IV. That was the reason King Rama IV set up a new Buddhist order – the Dhammayuttika Nikay – alongside the prevailing Maha Nikaya. Central to the new order is the strict adherence of monks to Buddhist canon law.

One unintended and unforeseen consequence of the establishment of Dhammayuttika was the division between the two Buddhist sects in Thailand. The division grew in leaps and bounds as time passed, until it became unbridgeable. The same divide has generated intense internal animosity and rivalry, weakening the nation’s religious pillar. 

Politics crept into the many institutional religious bodies. It has turned vicious. Ranking and decorations of monks has become an obsession for those who are supposed to lead a virtuous life, foregoing all worldly possession and material accolades.

Unbecoming conduct and abuse by clergy has become less of a concern to the elderly monks and Buddhist institutions than their own promotion and well-being. Worshippers go to the temples not so much to hear the sermons but out of the misplaced belief that making alms will improve their fortunes, or prospects in their next life. Temples have become an untouchable entity in terms of supervision, scrutinising and auditing. They also seem to attract bad people who attach themselves to the temples for monetary gain.

The first visible troubling sign for the Thai Buddhist institution came during the red-shirt protests when monks jumped aboard the bandwagon and angrily shouted slogans. Then there were the monks who sought to physically attack prime minister Abhisit, throwing objects at his car.

And then came February 15.

The saffron-robed men said the soldiers had no business being at the location of their protest because that area “belonged” to the Buddhist religion and congregation. How remote from Buddha’s teaching of forsaking all worldly possessions. 

They demanded the immediate appointment of a particular monk as Supreme Patriarch, citing legal requirements. Reading through their statements and their demands, any fair mind would cringe. They were uttered in total disregard of logic and devoid of genuine principles.

The social media had a field day. Many bloggers said they would never bow and place their hands together ever again when they encountered monks. Some said they would no longer give alms or donations. Many said there was no point in keeping Buddhism as one of the three national pillars.

It was a date that could be the turning point of Buddhism in Thailand.

And for many practising Thai Buddhists, it was a wretchedly sad day.