Are Buddhist Monks Allowed to Use Money?

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https://www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/opinion/3068470/corrupt-monks-have-lost-their-way

monks dismiss the Buddha and openly take donations as personal income. Is there any shame?

The abbot of Wat Muang recently reported the theft of 10 million baht in cash and 250 baht-weight of gold from his room. Reporters asked why he was so rich. He laughed at them with disdain.

“I get 10,000 baht per invitation. Five ceremonies are 50,000 baht. Can you give me that? I only socialise with the rich. I don’t mix with krajok ngok ngoi people,” he said, mocking the poor.

Who’s to blame? Clerical authorities, for letting this greed fester? Or the public, for pampering monks and equating merit-making with blindly them giving money? Blind faith isn’t devotion. It’s complicity.

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10,000 Baht is approximately $300 usd.

In the Western countries, it is a big business with bigger stakes.

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The Thai Sangha strongly needs profound reform.

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the attitude of the laity who think, wrongly, that giving money to monks is meritorious is also a major factor.

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