Govt must tread carefully to avoid religious row

The quarrel between the Buddhist establishment, National Reform Council (NRC) and Wat Phra Dhammakaya could escalate into a religious conflict if not handled well, three news magazines said this week.

Siam Rath Weekly, Matichon Weekly and The Nation Weekly all put the religious row on their covers.

Siam Rath Weekly warned the military government not to get involved in the conflict as it has more to lose than gain.

“There is no need to stoke the fire. If the issue spreads and becomes uncontrollable, it could provoke a serious conflict,’’ the lead article said.

The row started with a petition by the chairman of the NRC’s committee on Buddhism protection asking the Sangha Supreme Council to review its decision in 1999 clearing Wat Phra Dhammakaya’s abbot of alleged distortion of Buddhist doctrine and embezzlement.

The move prompted senior monks to blast the layman committee for meddling in religious affairs.

Assistant abbot of Wat Sa Ket Phra Ratcha-wichitpatiphan last week told the government to dissolve the NRC’s panel in 15 days or face increasing pressure from monks around the country.

At the same time, Wat Phra Dhammakaya was also found to be a recipient of more than 900 million baht in donations by the former head of the Khlongchan Credit Union Co-operative, Supachai Srisupaaksorn, accused by the Anti-Money Laundering Office of embezzling more than 10 billion baht from its members.

According to Siam Rath Weekly, Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha said he would let the Sangha administrative body handle the monastic rules matter, as the government concentrates on the embezzlement case.

“This would be in line with an old Thai adage warning lay people not to interfere in monastic affairs,’’ the article said.

“People who are found to be involved in embezzlement will be hit hard by any criminal investigation anyway. There is no need for the government to act at this time,’’ the story said.

Matichon Weekly said a comment by Phra Ratchawichitpatiphan is a worrying development in the Wat Phra Dhammakaya controversy.

According to its cover story, the assistant abbot of Wat Saket indicated the attempt to investigate Wat Phra Dhammakaya is a pretext to prevent Somdet Phra Maha Ratchamangalacharn, the abbot of Wat Paknam Phasi Charoen, from being appointed as the Supreme Patriarch.

Somdet Phra Maha Ratchamangalacharn was the preceptor of Wat Phra Dhammakaya abbot Dhammachayo when he was first ordained in 1969.

“Somdet Phra Maha Ratchamangalacharn is from the Mahanikaya sect. An indication there are attempts to prevent him from being promoted means all eyes are trained on the other sect, the Dhammayukti,’’ the story said.

This means the issue could escalate into a conflict between the two main Buddhist sects in the country, which is a delicate issue, the article said. Considering that monks have given a deadline for the NRC’s panel to be disbanded while the NRC insists it will keep pushing for reform of Buddhist organisations, there is a high chance the situation will deteriorate.

The article said it’s difficult to find a resolution when it comes to issues of religious faith. It cautioned the powers-that-be not to let a religious conflict occur as it could lead to a crisis in which everyone stands to lose.

The Nation Weekly, meanwhile, said the probe into embezzlement at the Khlongchan Credit Union Co-operative is key to the reputation of Wat Phra Dhammakaya.

Gen Prayut sent a signal for the probe to go ahead. The result will inevitably affect Wat Phra Dhammakaya and its abbot, the article said.