Thread: 100,000 monks stand before giant golden 'UFO' to receive alms at Thai temple

Up to 100,000 Buddhist monks today gathered at a Thai temple to join a ceremony organisers said was the world's largest of its kind.
The Wat Phra Dhammakaya temple, 30 miles north of Bangkok, is famed for its enormous golden stupa, which resembles a UFO.
Today, up to 100,000 monks clad in orange robes chanted as devotees, dressed in white to symbolise the purity of the Buddha, flocked to the temple to give alms.


The Wat Phra Dhammakaya temple, 30 miles north of Bangkok, is famed for its enormous golden stupa, which resembles an unidentified flying object


Monks, clad in orange robes, chanted as devotees wearing white to symbolise the purity of the Buddha flocked to give alms


The temple is run by the controversial Dhammakaya sect, which has been dogged by allegations of corruption. The sect has a reputation for encouraging materialism and showiness, and is unpopular with many mainstream Buddhists

Another issue is a battle for the post of supreme patriarch, Thai Buddhism's top post, which has divided the country between the leading candidate, who has ties to the Dhammakaya temple, and those who oppose him.
The monastery's abbot has been summoned on Monday by justice ministry officials dealing with cases that could affect national security to face charges of money-laundering and receiving illegal donations, among others.
The abbott, Phra Dhammachayo, has said he received charitable donations but did not know where they came from.


The monastery's abbot has been summoned on Monday by justice ministry officials dealing with cases that could affect national security to face charges of money-laundering and receiving illegal donations, among others

Thailand sees Bhuddist sect receiving alms at Wat Phra Dhammakaya temple | Daily Mail Online

Originally Posted by Chittychangchang

charges of money-laundering

Wat this bunch is all about.

Originally Posted by Chittychangchang

The temple is run by the controversial Dhammakaya sect, which has been dogged by allegations of corruption.

As my missus keeps telling me 'everything is a business here, even the temples'.

It's a cult and a rich one like most of 'em

A giant nipple. How appropriate.

Ah, the uniforms, the crowds, the banners, the chanting. It only needs the torch light parade and dear Leni filming it all, and it will last for a thousand years.