Biker Monk seeks justice

[zubber]

Friday, December 18, 2009

Krabi motorbike monk seeks media justice

Phra Tossaponchana shows the Daily News article denouncing his chosen method of alms collection, as well as a Forestry Department certificate backing up his temple's land usage rights.

PHUKET CITY: A monk from Krabi made his way to the Phuket press club office yesterday in an effort to clear his name following a newspaper report that he was breaking the monk’s code of conduct by using a motorbike instead of walking during his morning alms collection.

A photo of Phra Tossaponchana Kommasutho of Wat Tamtheppratan in the Muang District of Krabi was published in the mass-circulation Daily News on November 10.

The feature showed the monk begging for alms in Tambon Tab Prik aboard a Yamaha Nouvo motorbike.

The report alleged than Phra Tossaponchana didn’t care that the public tends to view it as inappropriate for a monk to use a motorbike, especially when collecting alms.

Phra Tossaponchana said the reporter never asked him why he needed to use a motorized conveyance to conduct his alms round.

The negative publicity had badly damaged his reputation, he said.

์์ื์์None of the 227 precepts for clerical conduct set down by the Lord Buddha specifically forbids the use of a motorbike, he said.

In addition, he had already asked for, and been granted, permission by higher-ranking monks to use the motorbike.

Phra Tossaponchana said he needed to use a motorbike because of the length of the route.

The real reason behind the report is a land dispute with a high-ranking government official who wanted to develop over 30 rai of beautiful temple land with caves as a tourist attraction, he said.

Phra Tossaponchana presented a certificate issued by the Forestry Department to back up his claim that the temple had the right to the land.

When Phra Tossaponchana resisted, the aforementioned official began a smear campaign against him, causing local residents to denounce him as profane.

“Claims that I spoke harshly with villagers are completely false. I only spoke in such tones to those who would despoil temple grounds,” he said.

Phra Tossaponchana said he had already filed a complaint about the article with the Muang District Police about the alleged defamation and encroachment on temple grounds.

He has already petitioned the Ministry of Education, Government House and the National Counter Corruption Commission about the case, he told reporters, adding that he expected action soon.

http://www.phuketgazette.net/news/detail.asp?id=8132

[dirtydog]

I've given lifts to monks in my car, back of my bike, doubt there are any rules about it, although of course the main ones I have given lifts to in my car are supposed to be walking from temple to temple sort of thing, sod that in this heat.

[Stinky]

Silly really, they can catch lifts or bus's, even ride the occasional dog

[jizzybloke]

I nearly ran one over this year, the dickhead walked out in front of me expecting me to stop and pick him up!

[PlanK]

None of the 227 precepts for clerical conduct set down by the Lord Buddha specifically forbids the use of a motorbike, he said.

An oversight to be rectified in his next incarnation.

[smeden]

in the willage where my gf is from they are so poor they carnt afford a temple bnider monks liveng steady there the monks come from the nearest temple but they aall come on the back of a pick up truck but they make their servises and the people there dont mind as long the monks kome and do their servises so the willage can give alms but only ewry sqnday morning the people in the willage give the monks food when i am in the willage i always as falang go and GREAT THEM WHITH THE FAMILI AND GIVE SOME CASH (100 OR 200 BATH)BUT I LOVE TO LOOK AT IT

[taxexile]

money money money, thats all they ever want.
to build bigger and flashier temples.
they have an easy life.
very few genuine ones these days.

the brainwashed will give them their last baht in the hope of a better life next time round.

[crippen]

in the willage where my gf is from they are so poor they carnt afford a temple bnider monks liveng steady there the monks come from the nearest temple but they aall come on the back of a pick up truck but they make their servises and the people there dont mind as long the monks kome and do their servises so the willage can give alms but only ewry sqnday morning the people in the willage give the monks food when i am in the willage i always as falang go and GREAT THEM WHITH THE FAMILI AND GIVE SOME CASH (100 OR 200 BATH)BUT I LOVE TO LOOK AT IT

. . . .. .... .... Have a few of these