Phra Dhammajayo superhuman claim to be probed

02 มิถุนายน 2559

Spirit of dead father asking children to donate money Phra Dhammajayo met in heaven not really dead, say critics.

RELIGION

Phra Dhammajayo superhuman claim to be probed

2/06/2016
Post Reporters

When Wat Dhammakaya abbot Phra Dhammajayo claimed he is superhuman, he may have breached Buddhist doctrine.

Ruling monks have been petitioned to probe this accusation.

The complaint was lodged at Wat Phichaiyat by Mano Laohavanich, once the top-ranking monk at Wat Dhammakaya and Paiboon Nititawan, former chairman of the National Reform Council (NRC) committee on religious affairs.

[Read Mano Laohavanich's Esoteric Teachings of Wat Dhammakaya published in the Journal of Buddhist Ethics here (pdf)]

MAKE DONATIONS AT WAT DHAMMAKAYA, PHRA DHAMMAJAYO HEARD IN HEAVEN

Phra Dhammajayo allegedly claimed that he had encountered the spirit of a man, Chatchai Rojkiratikan, in heaven.

The spirit asked the abbot to tell his children they should make merit and leave donations for him.

It was found later Mr Chatchai was still alive, which proved Phra Dhammajayo's claim about the spirit encounter was untrue.

MET STEVE JOBS IN HEAVEN TOO

The monk also claimed he met Apple's late co-founder Steve Jobs in heaven.

This claim is apparently acceptable and will not be probed.

PROBE HIM & DEFROCK HIM

Mr Paiboon said he wanted the monks to investigate Phra Dhammajayo and send the findings to the Sangha Supreme Council (SSC) to have the abbot defrocked.

Phra Dhammajayo is wanted on an arrest warrant approved by the Criminal Court on charges of money laundering and receiving stolen property worth 1.2 billion baht in connection with the 12-billion-baht Klongchan Credit Union Cooperative embezzlement case.

SICK SO CAN'T TURN HIMSELF IN NOW

Phra Dhammajayo cited illness as the reason for not turning himself in to Department of Special Investigation (DSI) officials to acknowledge the charges.

Phra Maha Nopporn Boonyachayo, a spokesman for the temple, said Wednesday Phra Dhammajayo is still being treated at the temple.

NO RED-SHIRT GUARDS AS RUMOURED

He also insisted the temple had nothing to do with politics.

His assertion came after photos online show red-shirt guards mingling with followers at the temple.

DSI chief Paisit Wongmuang said officials hope to prevent confrontations if officials move in to arrest the abbot.

Speaking about a meeting on Tuesday between the DSI and Pathum Thani chief monk Phra Theprattanasuthi, who was asked to liaise between the officials and Phra Dhammajayo, Pol Col Paisit said the proposals include doctors from the central authority being sent to check the abbot's condition. If the monk really is critically ill, DSI officials will notify the abbot about his charges at the temple, he added.