Found this article which was posted on the Buddhist Channel.
More Moral Integrity Please
by Vajrakumara, The Buddhist Channel, Dec 6, 2010
Singapore -- A 'monk' who is an 'abbot' made grave mistakes. He has yet to express clear and open repentance for his multiple misgivings, even after being jailed. Most Buddhists are enraged at why the local Buddhist federation is not disciplining him - e.g. by defrocking him or demoting his monastic status.
Some Buddhists support him, saying he had paid his dues. But how about paying the Buddhist community affected by his shamelessness with a sincere apology in word and deed?
No, he agrees to attend an extravagant $200,000 dinner to 'honour' him by his devotees instead, when the money can go to the charity whose trust he seriously damaged. What is worth honouring anyway? The senior monks, including the one who ordained him refuse to comment. This is the summary of the situation so far.
While the 'monk' seems to lack the moral integrity to apologise, it is uncertain that the federation has power to trial the 'monk' because of it is not truly a central Buddhist body authorised by the Buddhist community to look after all matters of monastic discipline. In fact, it is questionable if the federation has enough moral integrity to judge him too.
For example, please see these articles on the serious mishandling of a recent international incident - 'Singapore's Minster did NOT Meet the Panchen Lama' (http://www.buddhistchannel.tv/index.php?id=22,9581,0,0,1,0) and 'Please Do Not Mix Religion & Politics' (http://www.buddhistchannel.tv/index.php?id=22,9582,0,0,1,0).
The federation itself has not yet apologised on this matter - of endorsing a puppet 'monk', which indirectly supports keeping the real one a political prisoner.
Back to the case of the unrepentant 'monk', it seems that all the key monks involved are at fault to some extent. Correctional action is wanting on all sides. What is the protagonist doing, by not apologising?
What is his teacher doing, by not openly demanding him to apologise publicly? What are his devotees doing, by feeding the 'monk' with undeserved honour? What is the federation doing, by not pulling up its socks of respectability by doing what is right and needed? (If it cannot defrock or demote the 'monk', he should simply be publicly denounced - to shame him appropriately as a last resort - to wake him up.)
What are the other apathetic monastics and laypeople doing, by remaining silent on this? If Buddhists do not care for the integrity of their community, who will? We will only be a laughing stock to non-Buddhists. The Buddha is unlikely to smile at this.
his good deeds are his bad deeds, his bad deeds are also his good deeds.... many see the bad in the monk while others see the good. whatever it is, is none of our business. it's his karma and he alone shall face the effect for the cause he has sown.
now what would be that "effect"? again, it's none of our business. but hell!! we are so kay poh to know!! :(
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2 comments:
I don't think from his perspective, he has committed any grave sins. After all he is still human and like us, do err once in a while.
Perhaps, the issue most of us have with religious leaders is arrogance and materialism.
How can religious leaders be so rich and powerful in SIN baffles me.
Religious leaders should be like mother Teresa, powerful in getting her hands dirty, not in getting her hands on condos, luxury cars and fat bank accounts etc etc.
A simple life takes a lot of discipline when the rests pursue glamor, glitter and god like status.
if one knows he sins, then there won't be sin. again, if one realises he has sinned and repents,perhaps he would be a better person. everyone SINS!! but who dares to admit, repent and rectify?
GOD, buddhist teachings and etc are there to make man more human. then again, man are there to exploit all these goodness to make himself richer at the expense of the humanistic nature.
we point at the other who sins. when the conditions are conferred unto us, how steadfast are we to attest our faith and integrity amd remain unperturbed and true to our belief and teaching?
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