Bangkok: The Office of Buddhism has put forth a proposal to the Supreme Sangha Council to consider amending the 1962 Sangha Act, which includes provisions for stripping monks of their ecclesiastical titles and removing them from all positions they hold.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Inthaporn Chan-iam, the Director of the National Office of Buddhism, announced that a special meeting of the Sangha Supreme Council took place on July 13. This meeting was convened at the directive of the Supreme Patriarch, who expressed concern over the current situation and instructed the Sangha Supreme Council and the National Office of Buddhism to address the issues to prevent future occurrences.
The proposal to amend the Sangha Act of 1962 was made by the Office of Buddhism. The existing law, which governs monastic offenses, primarily deals with violations of the Dhamma-Vinaya. However, there is currently no punishment in place for monks who commit offenses severe enough to warrant excommunication, as their obligation ends upon disrobing. Thus, a working group has been established to consider amending the Sangha Act to expand the roles and responsibilities of the Office of Buddhism.
In addition, the Office of Buddhism has initiated the development of an electronic accounting program to simplify the recording of income and expenses for temples. While previously only a request for cooperation, these measures are now being prepared for enforcement in accordance with regulations.
The Sangha Supreme Council has resolved that for monks violating the Dhamma-Vinaya and subsequently disrobing, no further action will be taken unless it involves corruption of temple funds. In such cases, the Anti-Corruption Commission will intervene, as the position of the Sangha Chief is considered a government official.
For monks whose identities remain unverified, the Supreme Sangha Council has tasked each supreme patriarch with ensuring their subordinate monks report within a specified timeframe. Failure to do so will result in their dismissal from all positions. Whether they remain monks will be determined through a fact-finding process.
The Buddhist Office will coordinate with the Anti-Corruption Division, submitting any relevant evidence to the Supreme Patriarch for action under the Dhamma-Vinaya. In cases where a teacher commits a Parajika offense, a serious violation of Dhamma-Vinaya, it results in the loss of monkhood and termination of ecclesiastical titles.