The recent events in Thailand are a mirror for reflection and fostering reflection, as an experience that will further strengthen and promote the values of Buddhism, the state religion, in Cambodia.
According to a news article in The Nation, several senior and respected monks in Thai society have been involved in scandals, to the point where some have even abandoned the precepts and fled abroad. That is something we should also pay attention to. Our society and Thai society are different, but despite this, Buddhism in Thailand and ours is almost the same. The incident there is also something that we can consider as an experience to prevent scandals like the one in Thailand from happening and bringing harm to Buddhism.
It is a truly shameful and humiliating incident for the religious institution, as six senior monks were suspected of having sexual relations with a beautiful woman, and not only that, up to 80,000 embarrassing photos were leaked. Among the senior Thai monks being investigated is the abbot of Wat Phisanulok.
The photos were found on the mobile phone of a woman who allegedly seduced the monks into having sex with her and then used the photos and videos to discredit the monks.
Thai media reported that the abbot of Wat Tri was also involved in the scandal. Wat Tri Thotsathep Worawihan in Bangkok, who mysteriously resigned from the precepts and left the monastery in late June. He is now believed to have fled to Laos. The former senior monk is believed to have had a secret affair with the beautiful woman. Later, she claimed to be pregnant and demanded 7.68 million baht in child support, which made the monk angry and flee.
Whether it is in Thailand or in Cambodia, true Buddhism will definitely face serious consequences. Therefore, we must promote religious worship and strengthen the Dhamma and discipline to continue to protect and preserve Buddhism, which is a rich tradition in Cambodia. This woman-woman story is the most sensitive story and is the main source that will devalue Buddhism. In addition, there may be a tendency for Buddhists to see waste and lack of transparency in Buddhist institutions.
In the past, there have been many monks who have had scandals with women, and it seems that they have been quiet for a long time. Therefore, all individuals in the monkhood should respect the duties, roles, and values that the public has given and promoted. Monks are not ordinary people, but people with high morals and ethics who can be considered as moral educators and spiritual guides to educate Buddhists. But if monks are increasingly viewed with suspicion by the public, faith and trust will be lost at that time, and Buddhism will be in danger.
In short, the scandal in the Buddhist institutions in Thailand is also an experience to inspire the leaders of the Buddhist institutions in Cambodia to promote the Dharma, discipline, and religious worship properly in order to continue to maintain and strengthen the role of religious institutions in the country to continue to grow further.
Religion and society must move forward together. And when morality in society is declining as it is today, religious institutions are even more important, but if religious institutions are also wealthy, the problem will be even worse. To date, there are many leaders in political, economic, and civil society institutions who have received their education and basic knowledge and skills from religious institutions. Therefore, we should continue to cherish and protect the values of all our religious institutions.
