Buddhist office to propose law for criminal penalties against monks and laypeople
Proposed law from the Buddhist Office targets both monks and laypeople, introducing criminal penalties for offences, as current rules only allow disrobing.
The scandal surrounding Buddhist clergy continues to unravel, particularly with several senior monks being implicated in inappropriate relationships with a woman, leading to some fleeing their temples, while others have voluntarily disrobed.
Inthaporn Jan-iam, Director of the National Office of Buddhism, has held discussions with Suchart Tancharoen, Minister attached to the Prime Minister's Office, and members of the Sangha Supreme Council of Thailand. They agreed to revisit the draft of the Buddhist Practitioner Promotion Act for the Fosterage and Safeguarding of Buddhism.
Currently, the National Office of Buddhism has limited power to take action against the secular parties involved, as the monks must file individual complaints for legal proceedings.
Under current Buddhist disciplinary rules, a monk found guilty of serious misconduct (Parajika) can only face ordination revocation, which results in their disrobing.
The proposed legislation, however, includes penalties for those responsible for tarnishing the reputation of Buddhism, both monks and secular individuals. A committee will be established to refine the draft bill before it is submitted for approval by the Sangha Supreme Council.
The draft of the Buddhist Practitioner Promotion Act for the Fosterage and Safeguarding of Buddhism proposes stringent penalties for monks and individuals involved in actions that harm the reputation of Buddhism, including acts of superstition, misrepresentation of teachings, and serious offences (Parajika) that lead to ordination revocation.
According to the draft:
- Monks convicted of Parajika: Sentences ranging from 1 to 7 years in prison and fines of 20,000 to 140,000 baht.
- Individuals engaging in sexual misconduct with monks or novices, regardless of gender: A penalty of 1 to 7 years in prison and fines of 20,000 to 140,000 baht.
- Monks engaged in acts of superstition, such as claiming to possess magical powers, offering amulets for sale, or making lottery predictions. They would face 1 to 7 years in prison and fines of 20,000 to 140,000 baht.
- Individuals causing damage to the reputation of monks adhering to Buddhist teachings, leading to disgrace or harm: They would face 1 to 7 years in prison and fines of 20,000 to 140,000 baht.
