Bangkok: The Sangha Supreme Council has resolved to amend two of its regulations concerning the disciplinary punishment of monks violating the Dhamma and Vinaya. The amendments aim to expedite the process of addressing violations, ensuring decisions are made within ten days when clear evidence is available, and detailing the procedure for disrobing offending monks.
According to Thai News Agency, the amendments were announced during a press conference by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Chatchapol Chaiyaporn, an expert in Buddhist studies and acting director of the Secretariat of the Sangha Supreme Council, alongside Professor Emeritus Thongthong Chandrangsu, advisor to the Sangha Supreme Council. The changes are designed to accelerate the handling of cases involving monks who contravene the Dhamma Vinaya, with civil servants now empowered to present issues without waiting for the Sangha alone.
The new regulations introduce provisions for handling cases with clear evidence of serious violations, such as sexual misconduct or other Parajika offenses. In such cases, the National Office of Buddhism must present evidence to the relevant authorities to impose disciplinary measures, ensuring the process concludes within ten days. This responsibility extends to the Provincial Office of Buddhism for regional offenses.
The amendments address the slow pace of previous procedures, which lacked a specific timeframe. The Sangha Supreme Council’s governing body now mandates a ten-day deadline for cases with clear evidence. If officials fail to act within this period, they may be held accountable.
The revisions also enhance the role of the National Office of Buddhism in collaborating with agencies like the Royal Thai Police to gather evidence and support the issuance of disciplinary orders. The amendments encompass rules related to the renunciation of monkhood, adding detailed requirements for monks who frequently violate the Dhamma-Vinaya.
For monks found guilty of serious offenses, the process involves the DLA collecting facts and reporting to the Sangha Chief, with security officials enlisted if necessary to enforce disrobing. In cases of Parajika offenses, the disrobing process includes removing robes with or without a formal recitation, recorded in the Dhamma database.
Professor Thongthong highlighted the necessity of updating disciplinary rules, which date back to 2001, to incorporate modern evidence like technology, scientific evidence, and digital communications. The Sangha remains the final arbiter of right and wrong, though other agencies support with information.
The amendments will be enacted through the Sangha Supreme Council Act and announced in a council statement, expected to take effect by July. The council meeting was held at Wat Bowonniwet Vihara, attended by prominent Sangha members and officials, including Mr. Inthaporn Chan-aim, Director of the National Office of Buddhism.