Angel
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Monks will be told to ensure that no inappropriate activities, such as drinking and smoking, take place on temple grounds, the National Office of Buddhism said.
The order came after a mob of at least 24 men attending an ordination ceremony at Wat Sing in Bang Khuntian district stormed a nearby school and injured 12 people on Sunday. They mounted the raid after they were told to keep the noise down because a university entrance examination was underway.
Some of the attackers were reportedly drunk.
NOB assistant spokesman Weera Chamlong said the incident at Wat Sing was discussed at a Sangha Supreme Council (SSC) meeting on Thursday, which agreed to lay out strict guidelines for ordination ceremonies.
The SSC agreed to authorise the NOB to instruct the clergy to stick to SSC resolutions which ban the consumption of alcohol, smoking and other inappropriate behaviour on temple grounds.
Mr Weera said state officials will be asked to assist abbots to ensure order during merit-making ceremonies, and urged temple-goers to strictly adhere to Section 7 of the SSC’s rule on temple activities.
The section lists a number of activities that are banned on temple grounds — which includes the staging of performances that sullies Buddha’s name and teachings, gambling, the screening of obscene movies and/or images, inappropriate dancing, animal torture, and beauty pageants.
According to the section, abbots who fail to adhere to the rule will face punishment that could include dismissal from monkhood.
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https://www.bangkokpost.com/news/general/1636814/council-urges-monks-to-clean-up-ordination-act