Thai junta aims to control Buddhist fundamentalism

Subject

Buddhist fundamentalism in Thailand.

Significance

The government’s National Office of Buddhism announced on March 22 that it intends to appoint a new abbot for the Dhammakaya wat, the country’s largest Buddhist temple and the centre of a religious movement with millions of followers. The previous abbot, Phra Dhammachayo, who is facing charges of money laundering, land misuse and embezzlement, was stripped of his monastic rank by King Maha Vajiralongkorn in February. This is the most high-profile corruption scandal in the Thai Buddhist sangha (clerical leadership) in a generation.

Impacts

• Regional Buddhist fundamentalism will intensify local backlashes against ethnic and religious minorities in South and South-east Asia.
• Peace talks with southern separatists would have a better chance of succeeding if the junta controls Buddhist excesses.
• Anti-Christian sentiment among Buddhist fundamentalists puts Christian health and education facilities at risk.