Faith reform needed

re: "Men of cloth, not paper" (BP, Editorial, April 9, 2022) 

Dear editor,

When has the nationalistic religion known as Thai Buddhism, created by and for powerful political players, ever been primarily about the teachings of the Buddha rather than the pursuit of power, property and prestige in line with its political origins? Why else would the original example have been set of gifting literally gilded temples and images to monks except to serve very secular goals of using the religion so endowed as a means to keep the masses passive and peaceful underfoot as they contributed to the coffers? Why else would Thai Buddhism have political protection and control at the highest level? The very existence of such a thing as the government's National Office of Buddhism shows that Thai Buddhism's primary function is political.

If Thai Buddhism is to move from worldly concerns towards following the wise teachings of the Buddha, an essential reform is to free it from state management. Annul the National Office of Buddhism and other political control of the religion that it may independently pursue and preach the wisdom of the Buddha to the great benefit of those who will listen. 

 

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The above letter to the editor is the text as submitted by Felix Qui to the Bangkok Post.

The text as edited was published in PostBag on April 12, 2022, under the title "Faith reform needed" at https://www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/postbag/2293930/faith-reform-needed