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64 EASTERN HORIZON | NEWS

Financial Transparency: scrutiny. Anonymous tip lines have A Path to Renewal
Scrutinizing bank accounts, assets, been opened to encourage public For Thailand’s Buddhist
and donation sources to uncover reporting. community, the campaign offers a
links to illicit funds. glimmer of hope amid widespread
Restoring the Sangha’s Integrity disillusionment. By confronting
Activities and Networks: This campaign is not merely systemic issues head-on, the
Investigating monks’ travel to about addressing individual government seeks to restore the
gambling or sex industry hubs and misconduct but aims to redefine Sangha as a beacon of spiritual
their ties to cults or foreign groups. Thai monkhood. The government guidance and moral integrity.
plans to revise the Sangha Act
All temples are now required to and Temple Management Act to This unprecedented reform could
submit detailed background and introduce dual state-religious not only revitalize Thai Buddhism
financial data for their abbots and oversight, ensuring greater but also set a powerful example
at least five monks. Additionally, accountability. for Buddhist institutions across
monks must declare assets and Southeast Asia.
donation records annually under a Proposals for Monastic Training
new, stringent registry system. Institutes and a three-year monk As the investigation unfolds,
licensing system, inspired by devotees are watching closely,
Temples with annual incomes Japan’s model, are also in the hopeful that these bold steps will
exceeding THB 10 million, works. Fringe sects, such as the purify the Sangha and reaffirm
frequent travelers to high-risk controversial “Nibbāna Glass City,” its role as a cornerstone of Thai
areas, unregistered “celebrity will face stricter regulation or culture and spirituality.
monks,” and those linked to past potential disbandment.
scandals are under particular Source: www.buddhistchannel.tv
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