Kampot temple: Head monks take the money and run

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Kampot temple: Head monks take the money and run

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Villagers have driven two senior monks out of a temple in Kampot province over allegations the pair stole donations worth thousands of dollars.
Buddhist laypeople in Kampong Trach district started protesting for the removal of the two clergymen when money disappeared after a groundbreaking ceremony at the temple last week.

The temple’s lay commission had organized the ceremony to raise funds for new fences and buildings at the pagoda in O’Chraneang village.
The monks were identified as Venerable Hun Phien, the head monk at the temple, and his deputy Venerable Chan Thoeun.

Mom Seng, an officer with Kampong Trach district police, said the total amount of cash taken was unclear, but locals say it ran into millions of riel, or thousands of dollars.They say the ceremony was well-attended and donations were made by senior officials from other provinces.
“After getting the donations, the monks held on to the money for personal use. They didn’t discuss it with the lay commission,” he told Khmer Times.
“The villagers and lay commission got angry with them and protested for them to step down on Wednesday,” he said.

The monks later left quietly in the early hours of yesterday morning.Seng Sokunchatt, the chief of Kampong Trach police, confirmed the monks had left the village.

“Police have not yet received a formal complaint from the villagers,” he said. “We cannot take legal action against them until we receive a complaint.”
The two monks and Chhoum Chhaya, the chief of Kampot’s religious department, could not be reached for comment.
http://www.khmertimeskh.com/news/36327/ ... ot-temple/
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taabarang
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Re: Kampot temple: Head monks take the money and run

Post by taabarang »

Money is the true Buddha of Cambodia, especially other people's money. Bankruptcy is a bigger sin than spiritual bankruptcy.
As my old Cajun bait seller used to say, "I opes you luck.
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Re: Kampot temple: Head monks take the money and run

Post by John Bingham »

I wouldn't be too surprised if this sort of thing happens a lot more than reported. The pagodas are a big focus for communities here, and huge amounts are donated and used. When you drive around most of the provinces, the only nice buildings in fairly impoverished-looking villages are the pagodas. A lot of the funding might come from local people who have done well in the capital/ abroad etc, but either way there are huge sums involved.
Silence, exile, and cunning.
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