Fake monks

[TheRedGaruda]

What Buddha predicted came true, as the world gets more materially wealthy, spirituality will be like a gem in the desert. There is already a significant decline seen in the number of monks in Thailand. http://www.dorjeshugden.com/forum/index.php?topic=2914.0

Nothing to rejoice about, but more of an encouragement for those who are already on the spiritual path and believe for it to be good and true. If we do, perhaps the motivation to preserve the pure lineage will only be strengthened upon hearing news such as this.

There are fake monks, fake pastors, fake Fathers, fake nuns etc. We all have to accept that there are those who use religion to their benefit. There are those who need no attire to cheat the churches, temples and synagogues.

We have to keep in mind that at the end of the day, it's between you and God - and not you and them. Focus and concentrate on your spiritual path.

There are already enough distractions!

[buddhalovely]

Here's another example of how fake monks are in risk of endangering the reputation of buddhism.

Two fake monks caught boozing and womanizing in Beijing now have extra time to meditate in police custody.
The duo had appeared in video clips online wearing Buddhist robes, drinking liquor on the subway, depositing piles of cash at an ATM and checking into a luxury hotel with two women.

Master Puzheng, a spokesman for the Buddhist Association of China, said the two men intended to vilify the image and reputation of Buddhism.

The pretend monks were taken away by police on Saturday after they came to Fayuan Temple, posing for photos with two women, and were recognized by students of the Buddhist Academy of China next door.
One of the two men had changed into plain clothing, the other was still in a monk's robe. They first shouted back defiantly that the students were not authentic Buddhist monks either. Cornered and desperate, they asked to call police, which the students had already done.

Police in Beijing's Xicheng district are investigating the case, but revealed no further details about the two fake monks on Monday.

Xinliang, 22, a student at the Buddhist academy and witness to the incident, responded on his blog to online comments that some monks at the scene were over-excited.

Some of the young monks questioned why two pretenders had no concern or respect for Buddhism. Some tested their basic understanding of Buddhist classics and found the results very poor. Some ridiculed the men, saying they had done it to gain fame.

Xinliang said the students at the institute aspire to become Buddhist masters, they are idealists but are nevertheless young and hotheaded, ready to protect their faith.

Puzheng said the Chinese Buddhist Association is strengthening its supervision over issuing certificates to Buddhist monks. He added that people should be wise to false Buddhist monks and have zero tolerance for similar cases, so that Buddhism can be practiced in peace and purity.

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/cndy/2012-04/10/content_15009026.htm

[apprenticehealer]

It is very disturbing that there are so many news of these fake monks in the media.

I have seen many a time monks in their robes, holding their alms bowl asking for money, and when food is offered instead by some unsuspecting kind person, these monks actually say that they would rather have money . These monks usually hang around market places that have a high chinese population, fully knowing that most chinese respect monks and will offer to what is being asked. After they have 'collected' enough, hails a taxi and goes off!!!!

They are creating such negative karma for themselves by imposing as monks to con people, by causing disrespect to the genuine Buddhist communities and the sangha and for using the ill gotten money for their own self cherishing materialistic minds. i feel it is also very negative to 'hide behind ' the robes to abuse people's kindness and generosity.

With all the publicity in the media, people nowadays think twice before they donate or make offerings to genuine religious causes or to charities. So many organisations have suffered from the lack of funds and sponsors nowadays due to all these con men. I really hope for stricter punishments to be imposed on
these fakes!!!

[Midakpa]

Posing as a monk to obtain money is a new form of begging which is very lucrative. There should be a law against this type of activity. It is obviously cheating innocent people who think they are helping the monks. By right, people should only give food, scriptures and robes to the monks, not money. When people give money, it encourages fake monks. Real monks therefore, should reject money or ask the person to donate directly to the temple. Real monks do not receive money directly from people. It is against the pratimoksha vows.  But nowadays, unfortunately, some ordained people allow people to give money to them directly when on their alms rounds. They should not accept money while on their alms rounds. They can, however, accept money as donation for services such as doing prayers in homes, giving blessings etc. To prevent and discourage fake monks, it is a matter of educating the public. One can do this through newspapers and the TV. When lay people are aware of these rules, they will not donate to the fake monks.

[Tenzin Malgyur]

I reckon many people with bad intentions are taking advantage of the fact that monks are very highly respected and they could easily get some money from the unsuspecting 'victims'. With so much awareness of these fake monks going around, it is time the people on the streets stop giving money to monks who demand money instead of food or other offerings. Or they could also make their money offering at temples. I am sure the fake monks would stop their activities if they are not getting money from the people on the streets.