Thai Temple to return $20 million donation amid alleged financial fraud

The Dhammakaya temple is regarded as the wealthiest Buddhist temple in Thailand. Its members include some of Thailand’s most powerful politicians, but the temple itself is at the center of a financial fraud scandal and has agreed to return a 20 million U.S. dollar donation. The case is prompting calls for greater scrutiny over religious institutions in the country.

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[believer]

Correction here ..Buddhist don't beleive in Reincarnation but in Rebirth... both are totally different if you study deeply

[rweerakkody]

Emphasis on donations? That's obviously milking the laity. Dhammakaya is not buddhism. Its a cult. Too many scandals

[cheehar]

I think we need to put things in perspective.
(1) Religion itself is open to all, and anyone, regardless of their background or social status. Being one of the largest temples in Thailand, it is inevitable that there are devotees from all walks of life.   (2) Buddhism places great importance on generosity because it is seen as the origin of wealth.
The Law of Karma states that “we shall reap what we sow”. And if we provide for the happiness of others through our generosity, the karmic fruit will be that we’ll be provided for in our own happiness & convenience.  We need resources such as wealth in our future rebirths. This is different from greed.  Without wealth, we will not be able to continue to give. By practicing giving, it also roots us of our greed, one of the defilements.  Donations made to Dhammakaya temple not only went into the building of religious facilities; the funds also go into humanitarian works such as the Nepal Earthquake relief funds, the flood victims in Thailand in 2011; creating more than 30, 000 financial aids to teachers in Southern Thailand; etc.Rather than highlighting the modernistic design of the temple & it being the wealthiest temple, did we seem to have neglect and sweep under carpet the good works done by the temple over the past 50 years?   (3) What the video did not highlight, is that Dhammakaya Temple places strong emphasis on practicing meditation. It is only through practicing meditation that we are able to train our mind, to be able to be think clearly; learning to reflect upon ourselves; be compassionate & learn to understand the truth of life. It is also through meditation that Buddha attains enlightenment. Thousands and millions around the world have benefitted from practicing meditation. The happiness and benefits of people around the world are testimonials to the temple’s true teachings.

[sandgold]

The very wonderful great performing !!🎉

[chrisamon]

This is a goodbye and I never bother coming back at Wat Phra Dhammakaya in the Khlong Luang district in Pathum Thani Province.

[samsariclife]

Donating in temple is not a shameful merit good karma, we believe in karma cause and effect we offerings to temple and temple will looks whole sentient being that's the culture of Buddhism. Don't make fake issues on Buddhism CCTV communist propaganda

[vineethasamarakoone]

May Lord Buddha bless you with Gautama Buddhahood🙏

[buddhasknowbest]

Donating and expecting good karma is not shameful. The hoarding of wealth is disturbing but this is a problem with many temples.

[white-pigeonnok]

เรารักหลวงปู่สด และหลวงพ่อธัมมชโย..สาธุๆ

[peacockruby]

Wat phra Dhammakaya I loved temple in my heart do you know

[fedupwthu]

OK from real life exp. The dhammakaya has a branch in a city i won't name in southern california. They bought a MANSION to practice buddhism. My cousins family was all about giving to this temple and my parents never really religious got suspicious. CCTV news if you guys want a story i have one.

[kimmah]

We are talking about human rights and freedom in faith & belief...When things involved extraordinary big scale of construction and extraordinary pool of people, meaning they are open to the world, that explain the scale we see in this vdo clip.

Unusually seen does not equal to wrong or we can deny it's existence, just like air or electricity, they can not be seen but they are with us, their existence could only be felt by those who are exposed to them. Similarly, you can only know how this temple operate until you step into it to see the actual things for yourself.

As the teaching of Lord Buddha: Ehipassiko... O, come and see for yourself.

[Byu]

This is more like a colt than a buddish.