This YouTube video has emerged and it displays Buddhist monks wearing trendy eyewear, branded travel luggage and fancy headphones. Let’s also take note of the private jet.

Director-general Nopparat Benjawatananun from the Office of National Buddhism said after viewing the video that monks from a monastery in Thailand are “not to repeat the lavish behaviour.” According to Benjawatananun, their actions were “inappropriately, not composed and not adhering to Buddha’s teachings of simplicity and self-restraint”.

The monks seen in the video live at Khantitham Temple in Sisaket province. This was confirmed by an administrative officer of the temple, Monrudee Bantoengsuk.

Benjawatananun said:

When Lord Buddha was alive, there wasn’t anything like this. There were no cars, smart phones or cameras, so the rules were much simpler.

While the monks need to keep themselves abreast of new knowledge, current events and technology, they are restrained to choose the appropriate tools.

Buddha’s doctrine is trying to be upheld by the land that has the largest Buddhist population, Thailand. But their efforts seem to be lost when monks are creating controversy for the religion. Some 300 Buddhist monks were reprimanded last year alone for outlandish behaviour. Their misconduct ranged from consuming alcohol to fornication.

[Source: YouTube, The Telegraph]