The Sangha Supreme Council (SSC), the highest governing body for Buddhism in Thailand, has reiterated that monks and novices are strictly prohibited from predicting lottery results or engaging in any form of gambling practices. The ban is not recent. It has been in place since September 1, 1955. However, certain instances in recent times necessitated a stern warning from the Sangha.
Thai Buddhist Sangha Reinforces Ban on Monks Predicting Lottery Results: Key Insights
- Thailand’s Sangha Supreme Council has issued a reminder to monks and novices across the nation to stop acting as gambling seers, noting that it violates religious beliefs and federal regulations.
- The announcement came after reports of senior monks allegedly participating in gambling-related activities surfaced. The council noted that such activities undermine Buddhist teachings and spread public mistrust.
- Instances of misconduct in monkhood have increased in recent years, with the most prominent cases being related to money and undisclosed business practices.
The Need for Reinforcing the Ban
The Sangha Supreme Council of Thailand has reiterated the age-old ban on monks predicting lottery results, warning that such actions undermine Buddhist religious teachings and violate federal laws. The notice comes amidst several reports of monks, including senior clergy members, acting as fortune tellers to make gambling predictions.
The council has issued a stern statement:
Monks and novices are forbidden from acting as fortune tellers for lotteries or engaging in gambling-related activities.
The message highlights a long-standing concern that such behaviour undermines Buddhist teachings and corrodes people’s trust in the faith and those practising it:
Monks who present themselves as mystical figures or fortune tellers are breaching discipline. Such behaviour fosters superstition, distracts people from honest work, and misleads society. Monks must focus on discipline, meditation, and teaching Dharma. Any monk or novice found violating these principles by engaging in gambling-related practices will face disciplinary action.
This is not the first time that such a ban has been enforced. The Sangha Council outlawed monks from acting as lottery seers on September 1, 1955. Violators were strictly penalised with punishments of up to defrocking.
The original decree prevented holy men from participating in gambling, drinking, or disguising themselves as common people to take part in such activities. The goal has always been to preserve the integrity of Buddhist principles and prevent clergymen from being associated with activities that could tarnish the religion’s image.
Rise in Complaints Forces the Sangha to Enforce the Ban
Despite these measures, some clergymen continue to promote themselves as mystical beings to attract followers. In a recent incident, the abbot of a reputable Rai Khing temple was arrested for embezzling temple funds and using them to gamble online. Such cases are not as rare as one would imagine, forcing religious and federal authorities to take necessary action.
The National Office of Buddhism has been coordinating closely with government authorities to evaluate law proposals to criminalise certain misdeeds currently punished only by religious sanctions. Provisions could include superstitious practices such as predicting lottery results, promoting amulets with mystical powers, or claiming to possess supernatural abilities.
The action was necessitated since monks often use their influence to attract followers. There have been instances of seers using social media to increase their reach. This problem is exacerbated in certain Thai communities, where superstitions and belief in lucky numbers are deeply rooted in daily life.
Enforcement remains a significant challenge as accusations are often informal or difficult to locate or prove. Only in cases where evidence is present or there is public outcry can authorities launch an internal investigation or initiate appropriate legal action. In a nation where religion and community are deeply intertwined, safeguarding faith is a priority.
The Sangha Council’s recent clampdown on senior monks and new members of the clergy is as much about safeguarding the moral principles of Buddhism as it is about keeping society safe from religious exploitation. Thailand could soon set up the necessary framework to prevent monks from exploiting their reach and influence.