Vipassana Meditation Master
Acharavadee Wongsakon
Every time I hear of a scandal involving monks, I usually feel like an outsider. I’ve never come close to the monks involved. But on the 9th of July, I received a message from my student.
“There’s a massive scandal in monk community today.”
I clicked the news link and it shook me. High-ranking monks were caught in sexual misconduct, two of them having previously visited the Manasikarn Hall, a spiritual tourist attraction of exhibition on Buddhism and Buddha’s teachings that I founded, and even joining important ceremonies there. I said to myself, “This time, we’re getting hit really hard.”
Apart from chairing Knowing Buddha Foundation, I also teach Vipassana Meditation. Having 25 years of Vipassana practice, I’ve realized this truth: a monk who doesn’t practice serious Vipassana Meditation is likely to fall when temptation arises. Without strong mental discipline, they can’t restrain their desires.
This is why I rarely place trust monks who don’t practice seriously. I still revere the saffron robe, but when I see monks lacking restraint, I instinctively distance myself from them.
I recall when Phra Thep Vajirathiraphon visited us in Saraburi. We prepared a warm, respectful welcome. I bowed deeply at his feet; he was gracious, friendly, and praised our retreat center. Later, Phra Thep Phawanamethi visited too – another high-ranking monk. His refined demeanor and prestigious title made a strong impression. After his visit, I even asked staff to enlarge our group photo to hang on the wall.
Then came the shocking images: one monk playing snooker and massaging a woman’s feet, another lying beside her. If there were a word stronger than “crushed”, I’d use it.
I feel sorrow not for myself, but for the Buddhist religion and the faithful who feel deceived.
It’s hard to separate reverence for the robe from the monk inside it, especially when the monk wears a lofty title, expectations rise.
Now I look back on the day I bowed, and I think of the same voice that once blessed me now used to sweet-talk a woman. Their past decorum was merely a performance to gain trust while cloaked in the robes.
I don’t regret bowing myself to them, but I worry deeply for these monks. Do they realize the karmic weight of their deception? Just misleading the public is grave enough, but deceiving sincere practitioners multiplies the sin.
A monk who fails to restrain himself not only harms himself— but tarnishes the whole institution of Buddhist monks.
When laypeople bow to monks, they do so with faith, believing they have renounced worldly desires, that he follows the Buddha’s path, and is the source of merit/goodness.
So when a monk engages in sensual misconduct yet still chants holy texts and teaches Dhamma, does he feel no shame at all? Thousands of Pali chants, years of sermons have they not pierced through defilements?
I worry for those still wearing robes. Do they know how costly one single prostration to a corrupt monk can be for them, for their Karma?
That act of bowing is more than a gesture. It’s a sacrifice of ego, a belief in the monk’s worthiness. If a monk realizes he’s lost to temptation and disrobes, it’s forgivable. But to know you’ve fallen and still play the role of a righteous ascetic, waiting until exposure forces you to leave that is deliberate deceit.
Such behavior dishonors the sacred saffron robe.
The only way monks can protect themselves is to strictly follow the code of conduct and seriously practice meditation.
As a layperson who practices Vipassana, I would like to humbly asked all monks to clean their mind from the Impurity Force. Start with mindfulness, practice breath meditation, deepen into Vipassana to burn away the roots of craving.
Otherwise, no matter how noble your intentions at ordination, you’ll fail when tested. Reciting texts and speaking Pali fluently doesn’t conquer defilements. It’s only the beginning practice is the path.
Age in the robe, eloquence, or scriptural fluency doesn’t guarantee you’re closer to enlightenment. In fact, they may become traps fueling pride and pulling you closer to downfall.
Yet, my faith in Buddhism remains unshaken. This is not a failure of the religion it’s a failure of values. As long as the Impurity Force lies dormant, ignorance will rule, and Buddhism will suffer.
Laypeople know too well that the monkhood is vulnerable to two things: money and women. For the latter, monks should close three doors: 1. Don’t look women in the eyes 2. Don’t be alone with a woman 3. Avoid an unnecessary conversation.
If you can’t uphold the path, please disrobe. One prostration by a layperson can cost a corrupt monk an eternity in hell.
If the Monk Assembly doesn’t wake up to this and fix the problem at its root; the conscience, faith cannot be restored.
A supporter of one of the fallen monks said to me, “This is worse than heartbreak. I thought I was loved back – only to learn it was all a lie. I feel betrayed.”
This is where we are now as a society trying to make peace with betrayal. Today, seeing saffron robes no longer inspires pure faith. There’s always a flicker of doubt that “If I bow, will I be betrayed?” It’s not just the religion that needs healing, so do Buddhists. But as long as there are monks who still possess conscience, there is still hope.
“Take down the photos of the two former monks.”
That was my final instruction.
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