On the fourth parajika: Claiming of supernatural powers
jameswang wrote: So what if he has? It's still an offense for making claims of psychic powers.
“Should any bhikkhu, without direct knowledge, claim a superior human state, a truly noble knowledge and vision, as present in himself, saying,"
This rule of defeat is applicable only when the Bhikkhu
lies about his meditative attainments. Therefore, I asked if the abbot really has vijja or nana of the past. If he has, then wouldn’t this precept remain intact? However, my concern and my doubt is the practical application of this rule. How do you prove that a Bhikkhu is lying?
Can any venerable share their understanding of the fourth parajika and how it is accessed to be broken?
On unfair treatment of WPD
jameswang wrote: Do you see any unfair treatments?
Yes, the extremely harsh and extrajudicial use of Article 44 on a temple, with unarmed devotees. Are they a national threat to safety? I'd say this is bully.
As for your post about the music video and that your allegation that the human rights may be copied from somewhere, may we know where? We could use some mention of that somewhere. And I don’t think a music video posted on their site is enough to
discredit the website.
On the abbot surrendering
jameswang wrote:
(1) If he knew, why didn't he just go to the police station and save the temple the raid?
(2) Anyway, instead of sleeping in tents, they can choose to go home, right?
(1) If Luang Phor Dhammajayo did, it’s likely he’ll be forced to disrobe. Why? Because DSI made things difficult for him and the temple. For example, DSI could have video-conferenced to him the charges, but they didn’t. They made things horrendously difficult. This is possibly the start of what led to the imposition of Article 44, and all the human rights violation we see today.
(2) They cannot choose to go home. If you mean WPD’s monks, their temple
IS their home. And the DSI has currently blocked monks from entering their temple, and hence their home.
On asking for fixed donations
jameswang wrote: Is it normal in Thailand or Singapore for Buddhist organizations to ask for specific amount of donation?
That's about a month's salary for some people there, right?
At WPD’s Singapore, also known as DCS Singapore, it does not ask for a specific amount of donation. Even though I’m not very close to the centre, I’ve attended their beginner and intermediate meditation classes for about 2-3 times and also many of their activities.
In terms of donations, DCS Singapore does not often ask for fixed donations – devotees are free to give any amount they like. But for bigger projects, like the construction of Singapore’s new permanent centre, a lot of funds is required. And they’ve set the minimal donation at certain sum (there’re tiers as well).
I believe (in my opinion), this will encourage devotees to raise more funds to build the new temple and encourage them to donate more (within their capabilities, of course). It is a month’s salary for some people, but the common practice is to pool money and offer it as a group.
I’m not sure about Wat Phra Dhammakaya in Thailand, but from what I can remember, there’re minimal donation amounts for certain projects as well.
TRobinson, am I correct?
I’m not sure about other temples in Thailand, but this can be a topic of discussion:
Minimum sum for donations, and tiered contributions.
On "Free" stuff
jameswang wrote: Anyway, your free stuff came from people like "form".
Yes indeed James, the temple is a non-profit organization. So, the “free” stuff are financed or given by devotees. And it’s because of the devotee’s support that the temple is there in the first place. Moreover, giving “free” stuff isn’t specific to WPD. In Singapore, the
Singapore Buddhist Lodge provides free vegetarian meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner) for the needy, which is possible only with the funds donated from devotees.
Hence, I don’t see what’s the issue with giving of free stuff here, James.
Warmest regards,
Exonesion