Let it be known: thirst traps are not the Buddhist way.
One Buddhist monk (or at the very least, someone pretending to be a Buddhist monk) is learning that lesson the hard way after some shirtless photos have attracted criticism from the upper ranks of Buddhist authorities.
The pics popped up on social media, cropped at the head Grindr-style.
How about we take this to the next level?
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“Against monkhood discipline, this man has put on clothes similar to monk robes and taken photos of himself with fit muscles online,” said Narong Songarom, deputy director of the National Office of Buddhism.
“Although not a grave error in the monk’s way, it is an earthly sin that invites societal criticism and damages Buddhism.”
“Building muscles and putting photos up on social media like this is a monk that forgets his vows of monkhood,” added Phra Payom Kalyano, abbot of Wat Suan Kaew in Nonthaburi.
“It’s inappropriate because it invites criticism and tarnishes our religion. If you want to exercise and have a muscular body just stay home instead of being ordained.”
Buddhist monks see exercise as vanity, which is likely why monks in Thailand face a growing obesity problem, prompting the government to release a Monk Health Charter in 2017 to advise monks on a healthier diet.
This Buddhist hunk has some reflecting to do.
DarkZephyr
I didn’t realize that Buddhism slut shamed. Disappointing. Reminds me of Tumblr’s new policy.
pharaon.em.joe
I was thinking of converting to buddhism.. not anymore. (Obviously a joke, not into cults)
gravityyaoi
Buddhism doesn’t. While Buddhism does discourage earthly delights and material possesions, there are many sects with much more lax rules. In all likelihood this is a Thailand problem as they have a fierce stance on the sanctity of religion or anything royal.
imperator
Becoming a Buddhist no more requires taking monastic vows than becoming Christian does taking them. The philosophy discourages vanity, materialism & attachment generally, but monks/clergy are held to more stringent standards of observance than lay practitioners.
batesmotel
Haha. True. Their comments seem extreme. Nothing wrong with caring about your physique. They should try it!
Bryguyf69
DarkZephyr & batesmotel – This has nothing to do with “slut shaming.” Having a toned and healthy body is fine, but spending time on it or showing it off run counter to Buddhism, especially if you’re a monk. It’s one reason monks shave their heads. The key is not to distract from the spiritual. Bodybuiding is certainly a distraction, both to the monk and his social media followers. As for “slut,’ that implies sexual activity and monks are expected to be celibate.
And no, there is on “slut shaming,” per se. While Buddhism encourages modesty (on everything, from sex to wealth), it is a religion of personal enlightenment. As such, it does not promote the judgment of others. So there is no shaming. That is very different from the Abrahamic religions — most notably Christianity and Islam — which are not only judgmental, but also violently punitive. Hence the Inquisition and Crusades (which fittingly, pitted Christians against Muslims) — and homophobia.
Buddhism is neither inherently anti-sex nor homophobic. Any such expressions are more societal than religious. Yes, homophobia exists in many Buddhists nations, but that’s due to cultural factors, e.g. male machismo or the desire for procreation/grandchildren, and not Buddhism. As such, it’s much easier to rid homophobia in these nations because it’s a practical matter, and not one by divine decree. Families no longer need hoardes of offsprings to farm the land, so there is less of a focus on procreating. And that leads to gay equality.
Hussain-TheCanadian
Oh dayum your holiness, I need you to go over the four noble truths with me privately please, i’ll bring the hand cuff…sorry I mean i’ll bring my solemn vows of oral worship.
AlexEf
@DarkZephyr Clearly you don’t know much about Buddhism.
DarkZephyr
Clearly I don’t. I agree with you.
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HereIAm
Don’t be a Buddhist monk if you are not ready to let go of your vanity. There is nothing wrong with having a nice physique but just like a Catholic priest who is supposed to be celibate (it’s not just a decision; it’s a vow to God), you are not qualified to be a monk if you still desire the earthly stuff.
Kangol
This hardly compares to the Buddhist monk caught doing PnP and filming himself getting banged out. But then even some monks just want to have (dangerous) fun!
hansniemeijer
Is this fake news????????
PinkoOfTheGange
Under the current Thai regime probably not.
Billy Budd
My mom is a buddhist monk. She chose that profession exactly because it demands her to be celibate. She abhors sex. Therefore she found a perfect place in budhism.
Most people who become priests do so because they want either to HIDE abnormal sexuality or ESCAPE from sexual contact
Billy Budd
By the way, these photos are photoshopped. The angle from the pecs to the abs is too sharp, distorted.
Godabed
Okay so he’s super skinny, and need to eat. nope not thirst at all for this.
Casinoguy
I went to a few Hare Krishna temple events with my boyfriend and I was amazed at all the INCREDIBLE beefcake boys jumping around in those loose, thin, nearly see through pants and enjoying their bouncing junk which kept my interest much more than the spirit of the event… sorry… my horniness took over!
Edude
Social media is suffering.
Edude
For a sociable person
there are allurements;
on the heels of allurement, this pain.
Seeing allurement’s drawback,
wander alone
like a rhinoceros.
— The Rhinoceros Horn
Creamsicle
Gonna go out on a limb and suggest that an actual aesthetic monk would be unlikely to have or obtain an ab roller. My guess is that this was someone trying to play thirsty dress up games on Instagram or something.
He’s plenty aesthetic in other ways. Maybe he’ll find a niche following among hippy woo circles. He can give speeches full of useless platitudes at overpriced yoga retreats while everyone pretends to be profoundly spiritual.