Dubious Buddhist religious practices under fire from young Thai monk who’s become a social media star
- Phra Maha Paiwan Warawanno is known for speaking out against the commercialisation of Buddhism and practices that claim to bring people wealth and success
- His no-nonsense approach has earned him plenty of fans (and some enemies), especially young Thais who ask him probing questions
Like most Buddhist temples around Thailand, Wat Soi Thong in northern Bangkok draws a steady stream of devotees. On a recent afternoon, several locals arrive one after another to petition the Buddha inside the temple’s assembly hall.
A motorcycle taxi driver in his profession’s trademark orange vest lights incense sticks and kneels before two large Buddha statues with the stem of a lotus bud clasped between palms pressed together in prayer. He then daubs gold leaves on one of the statues to adorn it and so earn karmic merit.
Four high-school students perform the same rituals, followed by a middle-aged street vendor who sells grilled meat on skewers from a cart, and an office worker who has come with her six-year-old daughter.
They have all come to seek favours from the Buddha: more customers for their business, more money in the bank or better grades in school.
“I would like something good to happen to my family, so I’ve come to ask for help,” says Kawee Sriwandee, a teenager who lives nearby.
“I want to make merit and receive the Buddha’s blessing,” explains Suchada Wongjan, the street vendor. “I hope for my business to get better.”