I love this reporter so much. He is always so respectful of other cultures and you can tell he sees these people as actual people and not a story to exploit.
I feel as if the whole plot was set by the opposition of the temple as some sources were so biased especially Mano Laohavanich. For those who would like to know more about this person, Wikipedia is good, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mano_Laohavanich. I won't trust anyone who works with the military junta!
pretty much every reporter i've seen on this channel has been extremely kind and respectful to the people they're interviewing, but especially this reporter. i really appreciate how he doesn't get snarky with the people and stays polite even if he 110% disagrees. keep up the good work y'all!
I feel as if the whole plot was set by the opposition of the temple as some sources were so biased especially Mano Laohavanich. For those who would like to know more about this person, Wikipedia is good, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mano_Laohavanich. I won't trust anyone who works with the military junta!
This 'presenter' and his brother have been practicing conceit for decades. I'm surprised as to how people are continually taking in by their deceit. They are professional trolls.
That's part of their brainwashing, The glowing space ship orb in the middle to keep them all memorized.. It's all space weird oddysey cult bs..divine after life.. oh man..same as this one..Iglesia ni Cristo was founded by Felix Manalo in 1914 in the Philippines.. Same.. give money give money..control control control
But for Abbot. He built temple for others. To be a place to spread meditation to everyone without desire that they must convert to Buddhism. He believes world peace through inner peace. You guys can search from his project.
@@DrSuper1902 Are you blind?? The only things helping him blend in are his clothes and his dark hair. His phenotypes and especially his very tall height make him extremely easy to spot because unlike him, these people are Asian. I hope you're not going to sit here and tell me that they're white because a lot of them have fair skin. Quite a few Thai people have Chinese heritage and those with stronger Chinese genes tend to be lighter skinned but Indigenous Thai people are dark skinned. By your logic they would be black. You sound dumb as shit man.
What the professor said is true. Buddhism promotes giving, but only to the extent that is reasonable to one's capability. Giving includes monetary donation, but it shouldn't be the main thing. The main thing is to improve oneself to be a better person by being less susceptible to greed, anger and delusions. This is a lifetime process. It looks like the abbot had cleverly deceived the followers by focusing on monetary donations. The path to Nirvana cannot be reached by monetary donations alone, one must practise the path to purity.
I hope I'm not being ignorant at all, but even Christ told his disciples that the poor old women who gave mere pennies gave more than the rich men around her.
@@vids595 You're assuming I know nothing about Buddhism. I know enough to know it varies greatly, from somewhat secular to absolute cult. Frankly if there some way to milk a system of any kind to make money and exploit people someone will probably attempt it.
Please do not put thailand citizens into one group and make accusations. Most thais are very naive and just want to have good luck and want to make sure to have a better next life. As a half thai half austrian i can see why you, as a not thai or austrian person, put germans (and austrians) into a category, you believe that everyone is racist, just like u believe all of thai people want to have your western money. This is an informative video. If you watch this video, you have to watch every other video about thailand to understand at least a bit. Just like you need to know everything about german culture at hitlers time. Sorry to say, but ur uneducated to say sth like this
But for Abbot. He built temple for others. To be a place to spread meditation to everyone without desire that they must convert to Buddhism. He believes world peace through inner peace. You guys can search from his project.
to me real buddhism is giving away to those who need it - and its rarely cash donations like that. our temple had a donations box but never asked anyone to donate. instead they asked us to volunteer to go with them to help the poor by giving them food or going to old folk homes. we give what we can, it is the heart and intention that matters
But for Abbot. He built temple for others. To be a place to spread meditation to everyone without desire that they must convert to Buddhism. He believes world peace through inner peace. You guys can search from his project.
I understand that for Theravada Buddhists, letting go of the things that hold you to this existence is part of the path to enlightenment (see: money, sex, anger, power, etc.). However, why can't this sect's followers see that building grandiose temples is just as bad, being that it's also a form of attachment?
They are brainwashed by the narcissistic cult leader. Most of them most likely have deep roothed trauma, that the cult leader exploits. It`s no different than what the Vatican has been doing for over 1000 years. And what Trump did to the Republican party. That is turning it into a brainwashed cult that he could exploit for money, power, and unlimited narcissistic supply ( attention).
Buddhism has been turned into a money making tool in many countries. I live in Vietnam, just next to Thailand. Many of the once humble but "highly spiritual" temples here are been reconstructed to look like some kind of castles. Of course they are built from a massive amount of donation and have always had "big hands" like corporates or people from the government that give them even more money, which is actual money laundering under the cover of "donation". Their monks, who always advice people to give away and live a humble life, live a wealthy life, wear Cartier and eat in 5 star restaurants. So I'm not even surprised to watch this documentary. I've visited Thailand and always knew that behind all of these massive, wealthy temples, there's something more to tell. It's all messed up nowadays.
@@Dzidzeme yeah you can just establish your own church and collect donations. The best thing about that is the State won't collect taxes. So you are free to splurge on luxury things, buy house and sports cars just like what they do in African countries.
@@muhammadsukriramli8041 yes there is greed but those are kinds of people who choose to walk on that path And there is people walking opposite of that path where greed crated Even you blame it to church it depends on the people what path they will take not all church lead you to evils path
There’s a ‘branch’ in Azusa, CA. I went as a kid, forced by my aunts and uncles. My parents saw it as a cult, but was later converted. They use to try and recruit. Telling us to bring our friends. This temple does not care for its people they just care about money. My grandmother gave this place all her money in order for them to purchase a mansion. My grandmother was a refugee. She sold her land from her homeland. She did not receive any government benefits until later on in life. They convinced her to donate. She donated everything. The temple use to sell pendants based on how much you donated. The followers would always try and up one another basically using these Chinatown pendants as a flex item to show how much they donated. The temple didn’t care that she didn’t have an income. They just said to donate everything. In Asian culture, when your parents get older, the kids take of their elders. They knew they’d be able to get more money out of my grandmother through her kids. They took the money and turned the mansion into this goudy joke. They prey on the followers saying the more you donate the better your life will be. Asked my family if their life has been better, they all respond with ‘no, because we haven’t donated enough.’ Red flags everywhere. Stay away. 17:30 is what happened to my grandmother and my family.
Very true and exceedingly well composed. Every word. There is also an inherent gender bias in their belief of reincarnation. The temple explains that anmals are animals today because in some past life they were of human form and made some mortal sin. The temple also explains that women are women today because in some past life they were of male form and violated the precept of adultery. The "perfect form" or "perfect body" is genderless and looking rather male, as the temple likes to describe. If this doesn't bother people any more than the personal account described, I cannot imagine what does.
@@vids595 You're not taking into account any delay in time. For instance, a few thousand to even a million years. You're also not accounting for possibly multi-dimensional reality whereby there are an infinite number of Earth realities all with a unique play. (That was in general, I have not read that link).
I could already tell from the thumbnail which cult (yes, cult) he's talking about. They are notorious in Thailand for essentially doing shit like "selling" positions in heaven, as in, donate x amount of money to get to y level of heaven. It's obvious to anyone outside the mega cult the absolutely ridiculous nature of their teachings, religious or otherwise.
I feel as if the whole plot was set by the opposition of the temple as some sources were so biased especially Mano Laohavanich. For those who would like to know more about this person, Wikipedia is good, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mano_Laohavanich. I won't trust anyone who works with the military junta!
@Chosen One join the church of the plunger no skywizards, just tax exemption and party games. (USA only) and maybe a golden plunger in the sky that created our universe by unclogging a toilet.
It's quite smart for the leader to disappear- he's not a visible person to the followers, merely a myth, a whisper, an idea. It helps him achieve the goal of being God-like by becoming something intangible to the followers (even if people sorta know where he is).
@@niamh7180 Missed my point completely. No deity or God in Buddhism yet this charlatan believes he is God showing how far off the mark his $hitty €nterprise is.
Yes This was how Buddhism reasoning diverged from the many philosophical POVs in Buddha's time circa 500 BCE. Only Buddha reached an understanding of nonduality, which means you create your own outcome as no divinity as patriarchal god ever existed. All is beginningless and endless. There is no middle of space, no beginning or end of time.
"modern Buddhism for modern times" meanwhile they got flag from the time of the roman empire. yeah no, that is not modern times, you need some sick neon signs.
Best reporting I've seen in decades. No condescension and very little in the way of personal feelings on the part of the journalist. Everyone who has a stake in the situation gets a fair shake, the chance to tell their side. Thanks for a great job done.
you've fallen for bull too, they're not special and neither are you. everyone can be vulnerable, stop looking down on your brothers and sisters just because you've noticed their weaknesses.
I'm Thai. They're essentially a cult, preying on desperate people. People don't fall for it right away, they slowly get coaxed in with sweet rewards and brainwashed. Heck, you can even see a very young child in the video. They're roped into this unwillingly and by their loved ones. Cults are the worst.
Precisely. Simply as much as one is not a Christian, but how one is a follower of Jesus of Nazareth. Everyone learns from young age, when playing the game of "telephone", to more people in the circle, and the more ears you whisper in to, one by one in turn, the more the story changes as it moves around that circle. It is very difficult to be objective as a subjective human.
Giving donation meaning reduce selfishness in current life or even at that moment of giving. It is not suppose to get rich in next life or show off or expecting good karma in return. If selfishness is not reduced or even becomes more selfish, then stop the donation. Choose other ways like meditation, study Buddhism, volunteer works and so on.
There’s a Buddhist temple near where I work. I’ve driven by it countless times. Super beautiful building with really unique architecture for middle TN.
7:11 completely unrelated but his dude speaks extremely eloquently and seems very intelligent Edit: also shouldn't you guys have blurred his face? He's saying a lot of things against a large, powerful and financially influential organisation, bit worried for the dude
Tbh that last shot before the credits looks very much like a Nazi ceremony. I think it’s the banners, they look very similar to the ones the Nazis used
In Buddhism beliefs, accusing a monk embezzling money from the Sangha without any reasonable doubt is the worst karma one can obtain in any life time. Therefore, for those people to accuse the Abbot such wrongdoings, their story must have at least half the truth in it.
This is so western that it actually hurts to see Buddhist Hindu people going in this direction. Please stop. Be it Nirvana or Moksha is upon individual actions not on some temple or sect to give you that liberation
Isn't this pretty much every religion? Have you seen how rich some "pastors" are Edit: I mean in terms of making money, Dhammakaya took it to the extreme, the way it's set up is like casino or chuck e cheese but instead of games, it is meditation.
When I lived in Bangkok , one day they shut down a major road in sapaan Mai and monks were walking in a big parade and people were throwing flower petals at their feet. I’d never seen this before so I asked an old man ‘what’s going on here?’ And he said ‘they’re blocking the damn traffic that’s what’s going on!’ I was so shocked because Thai people were very respectful to monks and then I asked my mother-in-law and she explained that it was a new group of monks and many people disliked the way they interpreted Buddhism and thought the were fake monks. It’s a real shame and the other two groups of Buddhist in Thailand should come out and say that they don’t recognize this group as Buddhists before they ruin Buddhism in the eyes of the lay followers.
Abbot "DiMaggio", sounded like an Italian Mafia boss, and there he was, laundering stolen cash, wore sunglasses like the Mafia Godfather and hard to find..
Look - the role of the bowl is that you can get as much as people with put in your bowl. Before they were smaller but with the time they were getting bigger and bigger. And now? They just fill them up and put the food in the basket and then collect more 3:13
£300,000?!? I’m sorry, I get how a cult works, but if you’re my spouse and you’ve seen how hard I’ve worked day in and day out for that money and you give it away like that, we’re on bad terms FOR LIFE
I live in the Dominican Republic and I'm interested in your episode ''Dominican Republic: Evil in Paradise'', I want to spread awareness about the problem of child prostitution we have, but I need a version with Spanish subtitles or a way to download the video to add them myself. Please reach to me, it would be a great help if the people who have to watch that video the most can actually understand what they are saying. I think it should be an option for all this documentaries to be sub in the language of the country you are talking about, if you want to promote real change. Sorry for posting on an unrelated video, I don't know how else to contact you guys.
Anyone who has any decent background in Buddhism knows that monks are not allowed to touch money. There are 227 precepts observed by a monk. The 10th is not to touch gold, silver, or currency.
Indeed. If I had to boil all 227 of them down into a single Grand Unified Precept (GUP), only of gedanken use of course, it might go something like this: "No living thing must pass judgement on any living thing." Not killing an ant walking across the table means a larger form (human) must not judge and value its life more than a smaller form (ant), for example. Not making up to be beautiful means not judging ourself that we're not as good unless look like someone we are not, or have something like someone else, for other example. However, this GUP statement in itself is judgemental, because no living thing must tell any other living thing what to do, or what not to do. The apparant paradox means either that Buddhism is inherently self-inconsistent, or that the GUP is flawed and missing some otherworldly constant term.
I do not know the reporter and his work group but in all the videos they are always very professional and with a high quality of content. I love this channel
Damn now that I see this. I dont think i can go back home and see my uncles and aunts. They literally go to this temple and worship him... I didn't think it was that bad. I thought it was just another rich temple.
Main purposes is probably to launder money but also most people are stupid enough to donate because they think they will get some spiritual benefit from it
Once a religion is asking it’s believers to “Donate” sure. But, if they say you’ll be blessed and live a higher life if you donate, that is no religion, that is a CULT. Donation is a means of helping, not to use as means of taking advantage of the false delusion of “self fulfillment.”
I think it is a stretch to call them a 'cult'. It's more of a revivalist buddhist movement. You can't distill everything into 30mins with a easy answer. Also like they said all monks and temples rely on donation. Either food or money.
I adore Marcel Theroux for his being in the thick of it, never giving attitude or ask if anyone's crazy for giving away thousands. In Ukraine's Underground children, he squeezed into openings not much bigger than a basement window. The smell of glue, so overwhelming, he was there 5-7 minutes then out. The kids quickly followed. I saw Marcel as an older brother, an uncle, a dad figure who was listening. When's the last time any of them were spoken to with such care & concern without yelling, cursing or being hit? Slavic, who said he didn't want to drink, was caught by Marcel. I detected Marcel was disappointed with the 16-year old. I am my mother's son, can't change myself. The 14-yo gf seemed to have an epiphany after his "I have nobody to support me." If Oksanna could get herself out of the gutter, get sober, get her daughter back & create a new, clean family, it IS possible! Marcel reported on the Japanese Pin-up girls and there's no question how he feels about that. Marcel Theroux, thank you for bringing back the integrity of journalism. The TRUTH DOES matter!
19:23 minimally this sect of Buddhism is unwittingly or wittingly by the evil in some of their members, stuck in greed. Which anyone studying Buddhism knows greed is a deep taint that must be uprooted. This sect has let greed soak into their sect. This causes them their backlash, and they cannot deny this, but need to overcome this, and repay their members wishing to be repaid their money donations. In the historical Buddhism discourses, in the Pali Canon, donating places for the monks to live and stay, while the monks moved around from place to place, this happened during the Buddha's time. Donating straight money to the monks/nuns, I've read nowhere in the Pail Canon as yet. Suffering is the deciding factor. If whatever relationship the monks are causing to the followers, which is suffering, then the monks have to resolve this. In cases involving disagreement between spouses of their joint donating of riches or money to the sect, the backlash of suffering to either spouse is the most important fact. All ex follower instance of suffering, ought to be resolved by this sect of Buddhism. Greed is one of the greatest taints to overcome, and a sect that causes suffering from their greed, is wrong. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TODAY: Anyone can today study in well written/translated English, the Pali Canon and read the discourses of the Buddha, as if one is being taught by the Buddha themself! I suggest anyone interested in Buddhism take advantage, if they are English speaking, with the beautifully published volumes of the Pali Canon published by Wisdom Publications. And additionally, anyone can listen to the full works spoken in well spoken English of these modern translations. Audible has the majority of the Pali Canon in audible books, to listen to. I suggest just listen to the good modern translations of the Pali Canon, learn Buddhism that way.
15:55 Also: she needed the west and its consumerism to make this kind of money. I am also wondering how much her workers are making? How their karma lets them live, what kind of level of lifestyle?
It was said once, that "religion is the opium of the people." Following in faith is, thus, an addictive behavior of sorts. Funny things happen when someone is addicted to something. AA teaches us that, to become sober, one must first admit they are powerless to themselves. The first of the Four Noble Truths teaches us that, to cease suffering, one must first admit to themself that they are suffering. Consumerism, capitalism, and karma are, thus, a merry-go-round called denial.
Dear Western media - if these allegations are true, how is Vatican any different? They even created their own country so no one dares ask any questions. Does anyone know how they spend their money and what is Pope's worth?
People were critical to the ways of obtaining donation. But the essense of the Dhammakaya is the precious meditation method of attaining the 'direct experience' of Jhana and Wisdom through the samatha and Vipassana stages. It is a precious tradition derived from the lost tradition of esoteric Theravada. As a Buddhist who study serenity and insight meditation, vijja Dhammakaya method is very precious.
I love this reporter so much. He is always so respectful of other cultures and you can tell he sees these people as actual people and not a story to exploit.
You should go check out his brother Louis Theroux his even better
@@vids595 Louis and Marcel are two of the nicest men you could ever meet.
@@byee5056 OMG, I was just thinking he has the same approach! Although he seems a tad less quirky than Louis?!
@@gailshore8540 We should all have such lovely approaches to each other and the world!
I feel as if the whole plot was set by the opposition of the temple as some sources were so biased especially Mano Laohavanich. For those who would like to know more about this person, Wikipedia is good, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mano_Laohavanich. I won't trust anyone who works with the military junta!
"We wear the same clothes so we're all equal"
Also
"June bought the front seats"
😆
@Fyfhfr 1088 What the hell are you even talking about? Nobody cares
pretty much every reporter i've seen on this channel has been extremely kind and respectful to the people they're interviewing, but especially this reporter. i really appreciate how he doesn't get snarky with the people and stays polite even if he 110% disagrees. keep up the good work y'all!
"This reporter" is Marcel Theroux, Louis's brother. They are both lovely, professional, respectful men.
I feel as if the whole plot was set by the opposition of the temple as some sources were so biased especially Mano Laohavanich. For those who would like to know more about this person, Wikipedia is good, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mano_Laohavanich. I won't trust anyone who works with the military junta!
Never trust any so call holy person who wears designer sunglasses.
This 'presenter' and his brother have been practicing conceit for decades.
I'm surprised as to how people are continually taking in by their deceit.
They are professional trolls.
@@ramatgan1 Untold Millions in the US are sucked in by con men every Sunday
How about a monk wearing a Patek watch?
Getting Jim Jines vibes for sure lol🙃
Fuck yeah that was my first thought
All I can focus on is how the temple in the background of the ceremony looks like a UFO.
made me think of this particular simpsons scene th-cam.com/video/5ktXvWIrNw4/w-d-xo.html&t=615
I thought it looked like a giant nipple
That's part of their brainwashing, The glowing space ship orb in the middle to keep them all memorized.. It's all space weird oddysey cult bs..divine after life.. oh man..same as this one..Iglesia ni Cristo was founded by Felix Manalo in 1914 in the Philippines.. Same.. give money give money..control control control
But for Abbot. He built temple for others. To be a place to spread meditation to everyone without desire that they must convert to Buddhism. He believes world peace through inner peace. You guys can search from his project.
@@thequacken2659 lol, you made me laughed so hard.
Reporter: I'm hoping to blend in with the crowd.
Reporter in the crowd: *only tall white guy in a 50 mile radius*
they are literally all white are you blind?
Agreeing with that statement depends how racist one is
The blend in comment made me laugh out loud as impossible.
@@DrSuper1902 Are you blind?? The only things helping him blend in are his clothes and his dark hair. His phenotypes and especially his very tall height make him extremely easy to spot because unlike him, these people are Asian. I hope you're not going to sit here and tell me that they're white because a lot of them have fair skin. Quite a few Thai people have Chinese heritage and those with stronger Chinese genes tend to be lighter skinned but Indigenous Thai people are dark skinned. By your logic they would be black. You sound dumb as shit man.
@Richárd Primusz "race" is white bs pseudo science.
This is the Worst nirvana gig ever ... wtf literally no decent guitar riffs.
gig started at 23:39
😅
🤣🤣
I was waiting for Smells like teen spirit the whole time
What the professor said is true. Buddhism promotes giving, but only to the extent that is reasonable to one's capability. Giving includes monetary donation, but it shouldn't be the main thing. The main thing is to improve oneself to be a better person by being less susceptible to greed, anger and delusions. This is a lifetime process.
It looks like the abbot had cleverly deceived the followers by focusing on monetary donations.
The path to Nirvana cannot be reached by monetary donations alone, one must practise the path to purity.
@@niamh7180 True. But we must endeavour to do God's work, by being good, kind and peaceful people.
I hope I'm not being ignorant at all, but even Christ told his disciples that the poor old women who gave mere pennies gave more than the rich men around her.
@@sobree9743 Yes, it depends on the purity of mind when we give
@@niamh7180 why are you spamming Christianity here?
@@RLekhy God is One. God is Unity.
That poor man. You can see the pain and the sadness in his eyes. Too many people have been lost to false prophets and promises.
That woman who gave 12 mn.. huh seriously 😐 where do they park their brains
All prophets all false
"Well believe me, I have a mole."
Dang chills, man.
He should check it out, maybe it's cancer not just a mole
@@whosam2756 hahahhaha.
Mole means undercover person it's a term they use.
🤣🤣
W W oh I see lol
I guess Buddhism isn't immune from the "prosperity gospel" poison.
@@vids595 You're assuming I know nothing about Buddhism. I know enough to know it varies greatly, from somewhat secular to absolute cult.
Frankly if there some way to milk a system of any kind to make money and exploit people someone will probably attempt it.
I was about to say this. any religion can be corrupted.
@@WhyDidntIInventYT not just religion. Anything in the world can be corrupted. All you need is darkness in your heart.
That’s what I was thinking. It’s exactly like the prosperity gospel.
Ah, so Thailand's own version of Scientology. Rich people more than welcome!
Not really
haahaa so true! I think i just saw tom cruise and john travolta on stage wearing white 🤣🤣🤣
Please do not put thailand citizens into one group and make accusations. Most thais are very naive and just want to have good luck and want to make sure to have a better next life. As a half thai half austrian i can see why you, as a not thai or austrian person, put germans (and austrians) into a category, you believe that everyone is racist, just like u believe all of thai people want to have your western money. This is an informative video. If you watch this video, you have to watch every other video about thailand to understand at least a bit. Just like you need to know everything about german culture at hitlers time. Sorry to say, but ur uneducated to say sth like this
th-cam.com/video/Nkvea5BwDcE/w-d-xo.html
But for Abbot. He built temple for others. To be a place to spread meditation to everyone without desire that they must convert to Buddhism. He believes world peace through inner peace. You guys can search from his project.
The irony is crazy! Donate to not be poor in the next life, but your draining your funds in this life...
to me real buddhism is giving away to those who need it - and its rarely cash donations like that.
our temple had a donations box but never asked anyone to donate. instead they asked us to volunteer to go with them to help the poor by giving them food or going to old folk homes.
we give what we can, it is the heart and intention that matters
What is with cult leaders and bad sunglasses choices
they aren’t following Buddhism, they’re just doing business.
But for Abbot. He built temple for others. To be a place to spread meditation to everyone without desire that they must convert to Buddhism. He believes world peace through inner peace. You guys can search from his project.
Good job The Dhammakaya Temple like cult nazi German 😂
I understand that for Theravada Buddhists, letting go of the things that hold you to this existence is part of the path to enlightenment (see: money, sex, anger, power, etc.). However, why can't this sect's followers see that building grandiose temples is just as bad, being that it's also a form of attachment?
No different to Christ's teachings being corrupted to fund the papacy and the extravagant lifestyles of televangelists.
There is knowing the path and walking the path. Living in many buddhist countries taught me that we are all only human. All too human.
Because anything for use of the sangha is utlimately for the Benefit of their Liberation.
They are brainwashed by the narcissistic cult leader. Most of them most likely have deep roothed trauma, that the cult leader exploits. It`s no different than what the Vatican has been doing for over 1000 years. And what Trump did to the Republican party. That is turning it into a brainwashed cult that he could exploit for money, power, and unlimited narcissistic supply ( attention).
Buddhism has been turned into a money making tool in many countries. I live in Vietnam, just next to Thailand. Many of the once humble but "highly spiritual" temples here are been reconstructed to look like some kind of castles. Of course they are built from a massive amount of donation and have always had "big hands" like corporates or people from the government that give them even more money, which is actual money laundering under the cover of "donation". Their monks, who always advice people to give away and live a humble life, live a wealthy life, wear Cartier and eat in 5 star restaurants. So I'm not even surprised to watch this documentary. I've visited Thailand and always knew that behind all of these massive, wealthy temples, there's something more to tell. It's all messed up nowadays.
I agree with you pal! They all fake!
It’s a shame. Luckily we still have true practicing monks like in the Thai forest tradition.
@@reptarhouseLoL theravada isn’t even original buddhism
So basically it's the old "prosperity gospel" but within buddhism.
Come spend money to get even more money in our premium spiritual casino!
Lol i was thinking that when i saw his megatemple
@@niamh7180 Why the hell are you spreading you cultist sect on a report criticising another cult?
The church is a business. Religions are form of businesses
Very lucrative businesses at that.
@@Dzidzeme yeah you can just establish your own church and collect donations. The best thing about that is the State won't collect taxes. So you are free to splurge on luxury things, buy house and sports cars just like what they do in African countries.
@Christina Reynolds worship of god or do you refuse to see that your religion and believe is being used to statisfy other people greed
Business really? Explain your side
@@muhammadsukriramli8041 yes there is greed but those are kinds of people who choose to walk on that path
And there is people walking opposite of that path where greed crated
Even you blame it to church it depends on the people what path they will take not all church lead you to evils path
There’s a ‘branch’ in Azusa, CA. I went as a kid, forced by my aunts and uncles. My parents saw it as a cult, but was later converted. They use to try and recruit. Telling us to bring our friends. This temple does not care for its people they just care about money. My grandmother gave this place all her money in order for them to purchase a mansion. My grandmother was a refugee. She sold her land from her homeland. She did not receive any government benefits until later on in life. They convinced her to donate. She donated everything. The temple use to sell pendants based on how much you donated. The followers would always try and up one another basically using these Chinatown pendants as a flex item to show how much they donated. The temple didn’t care that she didn’t have an income. They just said to donate everything. In Asian culture, when your parents get older, the kids take of their elders. They knew they’d be able to get more money out of my grandmother through her kids. They took the money and turned the mansion into this goudy joke. They prey on the followers saying the more you donate the better your life will be. Asked my family if their life has been better, they all respond with ‘no, because we haven’t donated enough.’ Red flags everywhere. Stay away. 17:30 is what happened to my grandmother and my family.
Very true and exceedingly well composed. Every word.
There is also an inherent gender bias in their belief of reincarnation. The temple explains that anmals are animals today because in some past life they were of human form and made some mortal sin. The temple also explains that women are women today because in some past life they were of male form and violated the precept of adultery. The "perfect form" or "perfect body" is genderless and looking rather male, as the temple likes to describe.
If this doesn't bother people any more than the personal account described, I cannot imagine what does.
Not exactly what the Buddha envisioned from his teachings. 🤦♂️
but it is in line with the teachings of Adolf Hitler.
@@vids595 You're not taking into account any delay in time. For instance, a few thousand to even a million years. You're also not accounting for possibly multi-dimensional reality whereby there are an infinite number of Earth realities all with a unique play. (That was in general, I have not read that link).
Very far from true buddhism. Scam
@@niamh7180 lol
I could already tell from the thumbnail which cult (yes, cult) he's talking about. They are notorious in Thailand for essentially doing shit like "selling" positions in heaven, as in, donate x amount of money to get to y level of heaven. It's obvious to anyone outside the mega cult the absolutely ridiculous nature of their teachings, religious or otherwise.
I feel as if the whole plot was set by the opposition of the temple as some sources were so biased especially Mano Laohavanich. For those who would like to know more about this person, Wikipedia is good, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mano_Laohavanich. I won't trust anyone who works with the military junta!
Woah..
@@katet.9811 really interesting article, thanks for sharing
I think the vinaya, the rule of conduct that the Buddha left for his disciples) says that monks aren’t even allowed to touch money.
Meanwhile the church is exempt from paying taxes while they pass around "donation bowls".
join the church of the plunger today to turn your house into a church and be except from taxes (in the USA)
@Chosen One join the church of the plunger no skywizards, just tax exemption and party games. (USA only)
and maybe a golden plunger in the sky that created our universe by unclogging a toilet.
@@Kalleosini Buying a plunger as we speak
@Chosen One the church of the plunger is an atheist parody religion like the flying spaghetti monster, your racism wont work on me son.
@Chosen One go back to school then
TBH tho, "money-obsessed cult" are a good way to describe a lot of religious organizations
Sounds like those evangelic mega churches and Scientology.
Prosperity gospel is the main driving force in all three of those.
@@emilychb6621 So true! We have a lot of those in my country too.
Imagine how much money she makes by selling uniforms to all those followers.
It's quite smart for the leader to disappear- he's not a visible person to the followers, merely a myth, a whisper, an idea. It helps him achieve the goal of being God-like by becoming something intangible to the followers (even if people sorta know where he is).
"I donated my husband"
Ok...
"I am God..." - Surely no God in Buddhism?
@@niamh7180 Missed my point completely. No deity or God in Buddhism yet this charlatan believes he is God showing how far off the mark his $hitty €nterprise is.
Yes
This was how Buddhism reasoning diverged from the many philosophical POVs in Buddha's time circa 500 BCE. Only Buddha reached an understanding of nonduality, which means you create your own outcome as no divinity as patriarchal god ever existed. All is beginningless and endless. There is no middle of space, no beginning or end of time.
@@teresaboze69 Beautifully stated Teresa!
There are thousands of gods in Buddhism, they’re called devas. You can be reborn into one, if you have good karma.
i thought this was about nirvana the band
😅
Ok .. 🙄😛
Elabato a mosquito an albino... YEAH!!! .... now it is
Same
"modern Buddhism for modern times"
meanwhile they got flag from the time of the roman empire.
yeah no, that is not modern times, you need some sick neon signs.
I’ll make my own Buddhism with Blackjacks and Hookers
ahahah your comment made me laugh, "Sick neon signs", nice!
@@niamh7180 stop copy and paste your religion
ATM machines at the temple?!
Automated teller machine machines?
Ngl....I was shook
Best reporting I've seen in decades. No condescension and very little in the way of personal feelings on the part of the journalist. Everyone who has a stake in the situation gets a fair shake, the chance to tell their side. Thanks for a great job done.
It’s the Jim Jones sunglasses for me lmao
When I was in Thailand, the local dealer actually lived with the Monks, in a temple. He would offer all the tourists "things" on a daily. Madness.
he shouldl have been kicked out
Watching this a realising my mum belongs to this sect... Time to get her out.
It’s amazes me people fall for such bull
you've fallen for bull too, they're not special and neither are you.
everyone can be vulnerable, stop looking down on your brothers and sisters just because you've noticed their weaknesses.
@chrismacsims the irony is so dense we're going to have a black hole on our hands.
@chrismacsims I just think it is very telling that you mention the leftist cult without mentioning the rightist cult
I'm Thai. They're essentially a cult, preying on desperate people. People don't fall for it right away, they slowly get coaxed in with sweet rewards and brainwashed. Heck, you can even see a very young child in the video. They're roped into this unwillingly and by their loved ones. Cults are the worst.
@chrismacsims same, same.
The guy who lost his wife to the cult I feel sorry for him.
The Doctor reminded me of Varys from Game of Thrones. “How do you know he’s there?” “Oh believe me.” (I have little birds.)
Fantastic. Cult leaders, Intrigue, corruption and love - the reporters brother, Louis Theroux would give this a thumbs up too!
Thanks for clearing that up, I kept thinking is that Louis , it sounds like him but he looks totally different, I was very confused, now I see!
Abraham Tsfaye same comment all the time ? Seems like you could be in a cult yourself .. Just saying !!
His name is Marcel nor Louis
The Jim Bakker, Jimmy Swaggart, Joel Osteen, Jim Jones. etc..of Buddhism???
With COVID going on I wouldn't feel so safe around all those people.
Great video as always 😊💕
So many hungry and deserving people that those donations could help 😥
I am from Nepal. Buddha was born in Nepal and this is not buddhism.
Precisely. Simply as much as one is not a Christian, but how one is a follower of Jesus of Nazareth.
Everyone learns from young age, when playing the game of "telephone", to more people in the circle, and the more ears you whisper in to, one by one in turn, the more the story changes as it moves around that circle. It is very difficult to be objective as a subjective human.
Giving donation meaning reduce selfishness in current life or even at that moment of giving. It is not suppose to get rich in next life or show off or expecting good karma in return. If selfishness is not reduced or even becomes more selfish, then stop the donation. Choose other ways like meditation, study Buddhism, volunteer works and so on.
Dhamakaya is business.Well organized.Not, the real Budbism.
www.jw.org/en/bible-teachings/questions/what-gods-kingdom-will-do/.
Yes.
Interesting
There’s a Buddhist temple near where I work. I’ve driven by it countless times. Super beautiful building with really unique architecture for middle TN.
7:11 completely unrelated but his dude speaks extremely eloquently and seems very intelligent
Edit: also shouldn't you guys have blurred his face? He's saying a lot of things against a large, powerful and financially influential organisation, bit worried for the dude
Tbh that last shot before the credits looks very much like a Nazi ceremony. I think it’s the banners, they look very similar to the ones the Nazis used
In Buddhism beliefs, accusing a monk embezzling money from the Sangha without any reasonable doubt is the worst karma one can obtain in any life time.
Therefore, for those people to accuse the Abbot such wrongdoings, their story must have at least half the truth in it.
Yeahhhh trueeee
Killing your parents is the worst karma you can make.
This is so western that it actually hurts to see Buddhist Hindu people going in this direction. Please stop. Be it Nirvana or Moksha is upon individual actions not on some temple or sect to give you that liberation
You sound really uninformed about beliefs and pratices of these two philosophies.
Prey of the temple not just temples it appeals to every religious org with establishments. Feeding off of hard earned money of good people.
Coming out with so many videos lately thank you so much!! My favorite channel
I feel so bad for that 65 yr old guy breaks my heart ! And yes evil cult like Scientology !
Isn't this pretty much every religion? Have you seen how rich some "pastors" are
Edit: I mean in terms of making money, Dhammakaya took it to the extreme, the way it's set up is like casino or chuck e cheese but instead of games, it is meditation.
When I lived in Bangkok , one day they shut down a major road in sapaan Mai and monks were walking in a big parade and people were throwing flower petals at their feet. I’d never seen this before so I asked an old man ‘what’s going on here?’ And he said ‘they’re blocking the damn traffic that’s what’s going on!’ I was so shocked because Thai people were very respectful to monks and then I asked my mother-in-law and she explained that it was a new group of monks and many people disliked the way they interpreted Buddhism and thought the were fake monks. It’s a real shame and the other two groups of Buddhist in Thailand should come out and say that they don’t recognize this group as Buddhists before they ruin Buddhism in the eyes of the lay followers.
Jehovah's Witness but make it Buddhist.
^clearly doesn’t know Jehovahs Witnesses
Adam ^ Clearly does, bc my online bestie is one 👁 👄 👁
More like scientology
the guy where his wife pics were cut out of the album :(
Tell me those flags, the night parades and the thousand years thing don’t sound familiar...
The Jews will not replace us.
Every episode is so interesting, Really good work guys!
So we are just gonna ignore that a man ( the husband ) was donated 🤔 now thats big pimpin
A threat to Buddhism, the sect must be eradicated
In the old days monks would set up debates and others would decide who’s position made more sense. He’s too chicken tho.
How anyone can be so blind.... Not able to understand
www.jw.org/en/bible-teachings/questions/what-gods-kingdom-will-do/ .
20:22 "In this country, money can buy anything".
That is in all countries. Money can buy most things in all Countries.
It's written "Path to heaven" On the donation box,, just wow
As a Buddhist this hurts 😢
Abbot "DiMaggio", sounded like an Italian Mafia boss, and there he was, laundering stolen cash, wore sunglasses like the Mafia Godfather and hard to find..
Look - the role of the bowl is that you can get as much as people with put in your bowl. Before they were smaller but with the time they were getting bigger and bigger. And now? They just fill them up and put the food in the basket and then collect more 3:13
£300,000?!? I’m sorry, I get how a cult works, but if you’re my spouse and you’ve seen how hard I’ve worked day in and day out for that money and you give it away like that, we’re on bad terms FOR LIFE
Poor june, wonder what the gate keepers will say when she shows them her proud medals and paperwork.
That ending scene looked like a shot from a dystopian movie. Scary it is.
I live in the Dominican Republic and I'm interested in your episode ''Dominican Republic: Evil in Paradise'', I want to spread awareness about the problem of child prostitution we have, but I need a version with Spanish subtitles or a way to download the video to add them myself. Please reach to me, it would be a great help if the people who have to watch that video the most can actually understand what they are saying. I think it should be an option for all this documentaries to be sub in the language of the country you are talking about, if you want to promote real change. Sorry for posting on an unrelated video, I don't know how else to contact you guys.
The abbot's name sounds like an Italian mafioso 😂
This is blasphemous to the Buddha’s memory. I am repulsed.
There are so many of such people in India bringing out these supposedly "special /long lost" techniques and starting massive cults.
Sai Baba?
This is such old news. Spent my teenage years at this temple in the U.S. These accusations against the abbot started about 8 years ago.
Anyone who has any decent background in Buddhism knows that monks are not allowed to touch money. There are 227 precepts observed by a monk. The 10th is not to touch gold, silver, or currency.
Indeed. If I had to boil all 227 of them down into a single Grand Unified Precept (GUP), only of gedanken use of course, it might go something like this: "No living thing must pass judgement on any living thing."
Not killing an ant walking across the table means a larger form (human) must not judge and value its life more than a smaller form (ant), for example.
Not making up to be beautiful means not judging ourself that we're not as good unless look like someone we are not, or have something like someone else, for other example.
However, this GUP statement in itself is judgemental, because no living thing must tell any other living thing what to do, or what not to do. The apparant paradox means either that Buddhism is inherently self-inconsistent, or that the GUP is flawed and missing some otherworldly constant term.
I do not know the reporter and his work group but in all the videos they are always very professional and with a high quality of content. I love this channel
Is it just me or is there a bot or something in the comments section? She (I’m assuming) has replied to a lot of comments with a random link
Yea I see that same link in other video comments sections too, it's pretty weird
Maybe I missed it but what is the purpose of all those buildings?
Damn now that I see this. I dont think i can go back home and see my uncles and aunts. They literally go to this temple and worship him... I didn't think it was that bad. I thought it was just another rich temple.
No difference from been called and been told you have won $1 million!
www.jw.org/en/bible-teachings/questions/what-gods-kingdom-will-do/.
Main purposes is probably to launder money but also most people are stupid enough to donate because they think they will get some spiritual benefit from it
🐼 Big Bear Hugs from a 67 yr old grandma in Kirby, Texas, USA 🐼..
Once a religion is asking it’s believers to “Donate” sure. But, if they say you’ll be blessed and live a higher life if you donate, that is no religion, that is a CULT.
Donation is a means of helping, not to use as means of taking advantage of the false delusion of “self fulfillment.”
"Well believe me... *stares into the distance* ...i have a mole... *puts on mask* ... so drive on"
Scam.
I think it is a stretch to call them a 'cult'. It's more of a revivalist buddhist movement.
You can't distill everything into 30mins with a easy answer.
Also like they said all monks and temples rely on donation. Either food or money.
@@niamh7180 what can get by copy paste.
Better title will get more views, but amazing reportage
I adore Marcel Theroux for his being in the thick of it, never giving attitude or ask if anyone's crazy for giving away thousands.
In Ukraine's Underground children, he squeezed into openings not much bigger than a basement window. The smell of glue, so overwhelming, he was there 5-7 minutes then out. The kids quickly followed. I saw Marcel
as an older brother, an uncle, a dad figure who was listening. When's the last time any of them were spoken to with such care & concern without yelling, cursing or being hit? Slavic, who said he didn't want to drink, was caught by Marcel. I detected Marcel was disappointed with the 16-year old.
I am my mother's son, can't change myself. The 14-yo gf seemed to have an epiphany after his "I have nobody to support me."
If Oksanna could get herself out of the gutter, get sober, get her daughter back & create a new, clean family, it IS possible!
Marcel reported on the Japanese Pin-up girls and there's no question how he feels about that.
Marcel Theroux, thank you for bringing back the integrity of journalism. The TRUTH DOES matter!
I saw the banners with the eagles wings that look exactly like Nazi banners from WWII. Suddenly makes sense.
That's right 👍 brainwashing of cult big company
Never stop making videos Marcel
19:23 minimally this sect of Buddhism is unwittingly or wittingly by the evil in some of their members, stuck in greed. Which anyone studying Buddhism knows greed is a deep taint that must be uprooted. This sect has let greed soak into their sect. This causes them their backlash, and they cannot deny this, but need to overcome this, and repay their members wishing to be repaid their money donations.
In the historical Buddhism discourses, in the Pali Canon, donating places for the monks to live and stay, while the monks moved around from place to place, this happened during the Buddha's time.
Donating straight money to the monks/nuns, I've read nowhere in the Pail Canon as yet.
Suffering is the deciding factor.
If whatever relationship the monks are causing to the followers, which is suffering, then the monks have to resolve this.
In cases involving disagreement between spouses of their joint donating of riches or money to the sect, the backlash of suffering to either spouse is the most important fact.
All ex follower instance of suffering, ought to be resolved by this sect of Buddhism.
Greed is one of the greatest taints to overcome, and a sect that causes suffering from their greed, is wrong.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TODAY:
Anyone can today study in well written/translated English, the Pali Canon and read the discourses of the Buddha, as if one is being taught by the Buddha themself!
I suggest anyone interested in Buddhism take advantage, if they are English speaking, with the beautifully published volumes of the Pali Canon published by Wisdom Publications. And additionally, anyone can listen to the full works spoken in well spoken English of these modern translations.
Audible has the majority of the Pali Canon in audible books, to listen to.
I suggest just listen to the good modern translations of the Pali Canon, learn Buddhism that way.
Thanks for documentary.
I thought that monks were supposed to be peaceful and honest, not tackling soldiers or embezzling money...
Monk millionaire of world 😁
15:55
Also: she needed the west and its consumerism to make this kind of money. I am also wondering how much her workers are making? How their karma lets them live, what kind of level of lifestyle?
It was said once, that "religion is the opium of the people." Following in faith is, thus, an addictive behavior of sorts. Funny things happen when someone is addicted to something. AA teaches us that, to become sober, one must first admit they are powerless to themselves. The first of the Four Noble Truths teaches us that, to cease suffering, one must first admit to themself that they are suffering. Consumerism, capitalism, and karma are, thus, a merry-go-round called denial.
Dear Western media - if these allegations are true, how is Vatican any different? They even created their own country so no one dares ask any questions. Does anyone know how they spend their money and what is Pope's worth?
I hope this channel gets the attention it deserves soon
nevermind lmao I just realized this is channel 4, you guys have plenty of attention already. Still good shit.
People were critical to the ways of obtaining donation.
But the essense of the Dhammakaya is the precious meditation method of attaining the 'direct experience' of Jhana and Wisdom through the samatha and Vipassana stages.
It is a precious tradition derived from the lost tradition of esoteric Theravada. As a Buddhist who study serenity and insight meditation, vijja Dhammakaya method is very precious.