After a fire drill in Thailand had resulted in an accident that killed a student, four firefighters deemed responsible for the death attended the victim’s funeral with “shaved heads and dressed in saffron robes, kneeling on the ground with their palms pressed together,” said an article in TIME.
In Thailand, the practice of buat na fai — temporary monkhood — remains generally accepted as a way of making amends for harmful acts. Over the past few years, though, Thais have turned wary that this method seems a mere remedy for bad behavior that taints the reputation of Buddhism, which repeated scandals have already eroded.
“Traditional Buddhist teaching says that ordination is the greatest merit (which can be transferred to the dead in afterlife), but it cannot absolve one’s sins,” the article said, quoting Katewadee Kulabkaew, a Thai Buddhist scholar who called ordination “an act of compensation rather than redemption.”
The scholar told TIME, “In order to show the society that you are tremendously sorry, caring, or deeply grateful for the deceased, you do your best by making the greatest merit for them.”
Ordination does not necessarily mean forgiveness in the public’s eyes, the article said. Last year, a 21-year-old police officer killed a woman after crashing into her while speeding on his motorcycle. Soon afterward, the officer and his father would attempt to use buat na fai to gain atonement, but public anger over reckless driving persisted. After only three days, public sentiment forced the officer to leave the monkhood.
A writer for the Bangkok Post elaborated, “This attitude does more harm than good to society, as it reinforces a notion that anyone — from individuals to government officials and politicians — can trade away their karmic debt through public displays of contrition yet continue to repeat those same illegal or immoral acts.”
The respect and honor given to monks in predominantly Buddhist Thailand has diminished in recent years. Most men, at some time in their lives, must briefly serve as monks, but now face more difficulties in gaining respect. Some criminals have used monkhood to stay out of public view, the article said.
“Reports of monks engaging in criminal activity — ranging from money laundering to drug trafficking and even murder — have further eroded public trust,” TIME said.
In the case of the four firefighters, most Thais showed sympathy and believe that negligence played a lesser part in the accident. Social media has also shown support and understanding for the firefighters. One person on Facebook went so far as to say, “I would like to congratulate the four people who were ordained for the younger brother,” and added, “I wish [the victim] will rest in a better world.”
