Too Harsh: Ban on Visiting Monks at Ordination Platform Criticized; Chumphon Acting Ecclesiastical Chief Orders Investigation, Says Times Have Changed
Chumphon's acting ecclesiastical chief has criticized a temple abbot's ban on visiting monks during a funeral ceremony as "too harsh" and ordered an investigation into the dispute at Tham Pru Ta Kian Temple.
The acting ecclesiastical chief of Chumphon province has criticized a temple abbot's ban on monks from other temples sitting on the ordination platform during funeral rites as "too harsh," and has ordered an investigation into the controversy that erupted online. The incident occurred at Tham Pru Ta Kian Temple in Tha Sae District, Chumphon, where the abbot refused to allow monks from Khao Chedi Temple to participate in the ceremony, citing "temple rules." This sparked widespread debate among Buddhists and Chumphon residents questioning the appropriateness of excluding monks from participating in funeral rites, especially since both groups are disciples of the late respected monk Luang Pho Prong Chotigo.
On May 13, 2025, reporters met with Phra Kru Bundit Thammatada, the acting ecclesiastical chief of Chumphon province, at Koh Kaew Dusitiyarangsrit Temple in Muang Chumphon District. He stated that while he had not yet received formal detailed reports, any temple implementing specific rules should notify the ecclesiastical administration so they can assess appropriateness. He emphasized that times have changed and flexibility and dialogue are necessary in many matters.
According to preliminary information, the incident may have occurred because the funeral sponsor invited monks from Khao Chedi Temple without consulting or informing the abbot of Tham Pru Ta Kian Temple beforehand, which may have caused the dispute. Currently, many temples lack sufficient resident monks, so inviting monks from other temples to participate in ceremonies is a common practice. The funeral sponsor and temple should have communicated and reached understanding beforehand to avoid problems during the merit-making ceremony.
"If there really is a rule banning visiting monks from participating in chanting, personally I think it needs to be reconsidered because it seems too harsh. However, we don't yet know all the facts and I don't want to make premature judgments," Phra Kru Bundit Thammatada said, adding that the ecclesiastical administration would contact the provincial religious supervisor, district ecclesiastical chief, and the abbot of Tham Pru Ta Kian Temple to gather facts before determining further action.
