In a southern region of Thailand in Trang Nikom Prateep Temple in Trang lives a 63-year-old monk named Itthiyawat Chotipanyo Suweerawarawut. He became an internet sensation when he posted on his Facebook page last Sunday telling the citizens that they now don’t need to personally drop by the temple to give offerings.
Source: Malay Mail
Malay Mail reports he expressed that worshippers now only have to make an order on the delivery app to get their offering delivered to the temple, and he would give his blessing through a video call.
Even though he was criticised for creating “lazy” worshippers, he is taking a stand by claiming that it was simply a matter of adapting to modern technology and allowing others to use technology to practice their faith.
The monk posted, “We are living in an era when people can now make offerings without seeing each other face to face, Buddhists make offerings through delivery apps and have food sent to the temple, then we bless them via a video call.”
Presenting monks with “gifts” or offerings like food or necessities is a local tradition called sangkhatan, which is believed to improve the donor’s karma.
A video then circulated of a FoodPanda rider delivering him an offering, sending him and the temple to local news as the citizens praised his good intentions.
Source: Malay Mail
Despite several local Thai netizens criticising him, the majority of them showed their support and even joked about sending a receipt to the monk before getting a blessing.
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