UBON RATCHATHANI – “Is it appropriate for a monk to accept a donation of a BMW 750e, priced at nearly 7 million baht?” This question is particularly pertinent when the monk belongs to the Dhammayuttika Nikaya or Thammayut order.
This question has been widely debated on Thai social media after the Facebook page “Mae Chee Zhen Wat Pa Bo Nam Phra In” posted a photo of the nun and the temple’s disciples offering the BMW Series 7 to Luang Ta Sinsap Jaranathammo, also known as Luang Ta Sin Kid, of Wat Pa Bo Nam Phra In. (Luang Ta means Elder Monk)
Luang Ta Sinsap is a famous preacher at Wat Pa Bo Nam Phra In in Sirindhorn District, Ubon Ratchathani Province. He is known for his sermons that connect with the villagers, using simple language and content that keeps up with the country’s situation.
His title “Luang Ta Sin Kid” does not mean “thoughtless monk,” but he says this name is meant to convey that he is one who stops evil thoughts.
Regarding the offering of the BMW Series 7 to Luang Ta Sinsap, Mae Chee Zhen posted, “Since Luang Ta travels frequently for invitations, Mae Chee and all the disciples wanted to offer the most valuable and worthy vehicle. Therefore, we jointly purchased a BMW 750e to offer to Luang Ta Sinsap of Wat Pa Bo Nam Phra In for use in traveling to spread the goodness of Buddhism further.”
However, since monks in the Thammayut sect and those residing in forest temples are expected to have rigorous practices that are in line with the Vinaya (monastic discipline), to practice what is right and virtuous, and to be more detached from external stimuli than city temples, which are mostly in the Mahanikaya sect, the BMW issue has become a topic of debate in society.
Luang Ta Sinsap responded to the criticism on May 20, saying that he accepts donated items without caring whether they are luxury cars or not because he does not desire them. Donations are a matter of the heart and faith, not value. Those who attack him should gather information about him first.
“I have to force myself to sit in a BMW Series 7, to be honest. The word ‘appropriate,’ do you want people to offer bad things to monks? They bring good and valuable things to offer with their hearts. Why would I refuse? People have faith. Even if I don’t use it, they would be disappointed. Never mind a BMW, they would even dare to buy a Rolls-Royce for me,” he said.
Luang Ta Sinsap said he never thought of being ordained to live comfortably or be rich like when he was a car tent owner. Throughout his ordained life as a monk, he lived in hardship, fasting, and walking on pilgrimages in the forest with perseverance.
“Wat Pa Bo Nam Phra In has been built for 4 years and already has 700 kutis (monks’ living quarters). It takes care of 700 people who truly seek the Dhamma. This temple has no kathin, pha pa, or donation boxes. If I were not truly dedicated, could I support 700 people?” he said.
Luang Ta Sinsap also said that since his ordination, he has only done good deeds and has never done anything inappropriate. The things his disciples offer, he donates further. He has more than 10 cars, including 5 Mercedes-Benz. Donations amount to tens of millions of baht, which he donates without ever accumulating money or gold.
