Foreign Teacher Sparks Controversy by Secretly Teaching Religion to Buddhist Novices

A recent incident at a Buddhist temple in Thailand has raised concerns about the appropriateness of allowing foreign teachers to instruct novices and students in the English language.

A popular social media page posted a message questioning the suitability of bringing in foreign speakers to teach the language to Buddhist novices and students, only to have them secretly teach their own religion. The post sparked a heated debate, with many calling for greater scrutiny of foreign teachers and their intentions.

Temple Officials Respond to the Incident

Phra Palad Sarawut Thanwaro, assistant abbot of Tha Khlong Temple, revealed that the temple had initially agreed to allow foreign teachers to instruct novices and students in the English language. However, he expressed surprise and concern that the teachers had secretly taught their own religion to the students.

Phra Mahatanod Kantapho, the abbot of Wat Chan and chief monk of Pho Thong district, acknowledged that the incident had occurred and apologized for the oversight. He explained that the temple had intended to provide a language learning opportunity for the novices and students, but had not anticipated that the foreign teachers would use the opportunity to proselytize.

Novices and Students Share Their Experience

One of the novices who attended the class revealed that the foreign teachers had used interpreters to communicate with the students and had asked them to sing praises and follow their teachings. The novice explained that many of the students had not understood the language and had simply followed the teachers’ instructions.

Later, the foreign teachers had distributed books about their religion to the novices and students, and had even asked for autographs. However, the temple authorities had eventually discovered the true nature of the teachings and had asked the foreign teachers to stop.

Lessons Learned from the Incident

The incident has highlighted the need for greater scrutiny of foreign teachers and their intentions, particularly in sensitive environments such as Buddhist temples. Temple officials have promised to be more vigilant in the future and to ensure that any foreign teachers who are invited to instruct novices and students are thoroughly vetted and monitored.