Sangha committee to warn Abbot U Thumingala

Chiang Mai (Mizzima) – The Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee has told Hmawbi Mingalar Monastery Abbot U Thumingala to report on Wednesday to receive a warning for holding a public event and giving a talk without prior permission.

In September, the abbot, who is known for his talks on developing a good moral character, held a public meeting for charity groups to exchange experiences. Abbot U Thumingala invited delegates of charity groups from across the country to attend the meeting.  A total of 2,500 charity workers including monks and people who do charity work in 10 states and regions, and interested observers, attended the meeting, according to the abbot’s webpage.
 “It seems that someone went to the Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee and made a noise about it. So, the Rangoon Region committee told the monk to come to them to receive a warning,” said an official on the condition of anonymity.

The warning will be issued because U Thumingala organized the event and gave a talk without receiving a prior permit from the authorities and the township Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee.

An official told Mizzima that some Buddhist preachers deliver political speeches in the name of a Buddhist sermon, which causes controversy.

“Some monks are weird. They are freaks. Those cases occur frequently, so before giving a sermon monks need to inform the authorities concerned and get a permit from them,” the official said.