Fake monk called out, made to remove robes on streets of London

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Malcolm
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Re: Fake monk called out, made to remove robes on streets of London

Post by Malcolm »

SilenceMonkey wrote: Tue Aug 10, 2021 5:30 am
Malcolm wrote: Sun Aug 08, 2021 6:45 pm
Taikor.Taikun wrote: Fri Jul 30, 2021 8:34 am To some Buddhists, they feel obligated to protect the Dharma, the monastery, the Sangha, every images n names of the Buddhas n Bodhisattvas.
Verbally assaulting people in public is just rude, and possibly illegal, no matter what one's reasons may be.
Depends on the extent of the harm they've caused. If there is a cult leader brainwashing people and taking their money, I think behavior like hers would be warranted. Less than that, some fake tulku going around cheating people out of their money may also justify such verbal abuse. Fake monks on the street asking for money peacefully... maybe not. But if anyone was going to talk sense into them, it might be people like our chinese lady here.
Where I come from, people have a right to dress however they like, for whatever reason. And it is still assault, and it is still unlawful behavior.
Looking from another angle... If you wanted a fake monk or fake lama to stop deceiving people, how would you get them to stop? Would you stand there all day with them, holding a sign saying "Don't give him money. He's fake."? Wouldn't last very long...
The only thing one can do is pass laws against panhandling.
SilenceMonkey
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Re: Fake monk called out, made to remove robes on streets of London

Post by SilenceMonkey »

Malcolm wrote: Tue Aug 10, 2021 1:38 pm The only thing one can do is pass laws against panhandling.
You seem to be a fan of publicly shaming Trump supporters and assaulting nazis. I'm not saying we shouldn't... I'm also not saying we should assault fake monks on the street. But I do think the Dharma is as important to protect as Democracy.

And of course this begs the question... How much of a threat are panhandlers in Buddhist robes, really?
Malcolm
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Re: Fake monk called out, made to remove robes on streets of London

Post by Malcolm »

SilenceMonkey wrote: Tue Aug 10, 2021 2:50 pm But I do think the Dharma is as important to protect as Democracy.

And of course this begs the question... How much of a threat are panhandlers in Buddhist robes, really?
The only way to protect Dharma is to practice Dharma.

If panhandlers in Buddhist robes were really a threat to the Dharma, the Dharma would have vanished more than 2000 years ago. There are have been imposter monks for as long as there has been a real Buddhist sangha.

No, far more dangerous to the Dharma than beggars wearing religious clothes panhandling in the streets are corrupt bhikṣus, whose only discipline is wearing robes without maintaining the vows they represent, while they collect money from naive devotees for their various monastery projects.
SilenceMonkey
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Re: Fake monk called out, made to remove robes on streets of London

Post by SilenceMonkey »

Malcolm wrote: Tue Aug 10, 2021 4:24 pm
SilenceMonkey wrote: Tue Aug 10, 2021 2:50 pm But I do think the Dharma is as important to protect as Democracy.

And of course this begs the question... How much of a threat are panhandlers in Buddhist robes, really?
The only way to protect Dharma is to practice Dharma.
Well... that's clearly not true. There are many means of protecting the Dharma. Other than that, I would tend to agree with what you wrote.
Malcolm
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Re: Fake monk called out, made to remove robes on streets of London

Post by Malcolm »

SilenceMonkey wrote: Tue Aug 10, 2021 11:57 pm
Malcolm wrote: Tue Aug 10, 2021 4:24 pm
SilenceMonkey wrote: Tue Aug 10, 2021 2:50 pm But I do think the Dharma is as important to protect as Democracy.

And of course this begs the question... How much of a threat are panhandlers in Buddhist robes, really?
The only way to protect Dharma is to practice Dharma.
Well... that's clearly not true. There are many means of protecting the Dharma. Other than that, I would tend to agree with what you wrote.
It’s clearly true. How can a person who does not practice the Dharma protect it? In any case, the Dharma, as a relative institution, is compounded and therefore impermanent.
PeterC
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Re: Fake monk called out, made to remove robes on streets of London

Post by PeterC »

The UK has anti-vagrancy laws. Unless you're collecting for a registered charity, if you're begging for money on the streets you're breaking the law. Whether you're wearing a monk's robes, rags or a clown outfit doesn't really make a difference. If the lady had an issue with beggars she should just have called the police on him, and pointed out to them not to assume he's a monk.
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Taikor.Taikun
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Re: Fake monk called out, made to remove robes on streets of London

Post by Taikor.Taikun »

SilenceMonkey wrote: Sun Aug 08, 2021 5:17 pm I've been thinking about this one... And have come to the conclusion that the world needs Dharma protectors.

What form these protectors take and how we should protect the Dharma, these are important questions. I'm wondering what people's views are on this?

Is exposing fake monks an illegitimate form of Dharma protection? And do Protectors have to be nice?
Many ppl r silently acting as Dharma Protector.

Some ppl will patrol dark carpark n escort fellow members. They r guarding n protecting the sacred areas.

Some will advise ppl to keep their voice down in a Dharma Assembly, correct fellow members’ mudra, remind others to tuck in the chair after a meal or reading… but r showing annoyed face. Some lay followers or visitors may feel offended. Their service can b helpful n we need such ppl sometimes cos i have seen ppl keep talking in a solemn Dharma Assembly even though reproached several times. But most of the time we need nice ppl that achieve the same result. One can achieve ‘perfection’ by showing a more gentle demeanour n yet still efficient in keeping things in order.

Spiritual Dharma Protectors usually have fierce appearances but as human, we got to b tactful
Learning
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Joined: Wed Aug 25, 2021 12:27 am

Re: Fake monk called out, made to remove robes on streets of London

Post by Learning »

She's like a Karan, but for monks.
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