On Monday, an accident involving a monk driving a pickup truck served as a reminder of the existing driving ban for monks in the northern provinces, imposed by the Northern Sangha Administration. Chiang Mai Office of Buddhism director, Monthian Khammee, reiterated the directive on Tuesday, following an incident in which a monk mistakenly put his vehicle in reverse and damaged several vehicles behind him.
The monk involved in the accident was identified as Phrakhru Pornchai Piyawanno, 56, the abbot of Wat Phra Phutthabat Siroy in tambon Saluang of Chiang Mai’s Mae Rim district. While the Supreme Sangha Council does not explicitly forbid monks from driving, the Northern Sangha Administration has implemented its own regulations in which monks are not allowed to take the wheel.
Director Monthian stated that an investigation would determine if Phrakhru Pornchai had any valid reasons for violating the driving ban. As a result of the incident, the monk will receive an initial warning. It has also been announced that Phrakhru Pornchai will personally cover the costs of the damages caused, rather than using temple funds.
Sanit Kitikorn, chairman of the Saluang tambon administration organization, mentioned that it is still uncertain whether the monk suffered from any illness or medical condition that may have contributed to the driving error. As the investigation continues, this recent event serves as a reminder to the monks of the northern provinces about the importance of adhering to the driving ban set in place by the Northern Sangha Administration.
The driving ban, which applies specifically to monks in the northern provinces, aims to uphold the values and sanctity of their roles within their communities. With the incident sparking discussion and reiteration of the ban, it is expected that monks in the region will be more diligent in following the regulations set forth by the Northern Sangha Administration, thus avoiding any further incidents or accidents in the future.
Public awareness of the driving ban has been heightened due to the accident, which offers an opportunity for community members to be more vigilant in observing and reporting any potential violations. The commitment to upholding the rules and maintaining the integrity of the monks’ roles is essential not only for the safety of the community but also for the preservation of their respected positions within the society.
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