The monks explained that the discovered corpses belonged to individuals who had pledged their bodies to the temple before dying. - Weibo
BEIJING (SCMP): An abbot at a Thai temple has shocked social media after being caught concealing at least 73 corpses, which he claimed were used to “train” monks in meditation.
Adding to the bizarre discovery, over 600 crocodiles were found in a pond on the temple grounds, leaving many astounded.
On Nov 22, Thai police conducted a raid at the famous Thiphaksong Pa Sangnayatham temple in Pho Thale, located in the southwestern part of Phichit province, central Thailand, where they unearthed 41 bodies.
According to local reports, the temple, situated in a serene forest and spanning about 16,000 square metres, was renowned for its spiritual practices and supported by numerous devotees, with the land even being donated by followers.
The expansive temple grounds feature an open-air meditation centre, four dining halls for visitors and monks, and several bamboo meditation pavilions, where police found 4-5 coffins in each one.
Additionally, the temple’s courtyard boasts a massive crocodile pond housing over 600 crocodiles, reportedly serving as a wishing well.
Surrounded by high fences, the crocodile pond is inaccessible to visitors, who can only observe and practice from a distance.
Monks at the temple explained that the discovered corpses belonged to individuals who had pledged their bodies to the temple before their deaths, most of whom were either disciples of the temple or family members of these disciples.
To validate their claims, the monks presented death certificates and donation agreements to the police.
However, adding to the shocking discovery, on Nov 26, authorities found an additional 32 corpses at another temple in the Bang Mun Nak district in the southern part of Phichit province.
It was later revealed that both temples were associated with the abbot, Phra Ajahn Sai Fon Pandito, known for his teachings on “clairvoyance” and “super hearing” during his visits to various temples.
The abbot defended himself against accusations of illegal activities, claiming that the corpses were used as a form of “death awareness” training in meditation, helping monks confront and overcome their fear of death, thus deepening their spiritual practice.
He further described this method as his personal “innovation” and emphasised that it was intended to enhance the monks’ mental resilience and discipline. He also noted that many monks had visited to learn this unique meditation technique.
Currently, police have seized the corpses, ordered the temples to cease all related activities, and initiated investigations into the identities and origins of the bodies.
Concurrently, the National Office of Buddhism Thailand has launched an inquiry into the matter.
The revelations reported by the online Khaosod Newspaper left Chinese social media astounded after being reposted in China, sparking a flurry of queries.
“I can’t even begin to imagine how you ‘train meditation’ with corpses,” one person commented.
“How do they feed the crocodiles? Managing over 600 must be a full-time job!” another asked.
“Wait, wouldn’t the stench from rotting bodies in Thai weather be unbearable? That’s more than meditation training; that’s torture!” wrote a third person. - South China Morning Post
