A large majority of people believe fake monks are involved in stirring up the situation at Wat Phra Dhammakaya in Pathum Thani, according to an opinion survey carried out by the National Institute of Development Administration, or Nida Poll.
The poll was conducted on Mar 2-3 on 1,250 people aged 18 and over of different levels of education and occupations throughout the country.
Asked whether they believe the situation at Wat Phra Dhammakaya has been stirred up by fake monks, most of the respondents, or 71.28%, said "yes"; 15.28% said "no"; and, 13.44% were uncertain or had no comment.
To the question of whether monks who are concerned in the ongoing situation at Wat Phra Dhammakaya should have their monk certificates checked by the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) and National Office of Buddhism (NOB) officials, a huge majority, 93.76%, said "yes", reasoning that it was a way of preventing fake monks from getting involved to create an untoward situation; 4.8% said "no", saying that it would be a violation of the rights of individuals; and, 1.44% were uncertain or had no comment.
Asked whether they believe Wat Phra Dhammakaya has run short of food and medicine, most of the respondents, 71.44%, said "yes"; 14.4% said "no"; and, 14.16% were uncertain or had no comment.
Asked whether they think the legal cases against Wat Phra Dhammakaya were linked to politicians, most or 70.96% said they believed so; 13.3% believed they were not linked; and, 15.44% were uncertain or had no comment.
Source: bangkokpost.com
