In harmony with nature, but not always
Forests are the ideal place for Buddhists to meditate and reflect on dhamma and man's relationship with nature. Thailand has approximately 6.000 forest temples. Many of them suddenly turned out to be in national parks and game reserves, when areas were given protected status.
The rules state that the monks must help conserve and reforest the land. Expansion of temples and other buildings is prohibited. Those who break the rules must leave the forest. At least in theory, because practice is tough.
In 1995, a national commission investigated the temples in protected areas. She mapped the forest temples and decreed that no new temples should be established after that year. Violators would be removed. But the issue was sensitive and hardly led to any intervention.
In 2009, the number of forest temples was found to have increased to 6.000. A plan to evacuate temples in drainage areas and protected forests has met with strong opposition. The then Minister of Natural Resources and Environment backed down. They didn't have to leave him, provided the rules were met. In December 2009, the ministry officially allowed those 6.000 temples to remain in the forests.
Complaints about new temples
Amnaj Buasiri, deputy director-general of the National Office of Buddhism, says most monks live in harmony with nature. “They don't destroy the forest or the environment. And they recommend forest conservation and reforestation when other monks visit the temples.'
But he admits that his office sometimes receives complaints about new temples and other irregularities. Officials always seek advice from the Sangha Supreme Council and Amnaj's office. "We urge them to take legal action when monks break the law." But Forest Department officials aren't too keen on that. They understand the intimate connection between Buddhism and the forest.
'Forest monks have been around since the Buddha era. In the past, the forest was just a forest without many rules or many restrictions. So there were no problems when monks went on pilgrimages or stayed in the forests. But times have changed. There are now committees with responsibilities. We do not resist their authority. To enter the forest or to change it requires permission from the authorities.'
Prateep Hempayak, head of Mae Nam Pachi Game Reserve in Ratchaburi, is confident that sincere forest monks in the reserve live in harmony with nature and help with forest conservation and reforestation. 'Reforestation by officials has always failed. The new plantings are destroyed or burned. Or villagers claim the reforested land. By preaching, teaching and by their deeds, the monks have succeeded in leading the people in forest conservation and reforestation.'
(Source: Bangkok Post, Spectrum, August 26, 2012)