News Forum - Thai man’s Emerald Buddha Songkran office party outfit is ‘inappropriate,’ monk says

[Thaiger]

A Thai man won 5000 baht for ‘best outfit’ at his office’s Songkran party in Udon Thani province yesterday, but a senior Buddhist monk says that dressing like the Emerald Buddha is “inappropriate.” The Emerald Buddha is a statue of the historical Buddha in a meditative pose, made out of the semi-precious stone jasper and …

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[palooka]

There is no positive spin that this guy can put up as a reason.

Dumb. 

[Vigo]

The monk assumes that the statue was being "made fun of". On the contrary, it was being celebrated. And of course as is common, whenever an argument is weak and the person has nothing really factual , the exposure to a potential lesse majeste issue is raised. There was no harm intended.

Yes, some religious devotees may be offended, much as in the west when people dress up as a nun or a priest for costume events. However, the monk should understand that his suffering is for him and not to be inflicted on others. The office guy didn't ridicule, and didn't disparage the monk's religion. The monk belongs to a religion which incorporates the use of idolatry and icon worship, so if someone wishes to celebrate the faith in an similar but alternative fashion it is just part of the activity.