Council for closure of ‘illegal’ monasteries

Patna, September 1

After Buddhist monk Bhante Sanghpriya Sujoy was jailed for allegedly sexually abusing 15 boys of his monastery, the International Buddhist Council (IBC) on Saturday urged the district administration to close unregistered monasteries in Bodh Gaya.

Sujoy, a Bangladeshi national running Prasanna Jyoti Buddhist School and Meditation Centre in Bodh Gaya, was held on Thursday. All these students from Karbi Anglong district of Assam were admitted to his school for studies.

Pragya Bhante, IBC Secretary, said: “More than 200 monasteries have been imparting religious education in Bodh Gaya, but only 57 monasteries are registered with the International Buddhist Council. More than 100 monasteries are registered with the Bodh Gaya temple management committee.”

“We have urged the administration to debar unregistered monasteries. Sujoy’s act has tarnished the image of monks. We are ready to extend all help and cooperation to the SIT probing the case,” said Bhante. — TNS