2 temples & monastery in Thailand investigated for storing 85 corpses for meditation practice

Several monks in Thailand have come under investigation following the discovery of 85 corpses at two temples and a monastery in a series of raids.

Allegation that temple used corpses to teach children

The first discovery occurred on Nov. 20 at a temple in the Chanu Woralak Buri district of Kamphaeng Phet province, according to Thai media The Nation.

The unnamed temple was subjected to a raid after a prominent Facebook page for the province's communities alleged that the temple was using corpses for strange teachings to children.

During the raid, Thai authorities uncovered 12 bodies from burial sites at the temple.

Four of the bodies were decomposed while the remaining eight were only bones.

The temple's abbott subsequently admitted on Nov. 23 that they used the bodies to help children develop concentration and mindfulness, The Nation further reported.

He also said all of the bodies had been voluntarily donated by their relatives for use in his meditation class, according to Thai PBS World.

The police added that they were demanding evidence from temple staff showing that the bodies had been legally transferred, otherwise they will face charges of stealing and concealing dead bodies.

Thus far, relatives of at least one of the bodies have testified to the police that they had donated their family member's corpse for "dharma practice".

Monks alerted authorities to meditation practice involving corpses

Following the first raid, another raid was carried out at a monastery on Nov. 23 in the province of Phichit.

According to the Bangkok Post, some monks had alerted the authorities to the Pa Nakhon Chaibovorn monastery's use of corpses as a meditation aid.

A total of 41 corpses were uncovered at the monastery.

The head of the monastery, Phra Ajarn Saifon Phandito, was quoted by Thai PBS television as saying that the use of cadavers was part of a "meditation technique" he had developed, according to CBS News.

He said: "Many of the people who come to learn are abbots and all these monks... pass on the knowledge. I don't know how many have adopted my technique."

He also told another Thai TV station that practitioners of his technique meditate in pavilions that hold coffins with human remains.

Thai authorities are currently gathering information on the corpses and their storage to determine if any wrongdoing occurred, the Bangkok Post further reported.

The monastery has claimed that the bodies were donated by the families of faithful members.

The country's National Office of Buddhism has also been asked to evaluate the monastery's assertions to determine if it conflicts with Buddhist principles.

Second temple raided over connection with monastery

The second temple, Wat Pa Sivilai, was raided on Nov. 26, in relation to its connection with the Pa Nakhon Chaibovorn monastery.

This temple is also located in Phichit province.

The raid turned up 32 bodies that were reportedly used for meditation purposes, The Nation reported.

The temple's abbot said some of the bodies were voluntarily donated by individuals who had specified their wish in their wills.

He also provided death certificates and donation documents which are being verified by the authorities.

In addition, Wat Pa Sivilai faces charges under Thailand's Graveyard and Crematorium Act for improper handling and disposal of bodies.

Top Screenshot via Thai PBS/YouTube