A Buddhist Supreme Patriarch who is still filled with HIMSA (anger)

Supreme Patriarch angered by questions on the decision to demolish the crematorium

Thursday, May 07, 2009
Everyday.com.kh
Translated from Khmer by Heng Soy
The 54-year-old crematorium at the Wat Unalom Pagoda was ordered demolished by Supreme Patriarch Tep Vong after the City Hall issued its goal of eliminating all crematoriums within the city limit. Tep Vong clarified that the demolition of this crematorium was done to follow the City Hall directive which indicated that all crematoriums must be relocated outside the city limit. Tep Vong said that Wat Unalom Pagoda is an exemplary pagoda, therefore, it must takes the lead to set the example for other pagodas in the city. At the same time, Tep Vong also reacted angrily to the questions asked by journalists. The Supreme Patriarch [who being a former Communist Party member, most likely, forgot that he is currently a Buddhist monk practicing AHIMSA, non-violence] proceeded to call the journalists: “puppets [a-yorng], ghosts [bey-sach]”. His reaction came about when the journalists were asking him about the decision to demolish this crematorium at Wat Unalom Pagoda. According to the City Hall plan, the crematorium must be moved to the Wat Russey Sanh Pagoda, located in Prey Sar commune, Dangkao district, Phnom Penh city, located about 15 kilometers from the city center. The new crematorium is modern and uses electricity.