［新明］四马路 15僧人‘集体化缘‘ ‘包围’公众讨钱惹议

Shion

Shion

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menthol28 said:
Just last few days 初2 I saw 1 of them at the Queen street at coffeeshop opp the temple order char siew rice... I scratched my head o_O and in full monks robe no less
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meat will be consumed for theravada monks if ppl offer it to them.

however i m not so sure with the act of buying meat for own consumption
 
Pearce

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农历新年期间, 四马路一带 出现15名僧人“集体化缘”,一遇 布施的公众,立即蜂拥而上,引 发公众质疑说如此化缘是否妥当。

本报接获读者通报,称有 僧人团在四马路一带出没,向公 众讨钱,有失庄重,让她觉得十 分不妥。读者表示, 化缘应该是让人随心行善, 而不应该是被围堵, 感觉有点“强迫性”。

记者于大年初三(12日)到 四马路一带的观音堂附近,发现 现场有至少上百名公众和信徒, 身穿僧袍的僧人团显得十分显眼。

据观察, 为了控制人流量, 观音堂在出入口处设置护栏, 而出入口的两处,成了僧人团重点关注的区域。

经记者仔细观察,僧人团的 站位十分讲究,其中几人站在路口,另几人站在观音堂入口处附 近,还有七八人则整齐列成一排 坐在出口处,还有一人站在队列尾端。换言之, 无论公众进出观音堂,必定会从其中一处经过。记者现场目击,有善信祭祀 后,经过僧人团,一旦停下或是 掏钱出来,一群僧人就会蜂拥而 上,纷纷伸手“化缘”讨钱。

据观察,虽然有部分公众不予理会,但也有不少人掏出2元 现金给对方,僧人们拿钱后才会 坐下或散开,并继续等下一位信众。

另外,僧人们似乎专挑老人家下手,其中不乏白发苍苍、行动缓慢的的乐龄人士,都会被 “包围”或者拦下。

公众余女士(80岁,退休) 就是被拦下的其中一人。对于僧 人团的行动,她表示新年期间不予计较。“我不在乎, 就当做新 年做好事了.”

拿到钱后, 迅速塞入布袋

记者发现,其中一名站在队列尾端的僧人最为积极, 多次拦下信众, 然后伸手讨钱。一旦信众掏钱, 他就迅速接过, 然后塞入随身布袋, 并转身离开。

附近摊饭也透露,一旦有人 拿出现金,必定会被围住,也有 僧人直接从信众手中拿钱。“公 众的钱还拿在手中,直接就被僧 人伸手抽走,真的很夸张。

广品法师: 僧人在外化缘
一般只会化食物非要钱

新加坡佛教总会会长广品 法师受访时透露,根据照片中 僧人的装扮,是南传佛教一 派。他说,僧人在外化缘时, 一般只会化食物,而不是要 钱。

“这是维护佛教尊严和好形象, 也避免取得的现金被滥用“

他称,如果经济上有需要,可联系相关组织协助。本地也有南传佛教的寺庙。

广品法师还提到, 外国组织要在本地公开筹款的话,得先申请准证。

纸巾摊贩: 生意受影响

四马路一带的纸巾摊贩受访时表示,不满僧人 团出现,指他们影响了生意。售卖纸巾的洪先生(49岁)告诉记者,僧人团 其实大年初一就已经出现,从清早待到晚上。

“他们一直缠着信众讨红包,还有人直接从善 信手中把钱拿走,完全没出家人的样子。”

他也指出,僧人们占据了进出口区域,让他们 难以接触到顾客,导致生意很差。
 
Pearce

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During the Lunar New Year period, there were 15 monks who appeared in the vicinity of Sima Road, "collecting alms" as a group. Whenever encountering alms-giving members of the public, they immediately swarmed around, leading to public questioning of the appropriateness of such almsgiving.

Our newspaper received reports from readers stating that a group of monks had been appearing in the vicinity of Sima Road, asking the public for money, which they found to be lacking in solemnity and highly inappropriate. Readers expressed that almsgiving should be an act of voluntary kindness rather than being surrounded or feeling somewhat "coerced".

On the third day of the lunar new year (the 12th), our reporter went to the vicinity of Guanyin Temple on Sima Road and found at least hundreds of members of the public and believers present, with the group of monks in their conspicuous robes drawing much attention.

Upon observation, in order to control the flow of people, Guanyin Temple had set up barriers at the entrances and exits, and these areas became the focal points of attention for the group of monks.

Upon closer observation by the reporter, it was noted that the positioning of the group of monks was very deliberate. Several monks stood at the intersection, while others stood near the entrance of Guanyin Temple. Additionally, seven or eight monks were neatly lined up near the exit, with one person standing at the end of the queue. In other words, regardless of whether members of the public entered or exited Guanyin Temple, they would inevitably pass by one of these areas. The reporter witnessed on the spot that after worshippers made offerings, once they stopped or took out money, a group of monks would immediately swarm around, extending their hands to ask for money.

According to observations, although some members of the public ignored them, many people took out $2 in cash and gave it to them. After the monks received the money, they would sit down or disperse, continuing to wait for the next believer.

In addition, the monks seemed to specifically target elderly people, including those with white hair and slow movements, who would be "surrounded" or intercepted.

One of the intercepted individuals was Ms. Yu, an 80-year-old retiree. Regarding the actions of the group of monks, she said she did not mind during the New Year period. "I don't care, just consider it doing a good deed for the new year."

After receiving the money, they quickly stuffed it into their cloth bags.

The reporter found that one of the monks at the end of the queue was the most active, intercepting believers multiple times and then extending his hand to ask for money. Once the believers took out money, he would quickly accept it, stuff it into his personal cloth bag, and then turn and leave.

Nearby tissue vendors also revealed that once someone took out cash, they would definitely be surrounded, and some monks would directly take money from the believers' hands. "The public's money is still in their hands, but the monks reach out and take it away, which is really exaggerated."

Venerable Guangpin: Monks Begging for Alms Outside

Generally, they only ask for food, not money

Venerable Guangpin, President of the Singapore Buddhist Federation, revealed in an interview that based on the appearance of the monks in the photos, they belong to the Theravada Buddhism tradition. He said that when monks beg for alms outside, they generally only ask for food and not money.

"This is to maintain the dignity and good image of Buddhism and to avoid the misuse of the money obtained."

He said that if there is an economic need, they can contact relevant organizations for assistance. There are also Theravada Buddhist temples locally.

Venerable Guangpin also mentioned that if foreign organizations want to publicly raise funds in Singapore, they must apply for a permit first.

Tissue Vendor: Business Affected

Tissue vendors in the vicinity of Sima Road expressed dissatisfaction with the appearance of the group of monks, stating that they had affected their business. Mr. Hong, who sells tissue paper and is 49 years old, told reporters that the group of monks had actually appeared on the first day of the lunar new year, from early morning until late at night.

"They kept pestering believers for red envelopes, and some even directly took money from the believers' hands, completely not behaving like monks."

He also pointed out that the monks occupied the entrance and exit areas, making it difficult for them to reach customers, resulting in very poor business.
 
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