Monk Expelled from Wutai Mountain Temple After Throwing Rice in Dispute
A recent incident at the Tianzongsi Temple in Wutai Mountain has sparked widespread attention and debate, after a monk, Shi Certain-Whole, was involved in a dispute with another monk, Shi Certain-Dao, over the location for making offerings. The disagreement led to Shi Certain-Dao throwing rice out of the hall, resulting in an investigation and disciplinary actions by the local authorities. According to the investigation, the throwing of rice was not permitted in that area and the monk had not obtained the necessary permission from the temple administration.
2 July 2025
The temple's regulations state that offerings from followers are supposed to be received uniformly at the Temple's Wenshu Hall, but Shi Certain-Whole had led his followers into the Tianwang Hall to offer rice, causing the disagreement. The incident was handled swiftly by the Wutai Mountain Scenic Area United Front Religious Bureau and the Wutai Mountain Buddhist Association, which launched an investigation and took disciplinary action against the monks involved. The head of the Zhongtai Yanjiao Temple, Master Shi Moumian, received a warning and was subject to an admonishment, while the monk involved in the incident, Master Shi Daodao, was given a leave of absence and removed from the temple. He has since left Wutai Mountain and has been advised to return to his hometown.
The incident highlights the importance of maintaining social harmony and respecting the rules and regulations of temples and other public areas. The local government emphasized that the throwing of rice was only allowed in designated areas and with permission from the temple, and that unauthorized throwing of rice could result in serious consequences, including damaging the temple's reputation and affecting social harmony. The government also warned that if such incidents were to occur again, they would result in severe penalties, including fines and imprisonment.
The event has drawn attention to the significance of maintaining cultural and religious practices in a socially acceptable manner, ensuring the preservation of cultural heritage and promoting social cohesion. The public's reactions to the incident are divided, with some appreciating the temple's handling of the situation and others expressing concern that the monk's behavior reflects deeper issues within the temple's management, necessitating calls for greater supervision and reform. A considerable number of individuals have commended the temple's decision to expel the monk, while a significant portion of the public is using this incident to point out the lax management within some temples, emphasizing the need for stricter regulation and reform to protect the essence of Buddhism from being tarnished.
The incident serves as a reminder to respect the rules and regulations, and to promote a culture of harmony and mutual respect within society. It emphasizes that such rules and regulations are in place to ensure the well-being and safety of everyone, and that their violation could have severe consequences. The importance of upholding the principles of Buddhism and maintaining the integrity of religious institutions is also highlighted, showing that there is a segment of the public that values the purity of religious practices and is willing to speak out against perceived violations of those principles. In general, the incident highlights the importance of respecting cultural and religious practices, and adhering to the rules and regulations that govern these practices, to ensure social harmony and maintain the rich cultural heritage of China.
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