THE LOUIS VUITTON TOTING MONK
When a monk is caught flying in a private jet, wearing designer sunglasses and toting a Louis Vuitton bag stuffed with hundred dollar bills, people begin to talk. Almost overnight, a revered religious figure went from god-like to god-awful. As the lurid details unfolded, it was revealed that Wirapol Sukphol, a 33 year-old Thai Buddhist monk who claimed he could walk on water and talk to deities, was in reality a con-artist who had duped his followers out of millions of dollars. This misbehaving monk was not only accused of fraud, money laundering, drug trafficking and statutory rape, he is also wanted for manslaughter in a hit-and-run accident. Now a fugitive on the run, people are scratching their heads and wondering how this jet-setting monk rode under the radar for so long.
With 41 bank accounts linked to him and assets over $32 million dollars (including 22 Mercedes cars and villas scattered around Thailand), Wirapol Sukphol has allegedly also had sex with dozens of women and even fathered a son with an underage female. Possessing a melodic voice that is soothing, appealing and believable and implementing a get-rich-fast scheme that even Bernie Madoff would admire, he managed to convince wealthy Buddhists to donate piles of money for good causes, such as building temples and hospitals. But unbeknownst to the donors, he was keeping majority of the money for himself and the 36-foot Emerald Buddha that was supposed to be built of solid jade was in actuality concrete tinted green.
Every religion has had its scandals and embarrassments, and Wirapol Sukphol is probably no worse than Jim Bakker or Ted Haggard or countless other religious leaders who have personally profited from their followers’ blind faith. Despite their condemnation of others, their own morality is never questioned or challenged and their devotion to God is assumed. They are the pillar of society, representing decency and honesty, and are presumed to give more than receive. When they put on their collar and/or their robe and begin to speak, the crowd grows quiet … and all eyes are on this revered figure who is an expert at showing compassion and manipulating the masses. He knows exactly what they want to hear, and for only a few dollars, their sins will be absolved and their place in heaven will be secured.
Copyright © 2013 (Michelle Parsons, Getting Back on Your Path). All Rights Reserved.
