Buddhist Guru's "Suicide" Now Murder
File under: Final Samadhi
After two days-worth of monk rioting, police in Mumbai have finally given in and refiled in the case of the "suicide" of Buddhist monk and spiritual guru Bhanta Mahathero. Now it is alleged he was murdered:
Supporters say that the spiritual guru was murdered since he was opposing a slum rehabilitation project on a land that was meant for a Buddhist shrine.We have to agree that it seems uncharacteristic for a seemingly non-wackadoo guru to off themselves. Conversely, it makes perfect sense that he'd be removed for hindering somebody's profit principle. Truth, as ubiquitous as it is, is sometimes no match for good old fashioned human greed.
Bruises found on the monk's body has strengthened their suspicion that foul play was involved.
“How is it possible that a [spiritual leader] who has devoted his life to others would commit suicide at this point?” questioned Bhadanth Mahathero, a Buddhist monk.
Labels: Final Samadhi
posted by guruphiliac @ 6:17 PM
3 Comments:
I doubt the monks concerned about this guy's death called him a guru. More likely that moniker was added by the Indian press, for whom gurus would be a more familiar phenomenon than ordinary buddhist monks. Theravadins don't have gurus, and by both his dress and the title "bhante" it appears this monk was part of that school of Buddhism. No clue in the article as to whether he was an abbot or held any other official position in his monastery.
From reading this one news article, I'm not sure this story fits here on guruphiliac, any more than the death of an ordinary jesuit monk or renunciant of any other tradition would.
I'm not sure this story fits here on guruphiliac
You may be right, but spiritual leaders in nondual or mystical traditions are gurus by the Western redefinition of the word, imo.
Plus, sometimes it's difficult to find items to comment on. This one squeaked by mostly because there wasn't anything better to offer.
I dont think it matters what his status is as a buddhist, he was working on a project that would be beneficial for others in the practice and or for those who needed care and compassion. Yes, why would he stop in the middle of this effort to kill himself.?
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