HÀ NỘI The abbot from a Buddhist monastery in the northern province of Vĩnh Phúc has been suspended from his position for behaving inappropriately.

The decision was made by the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha (VBS)’s managing committee in the province after a meeting with the monk and local authorities on Saturday.

Thích Thanh Toàn, abbot of the Nga Hoàng temple in Tam Đảo District, was reported to have requested sexual favours from a female journalist.

He admitted committing the wrongdoings at the meeting.

The committee said Toàn’s behaviours besmirched the VBS and Buddhist philosophy, and weakened people’s faith in Buddhism.

The suspension is an initial action taken against his wrongdoings, it said.

Apart from the Nga Hoàng Temple, Toàn was reported to be managing the Địa Ngục Temple located inside the Tam Đảo National Park, which was not recognised by local authorities as a monastery.

He had received warnings from the committee for violations on construction and forest protection regulations, according to the committee. VNS