Bangkok, Thailand - Santi Asoke, an unorthodox Buddhist sect, has decided to pull out from next month's religious ceremonies to mark Visakha Bucha Day at Buddha Monthon in Nakhon Pathom.
Samdin, a sect member, said yesterday that the group's decision to withdraw from the May 22-31event would help defuse tension and avoid a religious confrontation. Up to 1,000 supporters and members of the sect originally planned to help cook food for distribution to the participants during the 10-day fair.
The group's move comes after the Sangha Council remained adamant yesterday that it would not allow any member of the unorthodox sect to sit on the committee organising the ceremonies.
``To keep everybody happy our members will not proceed with the plan,'' said Mr Sandin.
Meanwhile, Maj-Gen Chamlong Srimuang, a staunch Santi Asoke supporter, noted that the Sangha Council's ruling was not considered final and urged all sides to stay put.
The council will meet again on April 20 to discuss the matter, he said.
Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra was expected to bring the matter before Somdej Phra Buddhajarn, who acts on behalf of the ailing Supreme Patriarch, he said.
All the Buddhist groups only agreed to take part in the event at Mr Thaksin's urging because the prime minister wanted to see unity in the country. We should also think how Mr Thaksin would feel,'' he said.
``Isn't it weird that we recently held a national merit-making ceremony for 5 religions? This is an event for Buddhists, still there's a conflict,'' he said.
Maj-Gen Chamlong, also chief of the morality promotion centre, yesterday called a meeting with the organisers of the fair to discuss the dispute. It was reported that they finally agreed that the venue was not important and that they should encourage people to do good.