Monks warned against 'planking' craze


The monk's comments came after a picture portraying someone "planking" while dressed like a monk. -The Nation/ANN

Fri, Jun 17, 2011
The Nation/Asia News Network

THAILAND - Phra Phrommolee, a senior monk in the Sangha Supreme Council, yesterday urged leading monks to prevent more Buddhist clergy from indulging in the Internet craze of "planking".

"Although there's no rule specifically against such activity, it's not an appropriate thing for monks or novice monks to do," Phra Phrommolee said yesterday.

The monk's comments came after a picture portraying someone "planking" while dressed like a monk spread on the Internet. The Network of Organisations for the Protection of the Nation, Religion and Monarchy yesterday condemned the picture, saying it had hurt Buddhism.

"Abbots and senior monks should monitor the clergy under their supervision. If they do any 'planking', they must be reprimanded and told not to do it again," Phra Phrommolee said.

Cultural Surveillance Centre director Ladda Tangsupachai urged parents to warn their children about the bad side of "planking" too.

"Planking can be harmful. In addition, it may violate the rights of others," she said.

Wikipedia defines "planking" as lying face down in an unusual or incongruous location. The hands must touch the sides of the body, and having a photograph of the participant taken and posted on the Internet is an integral part of the game.

Players compete to find the most unusual and original location to go "planking". The location should be as public as possible, and as many people as possible should be involved.

Source: Monks warned against 'planking' craze