Santi Asoke
Thai Theravada Buddhist sect (1975-) / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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The Santi Asoke (Thai: สันติอโศก "Peaceful Ashoka") is an ascetic sect of Theravada Buddhism that was established by a former television entertainer and songwriter Phra Bodhirak after he "declared independence from the Ecclesiastical Council in 1975".[1][2][3] He had originally ordained within a monastery recognized by the sangha, but left to form his new sect, which he sees as a mixture of Theravada and Mahayana Buddhism. The Santi Asoke has been described as "a radical sectarian movement" that "reflects the forest tradition's ideals of simplicity".[2] Santi Asoke members are strict vegetarians and live an ascetic life. They desire to help people attain "peace without suffering" and lead society back to the basics of Buddhism devoid of superstition.[1]