Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

SIPA USA/PA Images

Shoppers warned to watch out for 'fake Buddhist monk' asking for money around Dublin

The man is known to gardaí and Dublin City Council for pestering people around the Grafton Street and O’Connell Street areas.

THE IRISH BUDDHIST Union (IBU) has warned people in Dublin city centre not to be conned by a fake monk who asks people for money.

The man is known to gardaí and shopowners for pestering people around the Grafton Street and O’Connell Street areas. He is dressed in full Buddhist robes and carries around a trinket in which he collects cash.

He is claiming that the money is a donation for his school.

The IBU was contacted by members of the public in recent weeks who wanted to know if the man was really a monk.

The IBU explained that some teachers may look for donations to rent out rooms/areas for meditation or services but that it would never approach people on the street looking for money in this way.

Reverend Myozan Kodo Kilroy, president of the Irish Buddhist Union, an umbrella group for Buddhist organisations in Ireland, said the public needs to be wary when giving money to people purporting to be collectors for Buddhism.

Speaking to TheJournal.ie, he said: “The public need to be wary of people presenting themselves as Buddhist clergy with next to no credentials at all. The problem of fake Buddhist clergy approaching the public for money has become a problem in many North American cities, and it has just recently arrived in Ireland.

“It brings legitimate Buddhist clergy into disrepute, and that is a matter of concern. A few simple questions can help you identify if you’re dealing with a fake Buddhist monk or not. What school of Buddhism are they from? Where is their centre of practice in Ireland? Who was their teacher? If they’re vague on any of these questions, the chances are they are fake.”

Anyone with concerns are urged to contact the Irish Buddhist Union at ibu.ie.

“Certainly, with Buddhism growing so quickly in Ireland, the public need to be certain that they are dealing with genuine Buddhist monks and teachers, with the authority to teach and from a genuine tradition.

“There are fakes and chancers out there, sure. But people also need to know that most Buddhist organisations and teachers in Ireland are genuine, can be trusted, and are offering teachings that can help us all enrich our lives, find peace within ourselves, and contribute positively to the wider society,” the reverend added.

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Close
36 Comments
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic. Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy here before taking part.
Leave a Comment
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute John Flood
    Favourite John Flood
    Report
    Jul 20th 2021, 10:14 PM

    Exciting technology but please don’t call these passengers “astronauts”!

    129
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Larry Betts
    Favourite Larry Betts
    Report
    Jul 20th 2021, 10:23 PM

    @John Flood: Space cadets

    113
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Sean Kirwan
    Favourite Sean Kirwan
    Report
    Jul 20th 2021, 11:16 PM

    @John Flood: pretty sure anyone that leaves earth’s atmosphere is an astronaut.

    30
    See 1 more reply ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute James Ward
    Favourite James Ward
    Report
    Jul 21st 2021, 1:02 AM

    @Sean Kirwan: That’s what the discussion is about – both went above the original Karman line where aeronautics stop working (wing lift) and astronautics kick in (speed is needed), but way before a stable orbit. Like calling yourself an aeronaut because you took a flight to Spain, these guys were all exactly what passive human cargo always – passengers in an Astroplane/Rocket.

    24
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute William Tallon
    Favourite William Tallon
    Report
    Jul 20th 2021, 9:46 PM

    To the left of the ‘s’ and the right of the ‘e’?

    55
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Larry Betts
    Favourite Larry Betts
    Report
    Jul 20th 2021, 9:52 PM

    @William Tallon: orbit further than that

    28
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute William Tallon
    Favourite William Tallon
    Report
    Jul 20th 2021, 10:04 PM

    @Larry Betts: A pretty sharpish reply there! Your definitely keen on these puns. Sharp as well, sharper than a newly sharpened edge even…

    18
    See 5 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Larry Betts
    Favourite Larry Betts
    Report
    Jul 20th 2021, 10:21 PM

    @William Tallon: Sharper than a sharpened talon I would suggest

    9
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute William Tallon
    Favourite William Tallon
    Report
    Jul 20th 2021, 10:31 PM

    @Larry Betts: They don’t come much sharper…

    8
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Paul Gorry
    Favourite Paul Gorry
    Report
    Jul 20th 2021, 10:35 PM

    @William Tallon: I can categorically state that no one on the journal is as sharp as Larry betts lol. Him excellent.

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Larry Betts
    Favourite Larry Betts
    Report
    Jul 20th 2021, 10:37 PM

    @Paul Gorry: Thanks for your recommendation. PG tips are always welcome

    9
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Paul Gorry
    Favourite Paul Gorry
    Report
    Jul 20th 2021, 10:39 PM

    @Larry Betts: ye see this is what I mean! The proof is in the pudding ha ha.

    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mick Tobin
    Favourite Mick Tobin
    Report
    Jul 20th 2021, 11:14 PM

    Perhaps in order to reach space you need to risk burning up in the earth’s atmosphere in order to return, and if this is the case then neither Branson nor Bezos pulled it off, and likely it’s Elon Musk who’s biding his time, to eventually put people into a one-round orbit to claim the ultimate and perhaps only fair prize of the first real tourist space trip.

    25
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Tony Gordon
    Favourite Tony Gordon
    Report
    Jul 20th 2021, 11:43 PM

    @Mick Tobin: and if an orbit is what’s required, then you’d have to rewrite the history books (Shepard and Glenn didn’t make it)

    6
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute John Considine
    Favourite John Considine
    Report
    Jul 21st 2021, 12:14 AM

    @Mick Tobin: Mark my words, Musk intends to orbit the moon on his first flight. He won’t land or anything, that’s been sold to NASA for 2024, but I strongly suspect he’ll go up in one of the earlier orbital missions.

    5
    See 3 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mick Tobin
    Favourite Mick Tobin
    Report
    Jul 21st 2021, 12:17 AM

    @Tony Gordon: Well maybe we can distinguish between different classes of astronauts, e.g. class N (Nasa 80km line – Brandon), class K (Karman 100km line – Bezos), and class O (completing at least one orbit).

    6
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Dave O'Keeffe
    Favourite Dave O'Keeffe
    Report
    Jul 21st 2021, 12:43 AM

    @John Considine: from such humble beginnings in apartheid South Africa. A true embodiment of the American dream

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Teddy Bear
    Favourite Teddy Bear
    Report
    Jul 21st 2021, 8:20 AM

    @John Considine: what do you mean by sold?

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Vincent Bickerstaffe
    Favourite Vincent Bickerstaffe
    Report
    Jul 20th 2021, 9:40 PM

    Anyone know what the Edge of Earth is?

    9
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Liam McDonald
    Favourite Liam McDonald
    Report
    Jul 20th 2021, 9:42 PM

    @Vincent Bickerstaffe: Leitrim

    194
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Dave O'Keeffe
    Favourite Dave O'Keeffe
    Report
    Jul 20th 2021, 9:46 PM

    @Vincent Bickerstaffe: near Bono usually

    42
    See 5 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute pkunzip doom2.zip
    Favourite pkunzip doom2.zip
    Report
    Jul 20th 2021, 9:47 PM

    @Vincent Bickerstaffe: Longford is outer space

    12
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Vincent Bickerstaffe
    Favourite Vincent Bickerstaffe
    Report
    Jul 20th 2021, 9:50 PM

    @Dave O’Keeffe: aha..good one..

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Vincent Bickerstaffe
    Favourite Vincent Bickerstaffe
    Report
    Jul 20th 2021, 9:51 PM

    @Vincent Bickerstaffe: 10:45.. ISS flying over head

    11
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Tony Gordon
    Favourite Tony Gordon
    Report
    Jul 20th 2021, 11:41 PM

    @Vincent Bickerstaffe: technically falling not flying

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Phil Redmond
    Favourite Phil Redmond
    Report
    Jul 21st 2021, 7:26 AM

    @Vincent Bickerstaffe: It’s round. It doesn’t have an edge or am I not allowed say that in case I offend some flat earth nutcase

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Matt
    Favourite Matt
    Report
    Jul 20th 2021, 10:32 PM

    Who cares its not relevant

    9
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mick Tobin
    Favourite Mick Tobin
    Report
    Jul 21st 2021, 2:13 AM

    @Matt: Not relevant to what? It’s obviously relevant to your online presence since you cared to comment.

    10
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Pauliebhoy
    Favourite Pauliebhoy
    Report
    Jul 20th 2021, 9:55 PM

    Down the back of the sofa?

    8
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute alan hickey
    Favourite alan hickey
    Report
    Jul 21st 2021, 2:52 AM

    Bezos comes across as an as hole compared t Branson

    9
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute David Dineen
    Favourite David Dineen
    Report
    Jul 20th 2021, 9:41 PM

    Your about two weeks too late, this debate was had when Branson blasted off to space,

    6
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Dave O'Keeffe
    Favourite Dave O'Keeffe
    Report
    Jul 20th 2021, 9:54 PM

    @David Dineen: pretty sure the edge of space existed before July 2021. It does in fact exist but its hard to define. That’s why there’s a 20km discrepancy, huge if you’re going point to point on a map but when you’re going up 20km is almost literally nothing

    20
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ken Loughman
    Favourite Ken Loughman
    Report
    Jul 21st 2021, 2:12 PM

    I cannot help but post this:

    https://youtu.be/lYSOmYyNHpU

    3
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Linus Robin
    Favourite Linus Robin
    Report
    Jul 21st 2021, 4:49 AM

    It’s wherever the Lord JB says it is I suppose.

    3
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Steve O'Hara-Smith
    Favourite Steve O'Hara-Smith
    Report
    Jul 21st 2021, 10:28 AM

    Regardless of where you put the arbitrary line I would say that you need to achieve orbit to be anything other than an over extended vomit comet flight. This is no more access to space than pole vaulting is access to high places.

    3
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Life in no motion
    Favourite Life in no motion
    Report
    Jul 21st 2021, 11:55 AM

    Two billionaires comparing the length of their rockets and how far they reach

    3
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute sean o'dhubhghaill
    Favourite sean o'dhubhghaill
    Report
    Jul 21st 2021, 11:46 AM

    Just outside Ballyhaunis.

    1
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.

Leave a commentcancel

 
JournalTv
News in 60 seconds