The ‘cute monk’ aspiring to distribute wealth to the needy
YOU may have seen this Buddhist monk with over 300,000 Facebook followers. He divides opinion with his expensive robes, photos of himself jet setting on aeroplanes and name-brand items in the form of iPhones, iPads and an Idoky suitcase.
His name is Kakada Sophorn (pictured, supplied) and his social media posts have earned him the moniker the “cute monk”.
“Do not use charit y as business and take the money to travel abroad and show off branded materia ls. Do not post Apsara-like gestures while shopping. Charit y is charit y and do not forget Buddhist dharma,” wrote one Facebook user, criticising him for his seemingly lav ish lifest yle.
However, the other half of Sophorn’s daily activity on Facebook tells a different story. You’ll see a monk who feeds the poor and cancer patients with various NGOs, also donating money to poor patients seeking treatment ment in hospital.
Ordained at a young age
Born into a middle-class family, Sophorn rn was first ordained at a very ry young age.
“I was ordained ned at about 10 or 11 years old d and I do not think about quitting uitting being a monk,” the 22-year-old, 2-year-old, who now lives in t he US, said.
With many Facebook users curious about where he gets ts his resources to do charity work and buy name-brand and items, he says ays that the Four our Requisites of Buddhist monks ks (clothing, food, d, shelter and d medicine) are e provided to o him by Bud- dhist followers. .
“When helpping poor people le and patients, s, I use some of my own money ney and some from m donors. I am invited to chant the dharma and to help poor people. When I am provided with the Four Requiquisites people offer, I can help elp children because ause I don’t want to o live with the wealth alone. ne.
“I know many any wealthy people who want to share their offerings.