The "Buddhism Office" launches a nationwide purge of monks encroaching on forest areas, urgently ordering reports on monastic sites located on state land within 15 days nationwide, aiming to properly rectify the situation across the country.
An urgent letter sent to the Buddhism Offices nationwide contains the following content.
Government agency: National Office of Buddhism, Department of Buddhist Sites, dated 21 Feb 2026 GMT+7.
Subject: Request to inspect temples and monastic residences located on state land.
To: Directors of Provincial Buddhism Offices in all provinces.
Following media reports concerning meditation centers or monastic residences encroaching on agricultural land reform areas, which are state land, without legal permission and inviting public donations.
to build monks' and nuns' quarters on these lands, potentially violating laws or regulations, directly impacting Buddhism.
The National Office of Buddhism hereby orders you to proceed as follows.
1. Survey and inspect all temples and monastic residences in your province situated on state land.
2. Verify which of these temples or residences are operating improperly regarding the use of state land, establishment, religious activities, or other issues, and check whether there has been any land expansion.
/how this expansion occurred.
/
3. For temples and monastic residences identified in item 2, report on any actions taken by the Provincial Buddhism Office.
Provide the inspection results and measures undertaken by your office promptly to the National Office of Buddhism.
In cases where expansion beyond authorized boundaries for temple construction or establishment or initial use is found,
please submit a report with attached documents of permission for expansion along with the precise location coordinates.
This is to be acted upon urgently.
Sources from the Buddhism Office report that this information has been officially sent to Buddhism Offices in all provinces nationwide, with results to be reported to the central office within 15 days, followed by further action concerning monastic areas encroaching on forest land.