Jalan Ampang - Just outside of Renaissance Hotel and about 5 min walk to KLCC
Do not feed the bogus monks!!
Travelers are prone to be sensitive to the religious practices of the country they visit. I am aware of that whenever we travel to another country, especially to Thailand where Buddhism is very much a way of life. I have often contributed to monks who solicit for food mainly in the form of rice in their morning rounds. As monks don't work for a living they usually depend on the goodwill of business people in their district for support and in return they bless their contributors with good health and fortune.
Buddhist monks make a life of denial to achieve the highest and purest form of existential living. Most choose to disassociate themselves from society which is full of greed and impurities in order to meditate their focus on being selfless. Their contribution to society therefore is measured by their mere presence - a constant reminder to the rest of us of being too caught up with trivial materialism, immoral living and selfishness.
Not so in Kuala Lumpur where Buddhism is not as institutionalized as in Thailand. Of late there is a growing (because it is so lucrative) number of bogus monks who focus their activity on approaching tourists walking around the KLCC and Bukit Bintang area. Their numbers are fast growing and they now expanded to 'sikus' (robed nuns) as well. My scanty observation puts the estimate of these predators in the region of twenty, with males slightly more than females. I am convinced that they all operate from a syndicate not unlike those who employ young street urchins to beg for money.
They look the part alright. Head clean shaven, yellow robed and extremely nimble they would appear out of nowhere to offer unsuspecting tourists worthless trinkets for a donation. Most of them would want you to write your details into a little booklet to give your act of generosity an air of authenticity.
Just like feeding monkeys around your neighbourhood. The more you feed them the more they will be encouraged and the more of their cousins they would bring. Nobody gets hurt no doubt. Most tourists would feel elated that they have done the temples a service as they would have contributed to inter-religious activity since Muslims, Christians, Hindus would be giving to Buddhist monks and nuns.
It is unfortunate that there are those would take advantage of the goodwill of others to feed their own greed.
So when you are in KL and walking around the KLCC and Bukit Bintang areas please remember not to feed the monks!! You would have done Buddhism a great injustice as you would have come away with the notion that Buddhist monks roam the streets to beg for money by selling trinkets. Bonafide Buddhist monks have better and more noble services to perform and they would be shocked and angry to know that those impersonating them can give them such negative publicity.
What to do?
1. When approached, refuse them and walk away quickly and definitely do not engage them in
conversation
2. Warn others!!
Remember: Do Not Feed the Bogus Monks!!!
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