Unreported World

On Unreported World, their critics say they are a money-obsessed cult.

They say they are an international force for good

that's updating Buddhism for the modern world.

Before lockdown, Marcel Theroux travelled to Thailand

to investigate the controversial Dhammakaya movement.

I'm at the heart of Thailand's most controversial Buddhist sect

as tens of thousands of its most fervent followers

celebrate its 50th birthday.

The Dhammakaya sect has 3 million devotees

and centres in 30 countries, including the UK and America.

I felt like I was on the set of a missing Star Trek episode

and I couldn't help feeling that this may be Buddhism,

but not as we know it.

They say it's modern Buddhism for modern times.

Their critics say they are a sinister, money-obsessed cult

led by a rogue monk who thinks he's God.

I've been invited to attend the sect's birthday party

by one of its most zealous devotees.

The Temple's had a lot of bad press

and can be quite suspicious of outsiders, so I'm hoping to blend in

with the faithful, which is why I've come here,

because there is a dress code.

Joom has her own clothes business.

She is just the sort of wealthy follower the Dhammakaya sect

is famous for attracting.

What's the reason for the uniform?

Thank you so much. Thank you very much.

It's dawn on the day of the big celebrations.

I'm with Joom for my first glimpse of the movement's

extraordinary heart.

The temple of 1 million Buddhists.

And we're not in the cheap seats.

Joom's paid for us to be close to the action.

Many of these people are urban professionals like Joom.

After the chanting, the monks descend to receive offerings

of food.

Joom wants me to share her offerings.

She thinks it will help in my future lives.

Buddhists believe in reincarnation

and that good acts like this

will improve their next lives

until they escape the endless cycle of rebirth and achieve nirvana.

But this sect has another focus.

Money.

I hop into one of the Temple's buggies for the next event.

It seems incredible that this was just paddy fields 50 years ago.

Now look at it. Calling it a temple doesn't do it justice.

The compound is ten times the size of the Vatican,

built with cash donated by its followers.

The actions move to the grand assembly hall,

where the faithful are meditating.

The Dhammakaya movement claims to have revived a meditation

technique lost since the time of the Buddha -

a big part of its appeal to stressed professionals.

There is one person missing from this celebration,

and it's a significant absence.

The abbot, the man who founded Dhammakaya Temple.

And there is a mystery about him.

No-one has seen him for the past three years.

Because he's on the run.

Commotion

In 2017, Thai soldiers stormed the compound with a warrant

to arrest Abbot Dhammachayo.

He was suspected of laundering £25 million of stolen cash.

The monks drove the soldiers back,

and Abbot Dhammachayo hasn't been seen since.

His representatives deny the allegations

and say they don't know where he is.

There are rumours that Dhammachayo has left the country or even died.

But he still has a place in the hearts

and minds of his followers

and a portrait in the temple museum.

Will we see him again one day?

His answer surprises me.

Oh, OK.

When?

Dhamma means teaching.

Incredibly, he seems to be telling me that the abbot is alive

and well and living nearby.

But he won't elaborate.

I go to talk to someone who can tell me more.

Dr Mano Laohavanich was once a leading member of the sect.

After 20 years, he claims he left because he thought the abbot

was turning the sect into a moneymaking cult.

Was there a key moment when you thought,

"That's it, I can't do this any more"?

You paint this dark picture of the Temple. The Temple followers I meet

are all, to a person, kind and open and willing to show us around.

Unlike the majority of Thai temples,

the Dhammakaya movement chooses not to publish its accounts.

Does anyone know how much the Temple receives and where the money goes?

Dr Mano takes me back to his flat.

He shows me a commemorative hammer that the sect gave to followers

who donated 200,000 baht -

£5,000.

That is 200,000?

That's a lot of money for a hammer.

200,000?! Yeah.

Donors were told the money went to new buildings.

Dr Mano claims the abbot has dreams of global domination.

Dr Mano, I have to stop you. I mean, that...

Comparing the abbot to Hitler is a pretty big allegation.

What evidence do you have that he is influenced by Hitler?

The Abbot Dhammachayo and the sect

deny all of Dr Mano's allegations.

I tell him one of the monks implied the abbot was still living nearby.

He says he can show me exactly where.

What's he doing down there?

Thailand's justice minister recently called on the police

to renew their efforts to arrest the abbot -

so far, with no results.

How do you know he's there? How can you be so sure he's there?

At the Dhammakaya sect headquarters,

the anniversary event is in full swing.

In signs and over the tannoy we're exhorted to give cash.

It's unimaginably vast, and I think the big surprise is the emphasis

on making donations to the Temple. There are offering boxes everywhere.

Behind me, there is

a big office that accepts gifts from Temple members.

And beside it is a massive queue for two cash points where

the faithful can get their money out.

Other Buddhist groups ask for donations,