The Santi Asoke Buddhist Reform Movement

The Santi Asoke Buddhist Reform Movement Of Thailand

This image was taken during the fascist People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) anti-government protests of 2008.

These 8 nuns were sitting on the footsteps leading up to the Makhawan Rangsan bridge waiting for a senior monk. He was listening to speakers on the stage setup directly on Ratchadamnoen Avenue in front of the United Nations compound in Bangkok. The nuns were sitting in various stages of impatience.

The Santi Asoke (สันติอโศก) was established by a former television entertainer and songwriter Phra Bodhirak after he "declared independence from the Ecclesiastical Council in 1975".

He had originally ordained within a monastery recognized by the Thai Sangha, but soon left with a small following to form this group, which he sees as a mixture of both Therevada and Mahayana Buddhism.

Described by Donald Swearer as "a radical sectarian movement" that "reflects the forest tradition's ideals of simplicity", the tradition also claimed an early influence from Buddhadasa, which it later rejected. 

Asoke later turns to play a part in politics. Phothirak has taken part in several anti-government protests, including that of the Yellow Shirts against Samak Sundaravej in 2008. - Wikiepdia

Moments after this photo was taken they realized that they were being photographed and their composure changed sharply.

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