Misunderstanding Arises from Edited Sermon
PUBLISHED: 15 Oct 2024 at 17:29
Renowned monk V. Vajiramedhia has addressed rumors regarding a connection to the controversial direct seller The iCon Group. Misinterpretations surged after a heavily edited excerpt of his lengthy sermon circulated widely on social media.
The founder of the Cherntawan International Mediation Centre clarified on his social media that the message conveyed during his speech was distorted due to edits made to a 72-minute sermon that was transformed into a brief video.
On March 12, executives from The iCon Group invited the monk to deliver a sermon at the meditation center in Chiang Rai, focusing on “The Secret to Being Rich,” aligning his teachings with the principles of dhamma for success.
During his sermon, he recounted a hypothetical scenario of a woman desiring immediate wealth without dedicating the necessary time for learning, emphasizing the importance of effort in achieving goals.
V. Vajiramedhia noted, “If you can achieve that, you are The icon,” making it clear that his statements were illustrative rather than factual.
His remarks received enthusiasm from the audience, which included CEO Warathaphon Waratyaworrakul and celebrity Yuranant Pamornmontri.
Through his teachings, V. Vajiramedhia advocates that true wealth comes from patience and perseverance, as shortcuts to success do not exist.
The monk expressed regret for any confusion his sermon may have caused and pledged to be more mindful in future communications.
He emphasized that the monks invited to preach at The iCon Group were not involved in the company’s business practices and encouraged the public to use common sense in interpreting the situation.
The controversy surrounding The iCon Group continues to escalate, as they reaffirmed their monthly tradition of inviting monks to offer teachings without endorsing the company. They also issued apologies to the monks affected by the ongoing discussions.
