Latest update in our local community on Ming Yi

Apparently, he owns labels such as Montblanc and Louis Vuitton! Hell my most expensive branded stuff is only Burberry! His rationale on this branded goods was this:

Quote:
The last 20 pages of the auditor's 120-page report reveal details of how the man had managed his personal finances. He was quizzed about his 'quite substantial expenditures', especially on brand-name goods from labels such as Montblanc and Louis Vuitton. His choice of hotels included top-end names such as St Regis, The Regent, Four Seasons and Banyan Tree.

Ming Yi's explanation for his lifestyle was: 'I think we are living in a modern world.' When asked what he meant by that, he replied: 'The modern world. I think the world is different, right? The world has changed. It's different.' He added: 'A lot of religious people, not only myself, are very different now.' He referred to the perception some people have that Buddhist monks should be garbed in torn clothes, remain in the temple and not 'go anywhere'.

Is this the correct thing to think of?

Quote:
He said that some of his spending was personal but he also bought things for friends, who would reimburse him. Justifying his preference for brand-name goods, Ming Yi said: 'You may say some of these things really last for a long time.'

The kind of hotels he stays in, the kind of branded goods he buys, I must say this "duty" or job is better off than any degree students looking so hard for a job in this current economy? In my opinion, he's right to say the world has changed. It has really changed into a place where greed is rampant. TT Durai was the first of its kind with its lavish golden taps. Now we have a branded monk? I understand the need to eat and have proper clothing and shelter, but I do not see a "want" becoming a "need". I believed probably even an Adidas bag can last as long (or even longer) as a LV bag!

Next, his argument of using people's private donations to him is very.. ambigious. Why do I say that? If you are a monk and I donated $10,000 to you, do you need $10,000 for a month? What do you need in your daily life? Probably just breakfast, lunch, dinner and transportation. How much does that cost?

I'm sure after this saga, more non-profit organizations (NPOs) will be under heavy scrunity in the eyes of the public. The one best thing I learn from SAF was, "do anything, don't get caught. You get caught, you pay for the price."

My exams are around the corner and I'm feeling the stress building up! I can't help but to worry as this is my final huddle before my graduation!