Luang Por
In the wake of the 1997 Asian Financial Crisis, Wat Phra Dhammakaya and Luang Por Dhammajayo came under widespread criticism and an investigation from the Sangha Supreme Council. The main criticism was that the temple was using fundraising methods that did not fit in with Buddhism. One of the accusations investigated was that Luang Por Dhammajayo had moved land donated to the temple to his own name. The temple denied this, stating that it was the intention of the donors to give the land to the abbot and not the temple. During this time, a letter with the then Supreme Patriarch's signature was leaked to the press implying that Luang Por Dhammajayo had to disrobe for not returning the land. However, the authenticity of the letter was put into question. Eventually the Sangha Council declared that Luang Por Dhammajayo had not broken any serious offenses against monastic discipline ("Vinaya"). Despite this, the charged Luang Por Dhammajayo with embezzlement and removed him from his post as abbot.