PETALING JAYA: A group of Universiti Sains Malaysia medical students
has allegedly been brainwashed into leaving their studies by a Buddhist
monk.
Young Buddhist Association of Malaysia lay adviser Chong
Hung Wang said the student Buddhist association from the campus in
Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, had voiced its concern that around 30 medical
students had shown behavioural changes and disinterest in their studies
after returning from a trip to Thailand with the monk in August.
“These
students were led to believe that patients should not receive medical
treatment for their condition as sickness is the result of their karma.
“They are convinced that they should not become doctors as the act of treating patients will interfere with karma,” said Chong.
It
is believed that the monk had approached the students in March this
year and had gained a following through religious activities conducted
off-campus.
The monk also allegedly claimed that he had
supernatural power and was able to tell the past and predict the future
of the students.
“Compassion is central to Buddhist beliefs. What the monk had propagated about leaving patients to their sickness is wrong.
“We
hope to curb the spread of misleading religious beliefs among students
by creating better awareness on the true teachings of Buddhism,” said
Chong.
The students are said to want to leave the medical school and transfer to other programmes such as nutrition and sports science.
They are also having strained relationships with their family members following their decision to quit medical studies.
It was understood that some of the students were in their third and fourth year of studies.
A university official confirmed that three students had applied to transfer to other courses.
Vice-chancellor Prof Dr Datuk Omar Osman
said none of the students had received approval to switch courses and
the university viewed the matter of students being influenced by
misleading religious teachings seriously.
“We do not want the
students to simply switch courses because they are very good students
and had worked very hard to gain a place to study medicine,” said Prof
Omar.
He added that the university was reaching out to the students through counselling.
Element of newsworthy : Consequence
Who: A group of Universiti Sains Malaysia medical students
What: Brainwashed into quitting
How: brainwashed into leaving their studies by a Buddhist
monk.
Where: Petaling jaya
When: August
Why:-
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