God of small things
April 30, 2005

Phnom Penh: A fight between an elderly woman and a Buddhist monk over an allegedly magic turtle landed the monk in court on charges of impersonating a god.
The monk, Khong Chantha, 26, sold a turtle with Buddhist inscriptions carved into its shell to the woman for the equivalent of $1.60. But when the monk heard the woman had begun a business with the turtle, claiming it invoked miracles, he tried to reclaim it by force, and there was a fight, police said.
The woman reported the monk to police, who found a forged letter purportedly signed by the Prime Minister, Hun Sen, in the monk's possession giving government backing to Chantha's claim he was a reincarnation of Buddha.
The monk was released with a caution.
DPA

SMH 30-4-5

http://www.smh.com.au/news/Unusual-Tales/God-of-small-things/2005/04/29/1114635753885.html






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