A Buddhist temple in Phetchabun, Thailand has been rendered empty after its monks were all dismissed for failing a drugs test, according to BBC.
Four of the temple’s monks, including the abbot, tested positive for methamphetamine.
All four of the monks failed the drug test after police conducted urine tests on them, and they were removed from the temple.
Boonlert Thintapthai, an official of the province, said that the temple is now devoid of monks and the villagers are concerned because they can’t do any merit making, which is a Buddhist practice where worshippers get “protection” for doing good deeds such as giving monks food.
The local monastic chief then promised that new monks will be assigned to the temple.