Monks seen at Apple store during iPhone 17 release, receive criticism from netizens
Like in previous years, many queued up to be the first people to grab Apple’s latest line of smartphones — the iPhone 17 series — during its release worldwide last Friday (19 Sept).
In Taiwan, however, customers were surprised to see monks among the people shopping inside an Apple store on the day of the release, sparking widespread criticism.
Source: Mirror Media
According to Mirror Media, a netizen captured the scene in a photo showing monks in grey robes inside the Apple Store, which was later shared on the Facebook page Baofei Gongshe Public Edition.
“Monks also come to snatch my phone from me,” the OP reportedly captioned on their post.
Netizens slam monks for buying latest iPhone
The photo received much criticism on social media, as monks are supposed to have simple lives that are free from material desires.
Translation: It doesn’t fit the impression of being free from desires.
Source: Dcard
Since monks receive an allowance from followers’ donations, one user believes they should only use this to buy necessities, adding that the latest iPhone is not an essential item.
Translation: Monks do not have a fixed salary, and their lives are supported by the temple and believers. The money he used to buy the mobile phone was most likely the believers’ money. It might be okay to use it to buy daily necessities, but he bought a non-essential item. A mobile phone is acceptable, but why does he need the latest iPhone 17?
Source: Dcard
Meanwhile, another commenter jokingly remarked that it is no wonder monks are drawn to Apple, as they are vegetarian.
Translation: Yes, after all, apples are vegetarian.
Source: Dcard
On the other hand, some users also think it is okay for monks to buy the luxury smartphone.
One user stated that mobile phones are needed to integrate with society and added that the monks were likely not buying new phones every year.
In Taiwan, the base model of the iPhone 17 starts at NTD29,900 (S$1,269) while the most expensive model — the Pro Max 2TB — costs NTD72,900 (S$3,094).
Monks in Thailand also spotted at Apple store
Similarly, a photo of monks inside an Apple store in Thailand also went viral over the weekend
The monks, who were wearing orange robes, were photographed in front of an iPhone 17 LED display.
Source: Reddit
Following the viral image, the former deputy secretary-general of the Centre for the Protection of Buddhism in Thailand, Phra Wattanavajiramedhi, said that, after running the image through an AI detection program, it was found that it was likely 94.9% AI-generated content.
As such, they cautioned followers to stay vigilant when consuming media, the Dailynews reported.
Also read: CEO of Chinese media company gifts iPhone 17 Pro Max to all staff, including interns & new hires
CEO of Chinese media company gifts iPhone 17 Pro Max to all staff, including interns & new hires
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Featured image adapted from Mirror Media.
